DAY 9 : INDIA : Pushkar

Weather : hot, hazy, 30+

Udaipur has been a real highlight so far. A bustling town with profitable industries - zinc, silver, marble, textiles, large universities and outstanding tourism. This is assisted by the setting of the stunning lakes  and quality sites maintained by the Maharana. We have been surprised by the vast number of staff employed by the hotels - staff from all over India - such fabulous opportunites for so many. The hotels provide staff accommodation and good working conditions. Unfortunately, many men have to leave family at home, wives and families traditionally living with the husband's family and often there are only several trips home a year. They are all enthusiastic and positive about their jobs...and why wouldn't you when for 10 positions there might be 200,000 applications!

Fresh flowers and designs just one of the facets

of the Lake Palace's attention to detail.

 

 

Our destination today was Pushkar - 300 kms and 6 hours drive.

 

 

Along the way we saw.......

 

 

20 - 25kms of  continual marble sellers along the highway

 

 

The unsung workforce of Rajasthan - peasant women!

 

 

Some exciting moments - oncoming traffic.

 

 

Pushkar ( pop. 25,000) is one of the most revered Hindu cities in India.

Lord Brahma, the god of Creation, dropped a lotus flower to the earth and water spurted from this spot. There is only one temple dedicated Lord Brahma and it is here. Today was a special day devoted to Brahma, so we could experience all the activity in the temple.

 

 

There are several large rose gardens in Pushkar, which provides petals for an extensive rose water, rose oil, rose jam etc etc industry.

 

 

 

 

Fascinating walking through the bazaar  - attractive silver jewellery and bright fabrics.

 

 

 

Deepak, our guide, walked us from the temple to the large ghats.

Here people do ritual bathing, throw flowers into the water asking for special prayers.

The Mahatma, Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi's ashes were all spread here.

The area around the ghats has empty premises used to house and feed the many thousands pilgrims for free. How was this funded we wondered....

 

 

Then Deepak introduced us to his friend, the Brahman priest, who insisted on saying a

special prayer with us and then negotiated a special fee with Mark (I said "I'm with him!", to avoid any more bargaining!)  which goes to a foundation for supporting pilgrims who come to worship at the Pushkar ghat.

 

 

Colourful activity around the ghats.

 

 

Our hotel is another heritage hotel, Jagat Palace.

www.hotelpushkarpalace.com/

 

 

Set in beautifully lush grounds,this was the original home of the maharaja built in the nineteenth century.

 

 

Our room decorated authentic Raj style - bit shabby- full of atmosphere.

 

 

Each room has its own filagreed balcony.

 

 

Lovely old swinging chairs by the pool.

We are eating in the hotel restaurant tonight - step back into the 19th century but alcohol is prohibited because Pushkar is considered such a holy place and are considered pollutants.

 

 

 

M&M

 mm_smith@bigpond.net.au