Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Rajasthan India

Pushkar Lake is considered as one of the most sacred lakes of Hindus. The rest are Manas Sarovar, Bindu Sarovar and Narayan Sarovar. Pushkar Lake is embraced by Aravalli hills on three sides and has the Thar Desert on the other side. The semi circular Pushkar Lake covers an area of 5 km, and has a depth of 8 to 10 meters varying depending on the seasons. The total water storage capacity of the Pushkar Lake is 0.80 million cubic meters. During monsoon the lake is full with water and fish. During the British period crocodiles were a menace in the Lake; however they were captured and sent to a close by reservoir. Desert plants like cactus and thorny bushes grow around the lake and desert animals like Camels and cattle’s are generally around the lake to quench their thirst.

Pushkar Lake is popular due to its religious importance. It is believed to have been created form a petal fell out of the lotus in the hands of Lord Brahma. There are 52 ghats covering the entire periphery of the lake and the surface water flow is facilitated through arches under afoot over bridge. This bridge also covers the gap and allows the tourists to complete Parikrama or circling of the Lake. The Lake has 400 temples, many palaces and 52 ghats covering its entire periphery. Out of the 52 ghats ten ghats are very popular and they list as Varah Ghat, the Dadhich Ghat, Saptarishi Ghats, Gwalior Ghat, Kota Ghat, Gau Ghat, Yag Ghat, Jaipur Ghat, Karni Ghat and Gangaur Ghat. A portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were merged in the Gau Ghat as per his wishes and the Ghat is renamed as Gandhi Ghat. Thousands of devotees reach Pushkar to take a holy dip in the lake during Kartik month that is October-November. Kartik Purnima or the full moon day of this month is considered the most auspicious day by Hindus. The belief is that those who take a dip in the Pushkar Lake on that day are cleaned of their sins, diseases and also get off the cycle of birth and death and achieve Moksh or divinity.