Rajasthan’s BJP government is planning to take a leaf out of its fellow idealogue Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, and model a pilgrim hotspot out of Pushkar town, on the lines of Kashi and Ayodhya.
This plan was announced by Rajasthan’s deputy chief minister Diya Kumari, while closing the Pushkar Mela this weekend. She stated that the Central and Rajasthan governments will collaborate to develop Pushkar on the lines of Kashi-Vishwanath and Ayodhya.
“The Rajasthan government has devised a comprehensive plan for Pushkar’s development, which will be executed in collaboration with the Central government. The goal is not only to enhance religious tourism but also to improve the quality of life for local residents,” she said.
UP government had, in recent years, cleaned up and refurbished the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the holy temple town, as well as built the refreshingly new Ram temple in Ayodhya, giving a fillip to religious tourism in the country.
Rajasthan ostensibly hopes to repeat the formula with Pushkar, an idyllic town surrounding Pushkar Lake close to Ajmer (150km from the state capital Jaipur). It is well known as a pilgrim spot for Hindus as well as Sikhs, with many temples, ghats and gurdwaras. The most famous temple is the one dedicated to Brahma, the only one in the world.
Diya Kumari emphasised that Pushkar is not just a place of faith for Rajasthan but for the entire country. “The development plan for Pushkar is ready and will be implemented soon,” she said, adding that the development will integrate modern facilities while preserving the region’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
She highlighted that the beautification of Pushkar Lake and its surrounding ghats, along with the development of better facilities for religious tourists and visitors, are part of the government’s plans. Additionally, efforts to promote tourism and cultural events will be intensified.
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While the Brahma temple does draw domestic tourists, Pushkar’s other draw is its annual fair, with its camel market and other attractions. Foreign tourists particularly love the town’s laid-back ‘Indian exotica’ charm, with havelis and traditional buildings galore in every other alleyway. This year’s Fair, which concluded on the full moon night this weekend, reported 6 lakh Indians and 20,000 foreign tourists for the seven-day event, according to Rajasthan’s tourism department.
“There is a need to blend Pushkar’s traditions with modern amenities, ensuring it becomes one of India’s premier religious and cultural destinations,” Diya Kumari added.