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Jagatpita Brahma Temple

Pushkar, Ajmer district, Rajasthan (near Pushkar Lake)

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Jagatpita Brahma Temple
Photo: Vberger, Public domain

About

The Jagatpita Brahma Temple at Pushkar, close to the holy Pushkar Lake, is the best-known temple of Brahma ji, the creator, and one of the very few in India dedicated to him. Its red shikhar can be seen from far away, and a hamsa (swan), Brahma ji's vahan, is carved at the entrance. In the sanctum is a marble murti of four-faced Brahma ji, with Mata Gayatri beside him. Devotees have set silver coins into the floor and walls as offerings. Pilgrims first bathe in Pushkar Lake and then come for darshan, especially on Kartik Purnima.

The story

The Padma Puran tells that Brahma ji killed a demon named Vajranabh with his weapon, a lotus flower. Petals of the lotus fell at three places, and three lakes were formed there: Jyeshtha Pushkar, Madhya Pushkar and Kanishtha Pushkar. Brahma ji then decided to perform a great yagya at the main lake.

At the auspicious hour of the yagya, his wife Savitri had not yet come, as she was waiting for the other goddesses. The yagya could not be completed without a wife at his side, so Brahma ji married Gayatri and completed it with her. When Savitri arrived and saw this, she was angry and cursed Brahma ji that he would not be worshipped anywhere; later she softened the curse and allowed his worship at Pushkar. The story says this is why temples of Brahma ji are so rare. Savitri then went to the Ratnagiri hill, where her temple stands today.

The present temple building is believed to date from the 14th century. Tradition says Adi Shankaracharya renewed the worship here, and later the temple was repaired by Maharaja Jawat Raj of Ratlam.

Visiting

October to March is the best season; the Pushkar fair in Kartik (October–November) is colourful but very crowded. Ajmer is about 15 km away. For a fine view of the lake, climb to the Savitri Mata temple on Ratnagiri hill. By temple custom only sanyasi priests enter the sanctum, and offerings are made through them.

Festivals

  • Kartik Purnima and the Pushkar fair
  • Special puja on every Purnima and Amavasya

Famous temples

Sources