Pushkar is a small town in Rajasthan, built around a holy lake and surrounded by the Aravalli hills. It is easier to reach than it looks on a map. This guide covers the trains, flights and roads, the seasons, and the town itself.
I.Three ways to get here
By train, to Ajmer Junction
Ajmer Junction is the nearest railway station and the easiest way to arrive. It is on the busy Delhi–Ahmedabad line. Fast trains run every day from Delhi (about 6.5 hours on the Shatabdi), and direct trains from Jaipur take about 2 hours. From the station, the drive over the hills to Pushkar takes 30 minutes. For students of the workshop, we arrange a car to meet the train. Tell us your train when your course dates are set.
By air, to Jaipur
Jaipur International Airport is the most practical airport, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and the Gulf. The drive to Pushkar takes about 2.5 hours on a good highway. We arrange a car to meet you at the airport. Tell us your flight when your dates are set.
By road
Pushkar is about 145 km from Jaipur and 400 km from Delhi. Buses run often between Jaipur and Ajmer, and local buses and taxis go on from Ajmer over the hill to Pushkar. A private car from Jaipur is the more comfortable way to make the same trip.
II.When to come
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn and winter | Oct–Jan | Cool, dry days. Nights are cold in December and January. The camel fair is in November, and the town is very full then. Book early if your dates are near the fair. |
| Spring | Feb–Apr | Warm days, and hot by April. The town is quieter. Roses grow in the fields around Pushkar. |
| Summer | May–Jun | Very hot, most of all in the afternoon. The town has the fewest visitors of the year. |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Warm and humid, with rain. The hills around the town turn green. |
Classes run all year. There is no fixed calendar. Tell us the dates you can travel, and we plan your course around them. The courses last 1, 3 or 7 days. A separate article explains how a course runs.
III.The town itself
Pushkar is built around the lake. 52 ghats, wide flights of steps, go down to the water. The Brahma temple, one of very few in the world, stands a few lanes back from the lake. The bazaar runs around it all: a long, winding street of silver shops, rose sellers and chai stalls. Pushkar is a holy town, and it is vegetarian and alcohol-free.
IV.Evenings: the aarti
At sunset, bells ring around the lake and priests perform the evening aarti at the ghats. They move lamps in circles in front of the water. Anyone can watch. Take off your shoes before you step onto the ghats.
V.Where you stay
We help you find a guesthouse or a hotel near the workshop. The stay is not part of the course. Pushkar has places to stay at many prices, so tell us your dates and your budget when you send your enquiry.