Pushkar Holi

Pushkar Holi – A picturesque city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Pushkar is not only known for its vibrant ghats and sacred lake but also for hosting one of the most vibrant and culturally rich Holi celebrations in the country. In this blog we will learn about the colours, traditions and significance of Pushkar that make Pushkar Holi a unique and unforgettable experience. This Pushkar town is a tehsil of Ajmer district of Rajasthan, which is located to the west of the Aravalli mountain range, 11 kilometers away from Ajmer. On the way from Ajmer to Pushkar, there is a dense forest, Nag Parvat and a deer sanctuary. According to mythological beliefs, Pushkar was originated by Lord Brahma. Therefore, here is the world’s only temple of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is also called the city of temples. And there is also a beautiful lake and 52 ghats. Here you will find temples in every street. The Pushkar Animal Fair here is also world famous but we will talk about it in detail in some other blog.

1. Spiritual Introduction: Holi holds great significance in Pushkar, where the festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. According to a legend, King Hiranyakashyap’s son was Prahlad, who was engrossed in the devotion of Lord Vishnu. His father did not like this because he considered himself greater than Lord Vishnu, so he asked his sister to kill his son,Holika was forced to burn his son in the fire because every year Holika would come back alive even after getting burnt, so she followed her brother’s advice and burnt her nephew Prahlad along with herself but this time she herself got burnt, but devotee Prahlad Saved because of devotion to Lord Vishnu. Therefore this festival is celebrated to symbolize the victory of devotion. Grand celebrations, spiritual rituals and customs are adopted.
2. Holy Bath in Pushkar Lake: To celebrate the spiritual festival with enthusiasm, locals and visitors take a dip in the Pushkar Lake for ritual bath and prayers on the morning of Holika Dahan. The puja is performed with age-old rituals, which gives a unique dimension to Holi celebrations in Pushkar. It is believed that taking a bath in the holy lake of Pushkar destroys all the sins of a person. And salvation is attained.
3. Holika Dahan in Pushkar: A symbolic burning of Holika is done in the evening a day before playing Holi with colours, which symbolizes the victory of virtue. There is great joy in deeply experiencing the cultural stories and myths associated with this ritual, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and joy. Holika Dahan and puja is done at Varah Ghat in the evening a day before Holi. By collecting dry sticks at one place, it is called Holika. Symbolically, an effigy of clay, which is called a devotee Prahlad, is also kept together, and after seeing the auspicious time, it is set on fire and burnt, in the end it is not Prahlad It burns and the entire Holika burns to ashes. Local people take small pieces of inflammable wood from that Holika home and the small Holika present in the house is lit with the same inflammable coal. It is considered auspicious to do so.
4. Traditional Folk Performances: The folk music, dance and lively performances accompanying Pushkar Holi are mesmerizing. From traditional Rajasthani tunes to energetic dances, cultural extravaganzas add a vibrant touch to the festivities. Folk dances are performed at many places in which you get to see glimpses of Indian and foreign countries. After Holika Dahan, folk music program starts in which locals and visitors dance and enjoy the whole night.
5. Rangoli and street decorations: It is a pleasure to wander through the colorful streets adorned with intricate rangoli designs and vibrant decorations. The art of the local people is very spectacular as they beautifully decorate their houses and streets to welcome the festival of colours.
6. Dhulandi: Carnival of Colours: It’s fun to attend the grand carnival of colours, as locals and tourists come together to play with the vibrant powder. Experiencing that joy, laughter and unity is a unique joy that defines the Dhulandi festival in Pushkar. All the streets get painted in different colours. This festival of colors runs from 9 am to 5 pm on the second day of Holika Dahan. Men themselves tear their upper clothes. But women are prohibited from doing so. Here the festival of Holi is celebrated with different types of colors and colors are applied on each other’s cheeks. You will get these colorful colors from street vendors at very low prices. Before playing Holi, you should apply any kind of oil on your body, this will prevent the color from harming your skin. Play Holi only by putting glasses on your eyes, cloth on your hair and cotton in your ears, so that the powder color does not harm the delicate organs. Women should avoid wearing tight clothes and should choose loose clothes, some people try to touch women on the pretext of applying color after consuming alcohol, such people should be avoided. Women should play Holi in their group or watch Holi while standing in the balcony.
7. Community Feasts and Cuisine: Holi is an exploration of the rich culinary traditions of Pushkar. One can enjoy traditional Rajasthani dishes served during community feasts, which promote a sense of togetherness and celebration. You will not find its famous dishes like Malpuve and Rabdi made from milk anywhere else.
8. Photography Opportunities: It is spectacular to capture the visual spectacle that Pushkar Holi offers to photographers. From candid moments of joy to kaleidoscopic explosions of colours, every frame captures the essence of this culturally significant festival. The picture of 52 ghats, the picture of the tribals living nearby and the picture of the beautiful lake satisfy everyone’s mind. While playing Holi, before taking pictures, take care of the photography equipment like camera, smartphone etc. only because the colors can damage the equipment.
9. Participation Guidelines and Etiquette: Participating in Pushkar Holi provides an opportunity to learn about the cultural sensitivity and etiquette to be followed while participating. Local traditions are respected, ensuring a harmonious celebration for all involved.
10. To cherish the memories: Pushkar I end the blog by emphasizing on the lasting memories and cultural insights gained through the vibrant celebration of Holi. I encourage readers to add this unique experience to their bucket list.

Conclusion: Holi of Pushkar is a testimony to the rich cultural image of Rajasthan. With a blend of spirituality, tradition and sheer enthusiasm, the festival drenches the city in an atmosphere of colours, offering a cultural experience that is visually stunning and emotionally beautiful. The nearest railway station to reach here is Ajmer which is 11 kilometers away and the nearest airports are (Kishangarh 25km away) and (Jaipur 130km away) Rajasthan.