#5 Pushkar
Holiest of cities for Hindus. It is said that every Hindu should go there at least once in his life to complete the karma circle.
The only city with a temple for Brahma who, so the myths, was courses by his wife Saraswati that he cannot be worshiped in any other city, after marying his second wife, Gayatri, a mortal woman.
The city with 1000 temples where, statistically, you encounter a place for worship every 5 steps.
While the Ganges is seen as the 'mother' in India, Pushkar lake is the 'father'. Places for daily and monthly wonderful ceremonies I was blessed to witness during my stay.
Every evening, a fire ceremony takes place to thank the lake for it's blessing. Every full- and new moon an additional, powerful ceremony worships the lake full with fire and chanting. Additionally, women from the surrounding village visit the city to take a bath at each of the 52 'Ghates' around the lake for additional blessing. During these days the little streets burst with colours and life.
It is truly a place for worship. Prayers and ceremony are embedded in daily life as is brushing your teeth. Often, when I gave someone money, they hold it first to their forehead to appreciate it.
Even little shops have an altar, where owners take time for their daily prayers. And the customers have to wait.
After the last big cities Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, the friendliness, ease and devotedness of this city is nourishment for the soul. During my first walks through the city I teared up. 'This is why I came to India'. A city where spirituality can not only be seen but felt.
At every corner you are greeted with 'Namaste' or the more advanced, spiritual greeting 'Ram Ram'. This was the first city where it felt safe to be outside, even after dark. The first city where walking through the shops did not feel like an obstacle race where you need to defend yourself against shop owners waning to sell you their stuff every 2 meters.
A city where I met a lot of internationals who stay there for several weeks even to learn a new skill (ie Jewelery making) or are there to do business (mostly fashion-related).
A city where I managed to breath, to slow down and to experienced the little and big spiritual ceremonies, acts and beliefes that are so ingrained.
The highlight of my stay was a ceremony I did with a Brahman to worship, thank, and ask for blessing and health for my living and dead relatives.
Goodbye, Pushkar. Until we meet again!
