I never expected Pushkar to be as colorful and filled with markets as it was and could have spent the day wandering through the small streets and stalls. The town really deserved more than the few hours we had time to spend there.
The best part of the market is the street beginning at Pushkar Lake and leading towards the Brahma Temple where most of the shops, restaurants, internet cafes, etc., are located. Small lanes then lead down to the ghats and temples on the lakeside portion of the street while still other lanes filled with more stalls selling everything continue from to the Brahma Temple.
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Pushkar had the best all around shopping during this particular trip through India but be very careful walking along the street which isn’t pedestrian friendly. Automobiles and motorcycles (particularly motorcycles) whiz along missing pedestrians by a hair. It’s really a miracle that people weren’t bleeding all over the street. Marine Steve was constantly grabbing my arm to pull me out of danger and I can’t even imagine what Pushkar looks like during the Camel Fair.
One item that grabbed my attention was what looked like padded doughnut rings. These padded hoops are traditionally given to a bride and used to carry water on her head. At first I thought guide Abi was joking but, no, they are really used. I always wondered how women managed to keep water jugs properly balanced on heads and now I know how; there’s a padded ring under it. There is much to buy in Pushkar and I thought prices were reasonable.
The market street is also filled with beautiful old heritage buildings. Don’t forget to look up occasionally.
A few don’ts while in Pushkar:
– Smoking in public is prohibited;
– Liquor and meat is not served;
– Men should wear pants;
– No skimpy clothes on women;
– Go barefoot along the ghats and near Lake Pushkar; and
– Don’t take photographs of people bathing in the lake.