Introduction
Manibandha or Manivedika Shakthi Peeth is the place where Sati’s wrists fell. Here Sati is worshipped as Gayatri or Saraswathi and Lord Shiva as Sarvananda.
Location
The temple is located in Pushkar, Rajastan. The temple is located in a calm and beautiful environment with the Pushkar Lake in the background providing a splendid view to the visitor.
Pushkar is well connected by all the three means of transport. The nearest railway station is at Ajmer, 11 kms from Pushkar. Ajmer is well connected by trains from across the country. Pink City Express or Shatabdi Express runs frequent rail services between Delhi- Jaipur to Pushkar.
Frequency of buses that ply from Delhi, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Indore and Jaipur to Pushkar is also good. Marwar bus station is the nearest bus stand to Pushkar. From Ajmer, Pushkar is 11 kms. Private cabs are also easily available to reach Pushkar.
Sanganer Airport, Jaipur (146 kms from Pushkar) is the nearest airport connecting Pushkar to other cities and other countries. There are regular flights between Pushkar and Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Udaipur, Indore etc.
Other places of tourist interest
a) Pushkar Lake is a major tourist spot. This is a holy lake formed when a lotus flower fell from Brahma’s hand when he killed a demon named Vajranabha and a lake emerged at that spot. Pushkar means blue lotus. There is reference to Pushkar Lake in Padma Purana and the Lake is one of Panch Sarovars.
b) Savitri Devi temple on the right side of Manibandhan temple is located on the Ratnagiri Hill. Here an idol of Goddess Saraswathi is there in the temple.
c) Bandharej, Bangarh Fort, Madhopur is another tourist attraction.
d) Lord Brahma Temple is one of the most important famous temples here. The Brahma temple was built during 14th Century CE. The image of Lord Brahma is huge and is one of the few temples where Lord Brahma is worshipped. Pushkar Brahma temple is the only place in the world where puja is offered to Lord Brahma. The other temples of Lord Brahma are located in Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh, Khedbrahma in Gujarat, village Asotra near Balotra of Barmer district in Rajastan; Uttamar Kovil near Srirangam, Tamil Nadu.
The temple timings
The temple is closed after noon.
Festivals and Fairs
Navaratri and Durga Puja are celebrated with great fervour. Pushkar Mela (fair) is a big draw among people celebrated on the banks of Pushkar lake. The fair is held during Kartik Ekadashi to Karthik Poornima (November) for five days. During the fair, camels are brightly dressed and decorated, camel races are held; song, music, dance is played out and an exhibition is also held which draws people from across the globe.
