19 Unique Things to Do in Pushkar: a 2-Day Itinerary for Pushkar, India
The holy city of Pushkar is filled with expected things to do. I’ve rounded up 19 of the most unique things to do in Pushkar, and compiled them into a curated 2-day itinerary for the city.
A hippie haven made up of narrow lanes, known for its spirituality— welcome to Pushkar, India! This small town in Rajasthan is well worth visiting if only for the change of pace it offers travelers. After spending an entire week in Pushkar, I’ve written this post sharing 19 unique things to do there and how to fit all these activities into a fun 2-day itinerary. There is plenty to keep you busy in Pushkar, though much of the town’s appeal is the rest and respite it offers compared to other destinations in Rajasthan.
when to visit Pushkar ↴
The best time to visit Pushkar is between November and March when the weather is milder. Pushkar is located in the middle of a desert, so visiting during peak summer months is a bad idea, especially if you aren’t prepared for extreme heat and a dry climate.
how many days to spend in Pushkar ↴
Two or three days is the optimal amount of time to spend in Pushkar. After a week, I felt like we’d seen many of the temples, hiked to the best sunset viewpoints, and gotten a great sense of Pushkar’s overlying culture. Many travelers opt to spend more time in Pushkar due to its calming atmosphere and hippie community, but adventure seekers like me will likely be fine allotting only a few days here.
quick travel tips for Pushkar↴
helpful apps to download
Google Maps | pinpoints of interest and download a map of Pushkar offline to help you navigate the town with or without WiFi
XE Converter | a free currency converter app that will help you with any exchange rate confusion, helping you keep track of exactly how much things cost
prohibited photography
Something that surprised me in Pushkar was the number of sites and areas in the town that strictly prohibited photography. This is something to keep in mind so that you can abide by local rules and avoid being told off by an angry café owner or lakeside local.
no meat or alcohol
Officially, Pushkar is a fully vegetarian state that’s also free of alcohol. Unofficially, there is alcohol served on menus on the DL around the town. My advice is to avoid alcohol here out of respect to the local laws— Pushkar really isn’t the place for partying like that anyway.
prepare to be barefoot
When walking around the Holy Lake and visiting most of the sites of worship, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes. Removing your shoes is a sign of respect, so please do so when you are prompted to by locals or by signposts.
camel riding in Pushkar
Besides it being a deeply spiritual place, Pushkar is also known for its annual Camel Fair, which takes place every year in November. Tourists who visit outside of November often take a tour of the surrounding desert on camelback. This kind of animal tourism is something I actively discourage, as camels are notoriously mistreated. Please do your research before deciding whether to partake or not.
scams in Pushkar
There are a number of common scams in Pushkar to be aware of so that you don’t fall prey and can enjoy your trip to its fullest.
Beggars | You will see beggars in Pushkar asking for food in place of money. They are often mothers holding babies. These individuals will lead you to shops that charge higher prices for the food, ripping you off and making an increased profit from the sale, Many people report those begging not actually getting to keep the food. All in all, avoid this if you can to help reduce begging culture and a cycle of scamming.
Flowers | Men approached us often as we walked around Pushkar Lak offering us free flowers to release onto the lake. They get aggressive if you decline and often tell you you’ve offended them. If you cave and take one of the flowers to the lake, they will follow you and demand money. We saw one man screaming at a couple of tourists near the steps down to the lake. This is very common. Simply walk away and say a firm “no”.
how to get to Pushkar ↴
I took a private car from Jaipur to Pushkar. It was straightforward and allowed us to The car journey took roughly 3 hours. It’s important to note that Pushkar does not have a train station. Ajmer, located roughly 13 kilometers away is the closest city with a train station. You can train to Ajmer and get a taxi from there to Pushkar. This is a very common way for travelers to get to Pushkar. The taxi costs roughly INR 500 and takes approximately 35 minutes. Make sure you negotiate your taxi price before you ride and have cash on. hand.
Another way to get to Pushkar is via the local bus system. The bus is the most affordable way to get to Pushkar. If you’re taking the bus from the train station, you’ll first need to take a taxi from the Ajmer train station to the Ajmer bus station. From there, you’ll purchase bus fare to Pushkar. Trains run regularly.
where to stay in Pushkar ↴
Pushkar is a relatively small city, so no matter where you stay you’ll likely be in a decent location within walking distance of the main attractions, temples, and restaurants mentioned in this post. It’s a good idea to pay upon arrival after checking out your room in person because on occasion hotels and hostels will upload photos that aren’t a true representation of the space.
Hotel Radhika Palace | where I stayed during my week in Pushkar, family-owned, in-room AC, restaurant on-site
Zostel | a reputable hostel chain with locations throughout India
Moustache Hostel | only steps away from Bramha Temple, dorms start very cheap at only $5 per person
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
suggested 2-day itinerary for Pushkar ↴
Day 1: sunrise yoga, breakfast at Café Lake View, Rangji Temple, Brahma Temple, Gurudwara Shahib, sunset walk around the Holy Lake, + Aarti
Spend the first day in Pushkar getting introduced to the spirituality of the city with sunrise yoga and meditation, a relaxing lakeside breakfast, temple hopping, and sunset spent by the lake before aarti at Jaipur Ghat.
Day 2: food tour, Ayurvedic massage, shopping, + sunset at Savitri Malta Temple
Indulge in the culinary delights of Pushkar on a local food tour before unwinding with an Ayurvedic massage. Shop the many market vendors around the alleyways and then either hike or take the cable car up to Savitri Malta Temple.
19 things to do in Pushkar ↴
walk around Pushkar Lake (Holy Lake)
Pushkar Lake, also referred to as Holy Lake, is the centerpiece of the entire city. Its origin story makes it sacred to Hindus who travel far and wide to wash in its water. It’s believed that Lord Brahma, the god of creation, dropped a lotus from his hand and the lake magically emerged. Walking around the entirety of the manmade lake doesn’t take long, but it’s a perfectly pleasant way to spend an afternoon. I recommend walking around the lake during the cooler hours of the day, as there is no shade around its perimeter and the concrete banks get hot!
Note: You should be mindful of common lakesdie scams in the area (read above) and respectfully follow the local etiquette of removing your shoes.
attend a morning yoga class
India is the birthplace of yoga and, as one of the hippest cities in Rajasthan, it comes as no surprise that yoga classes can be found all over Pushkar. Pushkar Yoga Garden is a favorite amongst tourists, though it is located a bit out of the way. This is where I went, and thus can recommend it personally. The classes are either 60 or 90 minutes long, and meditation classes are also available. I found my yoga class deeply relaxing, though I should have opted for beginner-level instruction, as I wasn’t nearly as flexible as my fellow yogis.
visit Rangji temple
Rangji Temple is dedicated to Lord Rangji, a form of Lord Vishnu. While foreigners aren’t allowed to enter the temple, it’s free to walk around the grounds and the exteriors are, in true Indian fashion, absolutely spectacular. Remove your shoes if you are planning on getting up close for a photo, otherwise, you can walk around the perimeter of the temple with shoes on. Just ensure you are respectful, as this is a house of worship.
ADMISSION | free
visit Brahma temple
You can’t not visit the Brahma Temple in Pushkar as it’s the only temple in India dedicated to the Hindu creator god, Lord Brahma. Historians believe the ornate temple, made of silver and marble, dates back to the 14th century.
Note: Cameras are not allowed inside, as photography is strictly prohibited. You will be asked to leave your belongings in a locker near the entrance that you’ll be given a key to.
ADMISSION | free
take a cooking class
Pushkar’s slow pace makes it the perfect place to take a cooking class and unwind. I can personally vouch for the Bahar Cooking School, which we booked via WhatsApp. During the cooking class, we learned how to make three different local dishes in heaping portion sizes. This locally-owned and family-operated cooking school felt warm and friendly from the onset. Held inside the host’s home kitchen, I really felt like I was getting a look at Indian cuisine from the pros— women who cook it every day to perfection.
COST | classes vary depending on provider, costs start at INR 1500
try bhang lassi
Bhang lassi, also referred to as “special lassi”, can be found on menus throughout Pushkar. This “alternative” lassi is made by combining cannabis leaves with yogurt. It’s infamously quite strong, especially if you haven’t ingested cannabis before. There is a story in Hindu texts that Shiva journeyed to the mountains where he found bhang (weed) and ate it. There, Siva was healed from the toxins he had been poisoned by. Bhang became his favourite snack and it’s written it induced the god into a state of deep meditation. Today, it’s considered a medicinal practice and locals drink bhang lassi as a way to commune with the Hindu god, Shiva.
Some quick tips for “responsible’’ consumption of bhang lassi:
get your drink made under your supervision: only you know what you’re capable of handling
go easy: bhang lassi is made on the strong side, so go easy
consume with a friend: this way, if you feel sick or panicky, your partner can escort you back to your hotel room
it wears off slowly: there are reports of tourists feeling the side effects of bhang up to 72 hours after consumption, but most people say it wears off within 24 hours
learn to make zero-waste tofu
Yes, you read that right. Something you probably wouldn’t expect to see on a list of things to do in Pushkar, but definitely an experience to be had is volunteering with Arty Vegan as they work to democratize vegan food and eliminate food waste. Their small café is a must-visit in the city, but it’s what they do when they aren’t actively serving food that’s truly remarkable. Volunteers and those interested can learn how to make zero-waste tofu! Just get in touch with the lovely people at the café and they are more than happy to share their wealth of knowledge and teach you how to use the entire part of the soya bean to create delicious homemade tofu.
enjoy sunset or sunrise at Savitri Malta Temple
Spending a sunset at Savitri Malta Temple is one of the most popular things to do in Pushkar, and for good reason. The views at golden hour are pretty unbeatable thanks to the yellow glow of the desert in the distance. Hindus making a pilgrimage will opt to walk to the top, but there are two ways to get to Savitri Malta Temple: 1) by hiking and 2) via cable car (ropeway). The “hike” itself is set up 1,000 stone steps and is relatively easy. However, the ropeway, which runs until 7:30 PM, is a cheap alternative. It might not get you there faster though! Our experience riding the ropeway involved many stops along the way, where the cable car would grind to a halt waiting for passengers to board the next car…no matter how long that might take. It also should be said that the cars were quite hot, even in the evening, and probably wouldn’t pass a UK/US health and safety inspection. It’s all part. of the adventure, so don’t let any of that stop you.
ADMISSION | free, cable car rides cost INR 150
get an Ayurvedic massage
Why not relax by booking an Ayurvedic massage? I found Ayurveda massages tended to be pricier than regular massages, but I was willing to spend the money to have the full experience conducted by an expert and I’m so glad I did. I loved my Ayurvedic massage so much in Pushkar I had another during my time in Udaipur. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest forms of holistic medicine. It originated in India over 3,000 years ago, and many Indians swear by it. Ayurveda translates from Sanskrit to “life science/life knowledge” and is based on the belief that the entire universe is composed of the five elements (water, space, earth, fire, and air). During Ayurvedic massage, a practitioner balances out your doshas, attempting to help your body achieve spiritual alignment. It typically involves tapping and squeezing parts of the body to draw out aches and pains. Every massage is personal to the individual and based on what that person’s body needs.
COST | starting at INR 1500
sample the famous rose oil
Walk through the streets of Pushkar and you’ll likely smell fragrant oils for sell. The roses of Pushkar are well-known around the world. For thousands of years, locals have been using their famed roses in perfumes, skincare, and Ayurvedic oils. Rose oils were even used as forms of medicine for royals. Today, you can purchase vials of Pushkar’s purest rose oil from vendors around the town. This is a great (smelling) cultural souvenir.
experience aarti
Aarti is a Hindu ceremony dedicated to a selected deity. Ceremonies are held daily just shortly after sunset. The aarti we witnessed in Varanasi along the Ganges was quite different from Pushkar’s iteration. The smaller setting makes Pushkar’s aarti a more intimate experience, and it’s much shorter, lasting only around 20-30 minutes. You can witness aarti in Pushkar every evening near Jaipur Ghat taking place at 7 PM, except during the winter months when it starts at 5:30 PM.
ADMISSION | free
watch the sunset on the lake
A free and scenic thing to add to your itinerary is to watch the sunset at Holy Lake. Every evening at golden hour, people gather around the lakeside to watch the sun sink down behind the horizon. While we were there we saw people playing the drums while others danced, and café goers made the most of the al fresco seating. Some of the most stunning sunsets we witnessed in India took place in Pushkar over the lake, and you’d be silly to miss out on this kind of collective serenity— people coming together simply to watch the day end.
ADMISSION | free
hop around the many rooftop cafés
Rooftop cafés are a “thing” in Pushkar. You could easily spend days hopping from café to café, sipping coffee (albeit mostly instant) while enjoying views of the lake. The coffee in Pushkar isn’t the best I’ve tasted, and I definitely wouldn’t say coffee here holds up against coffee culture capitals like Melbourne or Wellington, but there are plenty of bohemian cafés throughout the town that are notable if only for their impressive views.
Read more | 12 cafés in Pushkar you won’t want to miss: the best cafés in Pushkar, India
day trip to Ajmer
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, consider setting off to Ajmer for a day trip. Located only 45 minutes away by car, Ajmer is a popular place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Muslims. The small city is filled with impressive architectural sites from palaces to mosques and shrines that are sure to leave you in awe. Make sure to catch a bit of reprieve from all the sightseeing at the garden and lake. My top recommendations for things to see in Ajmer include:
Ajmer Sharif Dargah | shrine/tomb of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisthi, a place of great significance spiritually
Adhai Din Ka Jhopra | a spectacular mosque that is said to have been built in just 2.5 days
Daulat Bagh Garden | a great place for photographers and birdwatchers to enjoy views of Ana Safar Lake
Soni Ji Ki Nasiya | an ornate Jain temple
The best way to get to Ajmer (and admittedly the only way we could figure out) was to take a taxi. This can be arranged with your hotel reception staff, as they likely know someone who has a private car/taxi service. Negotiate your price beforehand for a whole day, and never pay the full amount up front.
shop until you drop
Pushkar is brimming with affordable storefronts selling everything from holistic oils to clothing and books. Pushkar’s vendors sold goods at some of the most affordable prices we saw during our entire time in India. It’s an especially good place for notebooks and jewelry. You can absolutely haggle with shop owners (they expect it), but remember to be respectful when negotiating as prices directly impact the livelihood of locals.
hike to Pap Mochani Temple
Dedicated to Gayatri, one of Lord Brahma’s wives, this temple is an ideal location for a sunset view, especially if you prefer to be where crowds are not. The hike up to Pap Mochani Temple only takes 10-15 minutes, making it quicker than the walk up to Savitri Malta Temple (mentioned above), though it is more of a clamber up rocks. To get to Pap Mochani, walk from the lake 10 minutes and find the trailhead located behind the Marwar Bus Stand.
ADMISSION | free
visit Gurudwara Shahib
Gurudwara Shahib is a famous Sikh pilgrimage in Pushkar. It’s absolutely beautiful, as is most of the architecture throughout India. The white building is striking, particularly against the surrounding desert landscape. Trust me, you won’t want to miss visiting this aesthetic site.
Note: No photos mobile or DSLR are allowed at Gurudwara Shahib as of January 2023.
ADMISSION | free
take a hot air balloon ride
If you’re constantly seeking adventure, like me, a hot air balloon ride might be the snippet of adrenaline you’re seeking in Pushkar. Though it’s more expensive than other activities in Pushkar, a ride above the town’s temples and desert landscape is worth every penny. This bucket list experience is best done at sunrise, as it’s not too hot and the morning light is fantastic, however, there are companies who also offer rides at 5 PM. Depending on what time of year you visit, 5 PM could work for golden lighting. Something to consider if you’re a photographer!
COST | rides start at INR 12,000
bonus: celebrate Holi
I attended Holi for the first time in Udaipur in 2023, and it was truly something I’ll never forget. Upon arriving in Pushkar, locals scolded us (teasingly) for not staying for Holi. Holi is a Hindu celebration marking the changing of seasons and the metaphorical shedding of negative thoughts. Because of its spirituality, Pushkar is famed for its Holi celebration, though it should be said there are many places throughout India that make great locations for the festival.
Note: Holi celebration dates vary by city, but they typically ake place during the first two weeks of March.
where to eat in Pushkar ↴
If you’re looking for a good brunch or coffee spot in Pushkar, head to my guide to the best cafés in Pushkar. Some of my favorite food spots include:
Falafel stand | you can find falafel stands near the market streets of Pushkar, the value for money is outstanding
The Arty Vegan | run by two vegan travelers looking to end food waste + promote a more sustainable vegan lifestyle
Café Lake View | for beautiful views of the lake to accompany your food, open earlier than most other cafés in Pushkar
map ↴
Find everything you need for the perfect 2-day itinerary in Pushkar, India, on the map below.
