Pushkar is one of the oldest cities of Rajasthan. The holy city is famous for its temples, divinity, the old world charm, and above all for its world-famous camel fair.

Ajmer, another city in Rajasthan just 15 km from Pushkar is also a treasure trove of Indian architecture and heritage. Since Ajmer is just half an hour’s drive from Pushkar both the places can be covered in one trip. In fact, if you ask someone about the top things to do in Pushkar, they will suggest Ajmer and vice versa. So Ajmer and Pushkar, for most are essentially a single trip.

We have been eyeing Pushkar for a very long time and finally, we ushered in the New Year with a trip to Pushkar and Ajmer.

We try to take you along to Ajmer and Pushkar through our short trip and you will find below information on how to reach Pushkar, what to see, things to do, where to stay, and some other general tips on this tour. If you have any other questions, feel free to comment and ask towards the bottom of this page.

How to Reach Ajmer

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Ajmer is very well connected to Delhi, Haryana, and other cities in Rajasthan. Depending on your preference, you can easily reach here either by road, train or flight. Ajmer is located at a distance of 395 km from Delhi, 419 km from Gurgaon, and just 136 km from Jaipur.

How to Reach Pushkar and Ajmer From Delhi by Train

Ajmer is the nearest railway station to Pushkar. You can take an early morning Ajmer Shatabdi or Vande Bharat Express from Delhi’s New Delhi railway station and reach Ajmer in under 6 hours. Ajmer Shatabdi starts at 6 in the morning and you reach Ajmer by afternoon. If you are staying at Ajmer you can take a taxi or autorickshaw to your hotel in Ajmer. If you are staying at Pushkar you can take a taxi, shared taxi, or bus to reach Pushkar.

How to Reach Pushkar and Ajmer From Delhi by Air

The nearest airport to Ajmer is Kishangarh and there are regular Indigo, Air India, and other flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jaipur to Ajmer. You can take a taxi from the airport to your hotel in Pushkar or Ajmer.

How to Reach Pushkar and Ajmer From Delhi by Road

You can easily drive from Delhi to Pushkar as the road condition is good. It should take 9 to 10 hours depending on the number of breaks you take. You can also take a bus but that takes much longer.

Local Transport in Pushkar and Ajmer

Pushkar is a small town and most of the sightseeing within the town can be done on foot. You can rent a private taxi or hop on an autorickshaw to show you around. Major tourist spots in Ajmer that we will further talk about in the article are however a little distant from each other. A full-day taxi tour can cost you between Rs. 1500 to Rs. 4000 depending on the places you wish to cover. To reach Pushkar from Ajmer, you can take a taxi or any local bus and it doesn’t cost much.

We had a comfortable trip from Delhi to Ajmer via Shatabdi Express. Once we reached Ajmer we took a private taxi to our hotel in Ajmer and it took us around half an hour to reach Hotel Pratap Mahal which was on the outskirts of Ajmer. We freshened up, had a quick tea and snack at the hotel, and decided to spend the rest of the evening in the hotel enjoying the folk music performance over sumptuous Rajasthani and continental dinner at the hotel. We spoke to the concierge and booked a taxi for a day trip to Ajmer and Pushkar for the next day.

What to See & Things to Do in Ajmer

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Khwaja Garib Nawaz Dargah in Ajmer is one of the most revered places and is visited by people of all religions from all across the world. The Dargah was almost 40 minutes’ drive from our hotel. After a point, we took an auto and were dropped very close to the Dargah. From there it was hardly a walk of 10 minutes to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah.

The Dargah attracts pilgrims and tourists of all nationalities and is very crowded. One is supposed to cover their heads and wear fully covered decent clothes to visit the Dargah. You are supposed to remove the footwear outside the Dargah and take a token. You can buy flower baskets or Chaadar to offer to the Khwaja Garib Nawaz from the shops on both sides of the street leading to the Dargah. Despite the Friday crowd, the Dargah was well-managed and we spent around an hour soaking in the divinity of the place.

Tip: Take a local guide or the reference of a Maulvi from the hotel if you are visiting for the first time. It will save you enormous confusion about what to do and how to do it.

Ajmer Fort and Government Museum

Ajmer Fort and Museum is located in the heart of the city and is recommended for folks who love history and art. The place was not crowded at all when we went. There were just a handful of visitors. The fort is majourly dilapidated but whatever remains is gorgeous. The lawns are lush green, well-manicured, and extremely Instagram-worthy. The museum is divided into six galleries showcasing excavated sculptures of Hindu gods, paintings, textiles, Jain statues, arms, etc. One can easily spend an hour and a half here to see the galleries.

Ana Sagar Lake

This man-made lake is spread over 13 km and is one of the most sought-after picnic spots in Ajmer. One can boat down to the island located at the centre of the lake. The surroundings of the lake are dotted with lamp posts, benches, and some animal installations. The road outside has a host of street food stalls to complete the picnic vibe.

Though we were in our hotel car, we spotted many e-rickshaws fetching people from the nearby places to the lake.

Adjacent to the lake is Daulat Bagh Ajmer, a garden built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

What to eat in Ajmer

Though you get all sorts of North Indian, South Indian, Continental, and Rajasthani food in Ajmer, you must try Kadhi Kachori in Ajmer for the authentic Rajasthani taste. You’ll be surprised to see how they cut the Kachauri with scissors here and top it with piping hot Kadhi and sweet and tangy chutneys. One plate of Kadhi Kachauri costs Rs. 50/-

Shopping in Ajmer

You can shop for Rajasthani handicrafts and souvenirs from the shops near the tourist places. Don’t forget to bargain as in most cases, the items are being offered at inflated prices. You must get Hing (asafoetida) and Lehsun (garlic) based Namkeen Mixtures packed from any of the local sweetshops. These last very long and are perfect souvenirs for friends and family especially if they like spicy snacks.

Don’t forget to sample before you buy to ensure the snacks are fresh and of good quality.

What to see & Things to Do in Pushkar

Brahma Temple

Many consider this as the only Brahma temple in the world, but some research on the internet tells you there are 3 or 4 more Brahma temples. Nevertheless given that there are just a few Brahma temples in the world, that makes this temple in Pushkar is unique and much visited by people from the world over.

According to legends, Pushkar is the spot where Lord Brahma (One of the Trinity from Hindu Mythology) dropped a lotus (Pushpa) hence the name. Also, we heard folklore that Brahma was cursed by his wife Gayatri and as a result, no worship happens in Brahma temple. But one enters the shrine and catches a glimpse / do darshan of the four-faced Hindu god.

When we went there was a manageable queue for the darshan. Three faces of Lord Brahma were visible from the front and the fourth face showed on the mirror behind the idol. Photography and videography are not allowed inside. We got this pic from a local priest who was guiding us. courtesy Pushkar Panditji here.

Pushkar Lake

A little walk in the lanes of the temple takes you to one of the banks of Pushkar Lake. Apparently, the lake has 52 corners, and worship and holy dips take place on many of these banks. There are many big and small temples surrounding the Pushkar Lake. We spent some time at a courtyard from where we got a good view of the lake and the  Panditji told us many anecdotes connected with the temple and the lake.

Savitri Temple Rope Way

This temple is located on the Ratnagiri hilltop and is dedicated to Lord Brahma’s second wife Savitri. The driver parked the car and from there we bought tickets for the ropeway or Gondola ride to the temple. Priced at Rs. 162/- per person both ways, the cable car ride was a lot of fun and adventure. One has an option of trekking up to the temple too but that takes much longer.

Perched up was a small temple with a white idol of Devi Savitri. You get a full view of the Pushkar city from the open courtyard of the temple. One can also see Pushkar Lake from here. There are monkeys here and people feed them chickpeas and bananas.

Rangji Temple

This South-Indian style temple in Pushkar is dedicated to Lord Ranga – a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu (another Trinity from Hindu Mythology). He is placed in the centre with his consorts Lakshmi and Godamba on both sides. The temple has a beautifully ornated Gopuram – the entry of the temple. Surrounding the main shrine there were smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu gods.

Pushkar Camel Fair

Visitors from all corners of the world throng to Pushkar during the annual camel fair. Besides the buying and selling of camels and other animals, Pushkar holds significance as a pilgrimage destination for Hindus during this season. A lot of cultural events happen around this time. The Pushkar camel fair happens in October-November every year. Given the pleasant weather, this is a good season to be in Pushkar.

Photography in Pushkar

The Pushkar Camel Fair is a photographer’s delight. The unique fair attracts shutterbugs and photojournalists from India and abroad every year. The colourful and vibrant Rajasthan, the camels, people in traditional Rajasthani attire, local food, and the folk performances are enough fodder for a ton of photo ops.

But then, apart from the fair, Pushkar is photogenic throughout the year.

What to eat in Pushkar

Malpua Rabri

The lanes and narrow streets around the Brahma temple in Pushkar have a host of sweet shops selling all kinds of Indian sweets with one thing in common – Malpua, the sugar syrup Indian sweet. All our friends and followers on social media who are familiar with Pushkar strongly recommended we try Rabri Malupa in Pushkar. So we did.

We asked around and reached Someshwar’s sweetshop where the Halwai (confectioner) greeted us with folded hands. We ordered a Rabri Malpua for us. This was delicious.

Gulkand Lassi

Another item that you must try here is Gulkand Lassi – a thick curd-based lassi with creamy malai on top decorated with a dollop of Gulkand is what sweet dreams are made of. You must ask for Panditji Lassiwale and you’ll be guided to the shop. Panditji also recites some Shayari (Urdu poetry) that he customises based on your name and where you are from. This is so much fun and we can guarantee you would want to record his performance.

The lassi was delicious too.

Gol Gappe

If you love street food, try golgappe from any local cart. They sell golgappe with a variety of flavoured waters. From Jeera to Pudine to Hing, you must try one gol gappa with each variety of their tangy drool-worthy water-dip.

Shopping in Pushkar

The market from the car parking point to the Brahma temple in Pushkar is dotted with all sorts of shops on both sides selling handicraft items, clothes, bags, hand-crafted colourful Jutti shoes and much more. You can shop for Rajasthani handicrafts and souvenirs from these shops. We bought some bracelets as souvenirs from here.

Also, hand-block printed bed sheets in Sanganeri and other prints are also popular in Pushkar. You can check out these bed sheets at the shops in the by-lanes of Pushkar market.

The Best Time to Visit Pushkar

The best period to explore Pushkar, Rajasthan, falls between October and November, coinciding with the Pushkar Fair at the onset of winter. Yet, the tourist influx spans from October to February. March and early April may also work if you want to explore Pushkar and Ajmer in less crowded times and don’t mind a little hot temperature during the day.

But after April it gets really hot and may not be suitable for most tourist activities.

How many days are enough for Pushkar

You can easily explore Ajmer and Pushkar in two days – One day for Ajmer and one for Pushkar. That makes Pushkar an ideal weekend getaway from Delhi. However, if you have time, you should stay in Pushkar for a few days and absorb the vibe of this place. Go on temple trails, explore local food, spend time with locals, immerse yourself in the old-world charm of this beautiful Rajasthan destination, and shop for authentic Rajasthani handicrafts.

Clothes to pack for Pushkar Trip

What outfits you’ll need to pack depends on when you’re visiting. Between November and February, brace yourself for chilly weather and pack woolens. October and March are a bit milder, so your regular cotton clothes with a light jacket should do the trick. Other months are very hot. Pack shorts, light t-shirts, and cotton scarves and caps to save yourself from the sun.

Packing tips for Pushkar and Ajmer

Now onto the extras you shouldn’t forget.

Irrespective of the month you are travelling, toss in sunscreen and sunglasses. Winter visitors should pack moisturizer, lip balm, and cold cream to battle the dry air. While there are medical facilities nearby, it never hurts to bring along some basics like fever reducers, pain relievers, and remedies for stomach issues, just in case. Also, carrying a water bottle will save you from buying plastic bottles on and off. Given the hot climate, you should stay hydrated whenever you are on a trip to Pushkar and Rajasthan.

Where to stay in Pushkar

Pushkar draws a lot of tourists and there is no dearth of hotels, resorts, and homestays here. Pushkar and Ajmer offer accommodations to suit all sorts of tourists and budgets. If you are on a solo trip or are a backpacker, there are many good hostels in Pushkar with good amenities like AC, high-speed wifi, and kitchen at affordable prices.

For shorter and fancy stays there are luxury hotels in Ajmer and Pushkar. We stayed at the outskirts of Ajmer at Hotel Pratap Mahal – A Taj property. The location was away from the hum-drum of city life, so it offered a peaceful stay. The downside was being out of main Ajmer city, popular radio taxis would refuse to come here. We were mostly dependent on private taxi operators or the hotel car.

The food was great and the folk performances over the bonfire added to our overall experience of our Pushkar Trip. Brownie points to the hotel staff for arranging comfortable visits to the Brahma temple in Pushkar and Khwaja Garib Nawaz Dargah in Ajmer. They have their appointed Priests and Maulavis at both places. That made our visits super smooth sans any chaos.

Lesson learned – wherever you stay in Pushkar or Ajmer, talk to the hotel guys and ask for references if you are visiting these religious shrines.

Know Ajmer and Pushkar

Bank / ATMs in Pushkar

There are several banks and ATMs in Pushkar and Ajmer.

Petrol Pumps and Mechanics

Petrol Pumps and Mechanics are available in Ajmer and Pushkar.

Hospital and Medical Assistance

There are hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and dispensaries located in Ajmer and Pushkar. If you need medical help, you will easily find it here.

Mobile Network and Data Connectivity

Ajmer and Pushkar have great mobile connectivity. No matter which network you are on, you will get full service and good 4G/5G data in Pushkar and Ajmer. Most of the hotels are equipped with strong WiFi connections.

Itinerary

Time Needed

Let’s sketch out an itinerary, starting from Delhi, but even if you’re arriving from elsewhere, only the initial and final travel days will differ. For Ajmer and Pushkar, we suggest a minimum of 2-3 days. Yet, if your schedule allows, extending it to 4 days can enrich your exploration of Pushkar.

Pushkar Ajmer Itinerary

Below is an example of an itinerary that we recommend for your trip to Ajmer and Pushkar. Depending on whether you are staying in Ajmer or Pushkar you can switch the days and if you are doing it over a weekend only then you can explore Ajmer and Pushkar on the same day as we did.

• Delhi to Ajmer – Day 1
• Explore Ajmer – Day 2
• Explore Pushkar – Day 3
• Ajmer to Delhi – Day 4

Also Read: A unique Travel Guide to Udaipur, Nathdwara and Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan 

FAQs about Pushkar

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Pushkar and Ajmer.

1. Should we visit Ajmer or Pushkar?

Both, and visiting Ajmer and Pushkar in one trip makes sense as these places are very close to each other. While Ajmer is good for Ajmer Sharif Dargah, fort and museum, Pushkar is famous for its temples and street food.

2. Is Pushkar very hot?

Yes in summer months, from April to August, Pushkar and Ajmer, just like other places in Rajasthan get very hot. Other months are pleasant to somewhat cold.

3. Is Pushkar Safe?

Absolutely! Pushkar is a super safe spot to explore, just as long as you’re cautious and don’t get into any risky situations. The folks around are nice and friendly. So, if you drive carefully, behave responsibly, and steer clear of unnecessary risks, you’ll have a great time checking out Pushkar or Ajmer.

4. Where are Pushkar and Ajmer located?

Ajmer and Pushkar are among the oldest cities of Rajasthan and Ajmer is almost located at the centre of Rajasthan. Ajmer is located at a distance of 395 kilometers from Delhi, 419 kilometers from Gurgaon, and just 136 kilometers from Jaipur. Pushkar is located at a distance of 450 kilometers from Delhi, 406 kilometers from Gurgaon, and just 170 kilometers from Jaipur.

5. Is Pushkar worth Visiting?

Yes, Pushkar is a beautiful temple town in Rajasthan and worth visiting. There are temples, a lake, a ropeway, shopping options and a lot of street food to enjoy.

6. When is Pushkar open for tourists?

Pushkar and Ajmer remain open for tourism throughout the year. The Pushkar camel fair happens in October or November every year and this area sees the most footfall.

Conclusion
That pretty much sums up all the info you’ll need for planning your trip to Pushkar and Ajmer. If you have any questions or need more details, just drop a comment below and we’ll be happy to help out. And if you’ve already been to Pushkar and have some tips to share, please do! Your suggestions could be helpful to others.