Devotees take holy dip in Pushkar lake on Poornima fair
Pushkar: Hindu devotees in large numbers on Saturday took holy dip in the sacred Pushkar lake in Ajmer. A procession of holy men accompanied by music was taken out before the holy dip in the lake and offer of prayers. Apart from their wish for peace in the world, the sadhus also wished that the lake was maintained and cleaned since it was a holy place, and visited by people from all across India and overseas.The picturesque Pushkar lake is a sacred spot for the Hindus. It has the distinction of having the only Brahma temple in the world. During the month of Kartik (Oct/Nov), devotees throng in large numbers to take a dip in the sacred lake.
The most auspicious date of taking bath is on Kartik Poornima. On this day even before sunrise people go down to ghats to take the sacred bath. After taking the bath devotee offer coconut, flowers, and cash to the lake and to the ‘pandas’ (Brahmin priests). Floating lamps (Deep Dan) is another way of offering prayers. It is customary in Hindu religion to float lighted earthen lamps after placing them on leaves on the lake. During evenings it creates a spectacular view.
The lake is bordered by 52 flights of steps called ‘Ghats’. Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared at the Varah Ghat in the form of a boar. Brahma took bath and performed Yajna at the Brahma Ghat.
According to mythology, 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 Pushkar where lakes sprang up. The bath at Pushkar is thought to be more important than at any other place. The holy dip in this lake on Kartika Purnima is thought to be salvation giving. According to another legend, 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.
Pushkar is also famous for its cattle fair. Over the five days of the fair camels, horses, cows, goats, and sheep are sold and bought. It is popular among tourists.
