Pushkar

Visit the bustling shops in the narrow alleys of Pushkar for some traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, jewellery, leather and stone studded ‘kundans’ which is classic wear of the locals. Sarafa Bazar, baza bazar and Brahma temple market are some very popular markets in the city offering a wide variety of handicrafts at affordable rates. Along with sprawling malls in the city areas, the rural market on the outskirts provides you with rare and traditional crafts such as miniature paintings, mirror work and hand embroidery that are worth a buy.

The sacred city of Pushkar hosts more than 50 Ghats which are known for their healing and purifying powers. A trip to Pushkar is often considered incomplete without taking a dip in these waters, especially during the evening of Kartik Poornima which is regarded auspicious. Brahma ghat is the most popular ghat among many others like Gau, Kota, Yag, Varaha, Gangaur, Karni, etc. Pooja or holy rituals are performed at the ghat for the ancestors to offer prayers and get blessed by the gods.

1. Pushkar Fair: The most famous among these is the Pushkar Fair that is organised for a week in late October or early November. This includes a range of small stalls that sell traditional Rajasthani fabrics, food items and decor as well as a large camel and cattle market.

2. The International Hot Air Balloon Festival is also held in Pushkar during this time and attracts enthusiasts from all over the world. This is the busiest time for the town since the weather is ideal.

3. Pushkar is also a very devout city and celebrates all other festivals with great pomp. Dussehra, Diwali, Teej and Holi are major events that are filled with colour and joy and are a perfect opportunity for tourists to get a peek into the life of Pushkar.

Pushkar is a tiny town but full of little surprises in its cuisine. It has restaurants which can offer you a number of cuisines from Italian to Chinese. It only gets better as local, popular and exquisite preparations are available at pretty low prices. The standouts of the food here are Malpua, Poha, Dal Chaat, Dal Bati Choorma and Lassi. and are the must-haves in Pushkar.
However since Pushkar is a temple town full of religious activity and festivity, meat and alcohol are strictly prohibited.

Cafes in Pushkar
After sunset in Pushkar, chilly wind often pushes the travellers for a brewing cup of the dark liquid. Coffee houses or cafes are widely available in every corner of the streets that serve hot delicious meals and coffee. Funky Monkey Cafe is a widely popular cafe located near Mahavir Chowk where tourists can get a view of the spectacular city skyline along with great food. Coffee Temple is another beautiful place to dine in, especially during summers as the outdoor sitting gives you the beach vibes and exotic food. Nirvana cafe and pizzeria offers a vibrant sitting for your friends where you can chill in the evening and dine in or take away great dinner. Cafe Lake View is a comfortable terrace sitting restaurant that will serve you traditional delicacies along with a tinge of modern food.
View Top Restaurants in Pushkar

Day 1: Arrive in Pushkar by road or rail and settle into your hotel. Roam the streets to get a flavour of the local food and enjoy some stunning delights like Daal bati churma, pasta, pancakes and Israeli food. You can also shop in one of the many street markets for fabrics, decor, food items like pickles and masalas and other memorabilia. In the evening, go for a camel ride, jeep ride or tractor in one of the villages surrounding Pushkar. These rides take you into the desert and you can see the stunning sunset on the backdrop of undulating sand dunes.

Day 2: The next day, visit Pushkar Lake and also see a few Ghats that have been built at different times in history. On the banks of this lake is the Man Mahal and Brahma Temple which can all be visited on the same day. In the evening, settle in for some delectable Rajasthani food and folk dances, a combination that most local resorts offer. You could also try your hand at dancing.