Melody emanated from the strings of ravanahatha was completely in sync with the swaying marigold garlands hanging from the banyan tree. The lakeside teemed with activities—devotees offering prayers, a troupe of traditional musicians warming up, domestic visitors finding themselves drawn to the ghats, some dancing-swaying-hoola-hooping hippies. Here and there musicians played their instruments, providing great photo-ops—Pushkar Lake was a sight to behold and a place to be in. I was there for  Shree Cement The Sacred Pushkar festival (December 16-17). Surrounding the sacred lake are 10 ghats—the Varaha Ghat, the Dadhich Ghat, Saptarishi Ghats, Gwalior Ghat, Kota Ghat, Gau ghat, Yag Ghat, Jaipur Ghat, Karni Ghat and Gangaur Ghat. I had some time to spare before the musical evening started, so I decided to take a walk along the ghats. The lake seemed to come to life in ways only one can understand, depending on what you choose to observe. For me, the combination of music, the story of Brahma, the nip in the air, faces and people’s movements closed the deal. The ethereal world of Pushkar is no poetic imagination.

Precious Kamei
A troupe of traditional performers take rest by the lakeside
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The sacred Pushkar Lake
The sacred Pushkar Lake
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Kota Ghaat, one of the ten ghaats surrounding the holy Pushkar Lake.
A dog keeps (friendly) watch over Kota Ghaat, one of the ten ghaats surrounding the holy Pushkar Lake.
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Shree Cement The Sacred Pushkar Festival by the lakeside.
Shree Cement The Sacred Pushkar Festival by the lakeside.
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Live sufi performance at Shree Cement The Sacred Pushkar Festival.
Live sufi performance at Shree Cement The Sacred Pushkar Festival.
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The crowd waits patiently as the performers get ready for the event.
The crowd waits patiently as the performers get ready for the event.
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The wait for the festival to kickstart was not dull at all.
The wait for the festival to kickstart was not dull at all.
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Come for the music or spiritual experiences, the ethereal charm of Pushkar is unforgettable.
Come for the music or spiritual experiences, the ethereal charm of Pushkar is unforgettable.
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A pujari at Mahadev Ghaat
A pujari at Mahadev Ghaat
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It's fun to be around at the music festival.
It's fun to be around at the music festival.
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For a great view of the lake and good vegetarian food.
For a great view of the lake and good vegetarian food.
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Traditional performers warm up before they join the guided heritage walk around the lake.
Traditional performers, a part of the guided heritage walk, warms up before they join the walk.
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The ghaats at sunset offer great photo-ops.
The ghaats at sunset offer great photo-ops.