PUSHKAR

city, Rajasthan state, northwestern India. The city, a pilgrimage centre, contains five principal temples, all of modern construction since the earlier buildings were destroyed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (reigned 16581707). The principal temple and Pushkar Lake are dedicated to the god Brahma. Bathing ghats (stairways descending to the water) surround the lake, to which great sanctity is attached, and a religious fair there is attended annually by thousands of pilgrims. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 11,497.