Pushkar is located on the shore of Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, India. It is an important pilgrimage site for followers of the Hindu faith. The lake has countless ghats, which are a series of steps that lead down to its sacred waters. The city is filled with devout Hindus who descend into the waters of the lake for a spiritual cleansing along with travelers who are observing the cultural happenings.
Follow this photographic journey around the ghats of Pushkar:
Holy Cow + Preparing To Bathe © Gennaro Salamone
Sacred cows are seen throughout India including Pushkar. Whether it’s a rural area or walking down the streets of a major city, cows are a permanent part of the landscape. Revered by followers of the Hindu faith, the animals are well fed by owners and local passers-by. Travelers are often seen petting the gentle creatures (see photo above). Do note that beef is not readily available in Hindu communities. Tourists who are desperate for a fix will need to visit a Muslim community instead.
Pushkar Street Food + Colored Powder © Gennaro Salamone
Before visiting several of the 50+ ghats of Pushkar Lake, indulge in some of the local street food. The cuisine uses a variety of spices and flavors that remains unmatched by other ethnic foods. After filling up, walk the streets of Pushkar which are filled with small shops that sell local products ranging from bracelets and clothing to the colorful powder used during festivals like Holi. That festival involves the throwing of colorful powder and water at friends and family.
Solitude + Musician of Pushkar © Gennaro Salamone
The ghats of Pushkar are considered a holy place. Hindus use the steps to descend into the sacred waters of the lake. Each ghat has a unique feel to it ranging from a place of solitude to a more celebratory atmosphere. Foreigners are expected to remove their shoes when entering the ghat area. It’s also considered inappropriate to photographs bathing locals without their permission.
Follow another photographic journey to Bodh Gaya, India photos.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.
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Beth
Beautiful photos. Love the colors of India. Women are bold in their dress. That shot of the women in red with the black and white background is true cool. Love color accent.
Tim
It’s amazing the sheer number of cows walking around India. I was only in Delhi for business and the city was filled with them. A city! I’d love to be part of the Holi festival. I saw a program on it. Looks fun.
Love your photos.
Gennaro
@Beth
The attire of Indian women is unreal. That alone is worth covering in a photo feature. Beautiful colors.
@Tim
Delhi was our first stop and it the cows were one of the first things that jumped out. That’s one of the many things that makes travel interesting.
Yen
India is next of my list of places to visit. I heard that it is very intense for tourists. A lot to learn to. Love the photos of the musician in conversation with a local girl. That smile on her face speaks volumes.
Kikolani
Those are great photos. One thing I like about your site is the photos aren’t of the traditional tourist spots that have been photographed a million times, but of the small things that show the beauty of the culture.
~ Kristi
Gennaro
@Yen
It’s the most intense of the countries I’ve been too. It hits all your senses. A place you’ll never forget.
@Kristi
Appreciate that. There is such beauty in the little things around the world. That’s what I enjoy most about traveling.
Sire
Great photos Gennaro; they show how important that framing is for the overall composition. I loved the colored powder one the best. I know you said that the cows are well fed but that first one looks like he could do with a bit more food.
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com
I like your posts – especially those with many pictures. It’s like I am traveling w/o leaving my cubicle ;).
Good stuff!
Gennaro
@Sire
True of that cow, but most are quite large and well fed. Odd since there is so much poverty there. The colors of India are truly spectacular.
@Alik Levin
Travel is a great escape.
Spot Cool Travel
Great photos. Rajasthan really is one of the most photogenic places on the planet.
Sire
Yeah, reckon that means you have to be more selective of the cow you choose. Still, we are having an economic crisis 😉
Gennaro
@Spot Cool
Loved Rajasthan. Agree that it’s great to photographic both the locals and the landscapes.
@Sire
This one had a nice personality though 🙂
Julie
Gennaro- LOVE the photo of the colored powder! WOW!
J.D. Meier
I really like the colored powder and it reminds me of play-dough.
Gennaro
@Julie & J.D. Meier
Very smart set-up by the seller. Catches the eye quickly.
fly girl
I’ve always admired all aspects of Indian culture and these photos remind me why. What vibrant colors and spritual devotion. I especially love the colored powders as well, great shot.
Wendy-Escape NY
I would love to make it to the Pushkar Camel Fair one of these days.
Gennaro
@flygirl
It’s really is a fascinating culture.
@Wendy
Miss the fair. Would love to see it too.
Nadia-Happy Lotus
Hi Gennaro,
I have a two posts today on India and here I come to your site and your most recent post is on India! Talk about coincidence or maybe great minds thinking alike? 🙂
I never made it up to Pushkar Lake but I did hear about it. I loved your pictures because they really show a great glimpse of what India is like. It felt like being there.
jen laceda
As usual, stunning photography!
Gennaro
@Nadia
India inspires all who have visited 🙂
@jen laceda
Lots of great subject to shoot in India.
Madhav Tripathi
Wow! you have taken very nice pictures, you seem me a great traveler.
Adeje
Very nice photos there. Inspiring India.
bettina
I like these colorful pictures.
Mike
I really love the picture of the colored powder. The markets can be so beautiful when you stumble across things like that.
Bhagwan
I am from Ajmer city and I want to say it is very beautiful place and I like your photos.
Gennaro
@Madhav Tripathi @Adeje @bettina – Thank you.
@Bhagwan – I visited Ajmer too. Nice city.