 Though
blessed with meritorious qualities all the year round, the waters of the lake
are especially auspicious on the full moon day of Kartik. According to a legend,
a king came on a hunting spree to Pushkar from a nearby kingdom. He paused by
the waters of the lake to wash himself and quench his thirst. The moment he put
his hand into the lake, he was cured of a nasty skin disease he had been cursed
with. As this news spread, more and more people came to bathe in the lake. They
were cured of illnesses, relieved from misfortune, and assured a place in heaven.
This resulted in the overcrowding of heaven. The gods appealed to Brahma to moderate
the blessings he had bestowed on the lake. Brahma then dictated that certain powers
of the waters would be reduced; to hold good only on the four days preceding the
annual full moon called Kartik Purnima. Till today, people visit the lake on the
full moon day of Kartik with the hope of attaining salvation. Taking a holy dip
in the most meritorious place, at the most auspicious hour, absolves them of any
sins they might have committed. Ancestor worship is also an important aspect of
this pilgrimage. People offer pindas to their ancestors, employing the services
of one of the many priests available at the ghats for this. Oblations to Agni,
heaven, earth, and Yama are also offered.
The nearby temple of Saraswati also attracts many married women, especially from
Bengal, who worship the goddess and seek the boon of eternal company with their
spouse. |
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