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Rajasthan

Pushkar

Holy lake town, Rajasthan's backpacker capital

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Best time to visit Pushkar

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: October to February
  • Shoulder: March and July to September, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: April to June

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryOctoberNovemberDecember

Pushkar season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Cool lake mornings, full-moon aarti, and the Camel Fair crowd. This is peak Pushkar.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Shadeless streets and 42C afternoons make the lake ghats unbearable by midday.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Quiet and green with the lake replenished, though July heat lingers before real relief.

Autumn October to November Prime time

The Camel Fair in November draws huge crowds; October is calmer and still pleasant.

What Pushkar is actually like

Lake-ghat cafes and yoga classes. One of India's easiest towns to travel solo.

Things to do in Pushkar

The local places worth your time in and around Pushkar, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Jagatpita Brahma Mandir

    Temple · in town

    One of the very few Brahma temples anywhere; shuts roughly 1.30 to 3 pm, and cameras and leather stay outside.

  • Varah Ghat

    Ghat · in town

    One of the main bathing ghats on the lake, busiest at evening aarti; shoes off well before the steps, expect a donation ask.

  • Savitri Mata Temple

    Temple · 2 km out

    Hill temple with the best view down on the lake; 45 minutes of steps at sunrise, or take the ropeway behind the bazaar.

  • Sadar Bazaar

    Market · in town

    The one long bazaar street off Brahma temple, silver, textiles and hippie tat; haggle to half and shop after 5 pm.

  • Pap Mochani (Gayatri) Temple

    Temple · 2 km out

    Small hill temple on the ridge opposite Savitri, 20 minutes up; the quieter side of the valley for sunset.

  • Shri Rangji Temple

    Temple · in town

    South Indian style gopuram rising over the bazaar, built by a Hyderabad trader; non Hindus see only the gateway.

  • Sunset Cafe

    Food · in town

    Lakeside terrace at the end of the ghat road, long menu and a nightly crowd; get there before 6 for a wall seat.

Getting to Pushkar

Fly/train to Ajmer, then 30min bus or auto

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Made for solo travellers
Altitude
510 m
State
Rajasthan
Coordinates
26.4899, 74.5510

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Pushkar?

October to February is peak season in Pushkar. March and July to September is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to June. The Camel Fair in November draws huge crowds; October is calmer and still pleasant.

How many days do you need in Pushkar?

2 days is the usual stay. Lake-ghat cafes and yoga classes. One of India's easiest towns to travel solo.

How do you get to Pushkar?

Fly/train to Ajmer, then 30min bus or auto. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Pushkar expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Made for solo travellers.

Is there a festival in Pushkar?

Nov: Pushkar Camel Fair (Kartik Purnima). Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Pushkar?

Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, Varah Ghat, Savitri Mata Temple, Sadar Bazaar, Pap Mochani (Gayatri) Temple and Shri Rangji Temple, and more. One of the very few Brahma temples anywhere; shuts roughly 1.30 to 3 pm, and cameras and leather stay outside.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Rajasthan

All 49 destinations in Rajasthan