Pushkar is one of the few temples in the country dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator. Some say there are two, some say four, but apparently it is described in the scriptures as being the only one.
The temple dates back to the 14th century, but is believed to be over 2000 years old. For the enormity of the number, and prominence of being the only Brahma temple, it’s a temple which is still really small and pretty, and has been allowed to remain at original size.
The temple dates back to the 14th century, but is believed to be over 2000 years old. For the enormity of the number, and prominence of being the only Brahma temple, it’s a temple which is still really small and pretty, and has been allowed to remain at original size.
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| That's the whole of the temple |
It makes one curious how religion has evolved to focus on the other deities of the trinity, and the million other gods of the hindu pantheon, with even minor gods having multiple temples, but the creator has only this one, or at best the two or four temples, which are also from the 1st millenium.
Apparently the Tirth Yatra , the main Hindu pilgrimage, as described in the Mahabharata, starts from this Brahma temple, which was considered highly auspicious and important in the 1st millenium. But today it's more of a tourist spot than a revered temple, which made the visit very peaceful, but also made me wonder..... Is it because the task of creation is considered complete, that praying is now directed only to the preserver (Vishnu) and the destroyer (Shiva) ? Wonder what happens to being grateful....
Apparently the Tirth Yatra , the main Hindu pilgrimage, as described in the Mahabharata, starts from this Brahma temple, which was considered highly auspicious and important in the 1st millenium. But today it's more of a tourist spot than a revered temple, which made the visit very peaceful, but also made me wonder..... Is it because the task of creation is considered complete, that praying is now directed only to the preserver (Vishnu) and the destroyer (Shiva) ? Wonder what happens to being grateful....
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| The Pushkar Ghats |
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| A small temple in the middle of the lake |
The pushkar sarovar, which is the lake associated with the temple is considered extremely holy and has the typical pilgrimage feel to it. The holy
dips, the cows, the monkeys et al.
The lake is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills on three sides and is extremely picturesque. It is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats (stone steps that descend into the lake for the holy dip). There is one ghat named Gandhi ghat, as Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in this lake. A dip in the lake is believed to cleanse one of all sins and skin diseases as well.
The lake is surrounded by the Aravalli Hills on three sides and is extremely picturesque. It is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats (stone steps that descend into the lake for the holy dip). There is one ghat named Gandhi ghat, as Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in this lake. A dip in the lake is believed to cleanse one of all sins and skin diseases as well.
There's a story from the ninth century of a Rajput king who came across the lake while on a hunting expedition, and in order to quench his thirst he dipped his hands into the lake, and the leucoderma marks on his hands disappeared. To enable others access to the curative powers of the lake he had the lake restored to its original glory.
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| Janak Singh, our cab driver in conversation with a sadhu |
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| A camel in Rajasthani attire |
And pushkar has a real interesting footpath market; loads of funky clothes, junk jewellery, silver trinkets, glitzy bags......the chadaus, swords and knives add the rajasthani touch .....mehendi and hair braiding on the street....real fun stuff
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Very informative post. Thanks for sharing. The present Brahma Temple is believed to have been built in the 14th century, though the origins of this temple are believed to date back to 2000 years. Check out more fact about Brahma Temple Pushkar.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dimpy... Happy you liked it :)
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