Pushkar holy lake

We made a 3 hour journey from the hectic dusty city of Jaipur along a pretty good toll road towards Bikaner then Kushnagar and Ajmer then came off on little road to Pushkar which is a very picturesque little town set around the holy lake with lumpy hills all around.  The main temple is dedicated to the God Brahma the Creator and is one of a few rare temples to the king of gods in the world so everyday hundreds of Hindus come to bathe in the holy lake from the steps or Ghats.  All Hindus would like to make a pilgrimage here once in their life.

The town is bustling and alive with colour.  Everyone is wearing stunningly bright saris and other similar traditional clothing or hippie clothes- lots of ageing foreign hippies wandering about.  The vegetation is lush with lots of colourful birds and thousands of pigeons.  Papayas growing outside our bedroom window - our hotel is a 10 min walk from the lake and quiet and peaceful Pushkar heritage hotel - simple but clean with friendly manager.  There is a camel safari station down our road and little herds of cute Pumba type hairy pigs - cows everywhere and elderly Hindu pilgrims in simple white and orange dress

Had Italian coffee in the Out of the Blue cafe with cool breeze and views over the lake.  Wandered through the huge bazaar full of hippie stuff and down to the Ghats.  Went in Brahma temple and then left John to run up to hilltop temple of Brahma's wife while Moira and I strolled back through the bazaar - fascinating.  

Watched a Hindu ceremony in another temple with God carried on palanquin and large umbrellas of white silk with red fringe and fire torches and chanting.  Saw many long grey haired pilgrims heading down to bathe.  On the way home had mango lassi and met up with John to eat delicious pizza from wood fired oven down our road as the sun set.  Walked home in dark avoiding camel dung to the sound of cicadas and wild dogs barking and peacocks - exhausted but having great fun - bed early as it's a long drive south west to Udaipur tomorrow - the pink romantic city - full moon - best hotel in India on the lake there - Valentine's Day - who knows what might happen????????

No photos as gadget not working today.

Yvonne. 

(Eh?  What might happen????  .. John)