Despite living in Jaipur on and off for seven years, I’d never truly explored Rajasthan. And at the top of that ever-growing list? Pushkar. Tucked into the folds of the Aravalli hills, this little town wraps itself around a sacred lake, its edges traced with 52 ghats and over 500 temples. At the heart of it all is the Brahma Temple. Rare, revered, and quietly powerful. But Pushkar isn’t just another spiritual stop on the map. It hums with something older. Time moves differently here. Slower. Softer.
Roughly 145 km from Jaipur, it’s close enough for a weekend escape, but far enough to feel like you’ve stepped out of your usual rhythm. We had 48 hours, the middle of May (read: peak summer), and a royal villa at The Westin Pushkar waiting for us. Here’s what unfolded.
Day 1: The Heat, the Holy & the Unexpected
7:30 am: On The Road
We left Jaipur just after sunrise, chasing cooler hours and empty roads. The drive to Pushkar? Easy, open, and scenic. Just about 2.5 hours of Aravalli-dusted views. Somewhere along the way, we stopped for flaky kachoris (hot take: better than Jaipur’s) and steaming roadside chai. A cow or four wandered over for snacks. Turns out, if you feed one, you’re basically hosting brunch for ten.
10:00 am: Check-in, Cool down, Crash
We arrived at The Westin Pushkar to a seamless check-in. Our Royal Villa was ready (always a win). Fries were ordered, curtains drawn, and a post-drive nap ensued. The 39°C sun could do its thing and we weren’t dealing with it.
5:00 pm: Buttermilk + Bad Energy Detox
Post pakoras and chilled chass in the lobby, we headed to the Brahma Temple. A short 10-minute drive from the hotel, and we were met by Pandit Kaushal Parashar, who walked us through the temple’s story before offering a short buri nazar puja. No theatrics. Just a few quiet mantras, closed eyes, and something invisible lifting. It was my first time asking the universe for that kind of clarity. I left feeling… light.
7:00 pm: Cold Showers + Thali Dreams
Back at the villa, we rinsed off the heat and slipped into something more comfortable (like a Rajasthani thali). Gatta curry, ker sangri, rose churma, each bite hit the spot. Nourishing, nostalgic, and honestly, the perfect ending to a day that somehow felt sacred.
Day 2: Blessings, Baths & Boutique Finds
5:30 am: Sunrise & Spirituality
We were up before the sun, showered and on the road by 6:00 AM for Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The hotel had arranged a visit with Sayed Layaque Hussain Aghai Chisty, whose family holds the keys to the dargah, quite literally. Thirty minutes and a breezy rickshaw ride through the winding narrow gullies of Ajmer later, we reached. We offered a chadar and fresh flowers, then followed Sayed Layaque as he walked us through the dargah’s history. Stories folded into prayer, marble, and memory. We left with prasad in hand, and a quiet, full heart.
9:00 am: Back for Breakfast & Bliss
Back at the villa, we slipped into swimsuits, floated through breakfast (yes, in the pool), then melted into a long massage. This was the kind of morning that resets something inside you. Naturally, we napped again.
5:00 pm: High Tea & Ittar Trails
Evening called for chai and silver spoons. After tea, we stepped out to explore Pushkar’s famed shopping scene. The town is known for its silver jewellery and handicrafts. But what I came looking for was pure, alcohol-free rosewater, and ittar that lingers for hours. Pushkar, after all, is Rajasthan’s rose garden. Our favourite find? Niharika, a charming little store tucked beside the Brahma Temple, stocked with everything from gulkand and dried petals to incense and handcrafted scents. A few rose bottles and stories later, the heat got to us. Shopping dreams faded, showers beckoned.
7:30 pm: Dinner & Decompression
Back at the hotel, cool again, we ended our final night with a meal that felt reflective: light, lovely, and full of quiet conversation. We spoke about the dargah, the lightness of rituals, and how strange and beautiful it is to believe in something again. Slept in a bed the size of a small country. Deep, undisturbed.
Day 3: The Pushkar Afterglow
8:00 am: Packing Peace
A quick breakfast, one last coffee. And just like that, we were en route to Jaipur: lighter, softer, and maybe a little more hopeful than before.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot we didn’t get to. Like the Savitri Temple perched on a hilltop, which you reach by ropeway. It was under maintenance when we visited, so that’s bookmarked for next time. I also didn’t make it to the legendary malpua-rabri spot (I’m not much of a dessert person), but if you’ve got a sweet tooth, locals swear by it. Truthfully, the May heat slowed us down, and we didn’t get to explore the city as much as we’d hoped. But maybe that’s the point? Pushkar isn’t meant to be rushed. We hear the town transforms during the Camel Fair in November, and honestly, we’re already planning our return.
All images: currentmoodmag.travel