Pushkar

Hippies and Monkeys

13.10.2009

On Friday we arrive in Pushkar, the smallest place we've been so far. The town has a lake that Hindus believe was created when Brahma dropped a lotus flower in the desert. All very romantic, so it's a shame that the lake was dry! The government has decided to drain the lake as it was in need of a clean, thousands of fishes were dying, leaving a rotten smell over the town. So, other than the bathing ghats around the sides of the lake, there was no water! It is a very spiritual town for Hindus, with hundreds of temples and many make pilgrimages here. Alongside that though, it attracts a lot of western hippy types, making the town feel almost European compared with other parts of India we have seen and felt very laid back.

The next morning we get up for a 5am start to walk up to the Savitri Temple at the top of a hill (felt like a mountain, mind) and watch the sun rise. There are steps all the way up, but the walk was exhausting! As daylight appears dozens of monkeys appear. They're very cheeky and steal the bags of sweets that Hindus buy to offer to their Gods in the Temple. The sunrise is lovely, made all the better by all the monkeys though!