Another clear sunny day in Pushkar, and today we started with an ascent of the Ratnagiri Hill by ropeway (gondola). At the top is a temple for the godess Savitri, wife of Shiva. There is a great view over Pushkar from the top, showing how the town lies around the sacred lake which has great religious significance for Hindus.
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| Looking down on Pushkar from the summit of Ratnagiri Hill |
Pushkar is important to Hindus as one of the places they should visit in their lifetimes, to visit the temple of Lord Brahma (one of few in India) and to bathe in the sacred waters of the lake. The camel fair runs for several days, starting with the camel, horse and cattle trading and then moving on after about three days to the start of the religious side.
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| One of many old men on a spiritual journey in Pushkar |
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| Indian police in Pushkar, male and female. |
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| Looking across the lake. It is surrounded by "ghat" or stepped bathing areas. |
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| Monkeys watching the humans at the top of the ropeway. |
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| In the market |
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| Colourful quilts hanging overhead. (And clear blue sky!) |
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| Anyone like a sultana? How about 1,000,000 sultanas? |
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| Motorcycle ninja. Youths ride back and forth through the market crowds, to annoy NZ tourists. |
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| Vivid pigments for sale. |
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| Still huge queues outside banks today. We have almost no cash left! |
The money crisis continues today. Thousands queue at money machines and banks to change old notes for new, or to withdraw new cash. The banks and machines run out of money. Our guide Kuldeep assures us it will all sort itself out "soon"....
