If Rajasthan is synonymous with forts and palaces, it is also synonymous with fairs and festivals. Few things can match the effervescence, vigor and brightness of traditional fair like the world famous Pushkar. The picturesque lake of Pushkar is surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the fourth-a perfect site for the annual religious and cattle fair, held in the month of October-November. Pushkar is a sacred place for Hindus and has a staggering 400 temples, of which the most important is dedicated to Lord Brahma. According to legend, for five days in a year, all the gods visit Pushkar and bless the devout-hence the unbelievable number of devotees who flock to the lake to wash away their sins.

These five crucial days also coincide with the biggest cattle fair of the country. Virtual armies of camels, cleaned, washed, and adorned, descend on Pushkar and villagers do brisk business. A visit to the Pushkar fair is truly the experience of a lifetime.

Pushkar has an extreme climate with high climatic variations between the seasons. Summers have hot days though the nights can be cold. Temperature remains in the range of 10ºC in the winters. There is not much of rain in Pushkar even during the monsoon. The best time to visit the place is in the winters and (September to March)

The picturesque Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 kilometers off Ajmer in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the fourth, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair.

 
There are many legends associated to the birth of Pushkar and Pushkar Fair. One thing is clear that most of them are associated with Lord Brahma. It is said that in a battle, Lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh with a lotus flower, whose petals floated down to earth and landed in three places in and around Pushkar where lakes sprang up.

According to another legend, back in a legendary time, Lord Brahma was flying over the Rajasthan desert on his swan, when some petals fell from his hand and drifted down. Miraculously, blue lakes sprang up where the flowers had touched the soft sands. Just then, Lord Brahma realized that this was the auspicious moment to perform a fire sacrifice or yagna. His wife Savitri was not with him at that time and the yagna would be incomplete without her. So Brahma married a local girl and sat down for the without her. Meanwhile Savitri landed on earth and upon finding this new bride sitting next to Brahma, she was raged with fury and cursed him that he would never be worshipped anywhere else on earth. Ever since then, when the full moon shines on Purnima during the autumn period of kartik, the desert tribes meet to commemorate this epic event. It is interesting to note that Brahma is not worshipped, even though he is one of the Holy Trinity of Hinduism.

A large accumulation of travel attractions, Pushkar is famous for its picturesque sites as well as more than 400 temples. The most important of the temples is the Brahma Temple (only temple of Lord Brahma, the creator, in the world). Other important temples are Savitri Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Rangji Temple, and Varaha Temple. Pushkar Lake is the site of annual holy bath on Kartik Purnima. Pushkar Bazaar is famous for its high range of handicrafts. Another important attraction in the city is Man Mahal built by Raja Man Singh of Amber.