Watching the sunset from the Savitri Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, is an exhilarating experience. To get the most out of your visit, take a look at our detailed guide, which contains everything you need to know about this incredible location. Don’t miss out – read our post and plan your perfect sunset experience at the Savitri Devi Temple today!
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What is the Savitri Devi Temple
The Savitri Devi Temple is a Hindu temple in Pushkar, India. It was built in the 18th century and is dedicated to Savitri, the Goddess of marriage, prosperity and fertility. The temple is visited by hundreds of devotees each year, and has a unique architecture with carvings and wall paintings depicting the life of Savitri.
The temple is known for its unique layout, which features nine spires representing the Nine Planets from the Hindu Zodiac system.
Savitri Devi is located on top of Sāvitri Pahār (Savitri Mountain). There is a series of steps leading to the main temple, but the steps are not too difficult to climb. You can find all the details about the hike in the dedicated chapter. In alternative, you can hop on the cable car which goes all the way up to the temple.
Expect to find many monkeys at the temple. The monkey population is quite large, and many of them can be seen in and around the temple complex. Avoid eating or drinking when around monkeys, as they may take any items left unattended or even grab them from your hands.
READ ALSO: Best things to do in Pushkar – Full backpacker guide
How to get to Savitri Devi Temple
The Savitri Devi Temple is located on top of a hill near Pushkar. It can be easily reached from the city centre by foot, as the Temple is only 2.2 km (1.37 mi) from the Pushkar Lake and 1.9km (1.18 mi) from the Brahma Temple.
The starting point of the hike is referred to as “Savitri Mata Temple”, and it is just 750 meters from the Brahma Temple. In our opinion this pin is incorrect, as there is no temple down there, but it’s just a gate where the stairs begin.
– BY WALK:
Walking is the best way to reach the Savitri Devi Temple. The way up takes about 30-45 minutes from the Pushkar Lake. It requires a bit of effort, but the views are a solid reward. Check out the following chapter for the hike details.
– BY CABLE CAR:
The cable car is open from 8AM to 7PM. You can get your tickets at a small counter at the beginning of the ropeway, and it costs 150 INR ($2 USD) per person for foreigners. The presence of a cable car is good news for older people as well as for those who don’t feel like climbing all the stairs to the temple.
Hike details
Savitri Devi Temple sits at about 716 meters (2.350 feet) above sea level, on top of the Savitri Mountain. The starting point of the hike is 200 meters below, at about 500 meters (1.650 feet). This is also the point where the cable car starts.
The trail is quite wide and offers stunning views of the surrounding city and lake along the entire way. Although the way up is quite steep, it is not long and there are also many points where you can take a break.
Overall it takes just 15-20 minutes to climb all the stairs and go from the base to the top of the Savitri hill. These steps lead to the terrace of the temple, where travellers can behold amazing views of the ancient city and its distant mountains.
There are as many as 1100 steps leading up to the Savitri Temple. Some locals climb them each day to offer prayers and seek blessings from Savitri. Others come here to catch a glimpse of the sacred river Saraswati, her waters believed to flow through the underground channels of Pushkar.
As well, believers flock to the steps during the annual Savitri Temple fair, held during the month of September, to witness a number of festivities, including vibrant music performances, devotional kirtans and traditional fire dances.
Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the city of Pushkar and the surrounding countryside. Even though we are still in the arid region of Rajasthan, you’ll see many green fields near Pushkar. This is due to the unique morphology of the area, thanks to the presence of many hills surrounding the city.
The temple from the outside is nothing special, as it looks more like a regular building. However, people come here either to pray or to enjoy the stunning views that the Savitri Hill offers over the nearby areas.
Just like Bahubali Hill in Udaipur, Savitri Temple is a gorgeous spot to watch sunset. To our surprise, there were almost no people here and the sun setting behind the hills was absolutely stunning.
We recommend walking past the temple until you reach the spot in the picture below. It’s really close by and it offers a better view than the one from the Savitri Devi Temple.
Best time to visit Savitri Temple
Sunset is the best time of the day to visit the Savitri Temple. We recommend to set off from the town of Pushkar a good couple of hours before sunset time, to reach the summit and have enough time to enjoy the views. Alternatively, the Savitri Temple can also be a good sunrise spot.
It is best to avoid visiting the Savitri Devi Temple in Pushkar during the hottest part of the day in the summer, as the heat can be very intense and oppressive.
Talking about seasons, the best time to visit the Savitri Temple is during the months of November to April, when the climate is cooler and the humidity is low. During these months, the temple is crowded with pilgrims and admirers, who come to pay their respects to the holy deity.
SAVITRI TEMPLE FAIR: The temple also hosts a grand annual fair in September, where devotees and curious travellers alike can witness traditional music and dances, as well as other festive activities.
Beware of the monkeys
Visitors to the Savitri Devi Temple in Pushkar should be aware of the many monkeys that inhabit the area. The monkeys are used to tourists, and may jump at people in order to grab any food or drinks they can find. Therefore, it is best to keep all food and valuables in your pockets or backpack when monkeys are around in order to avoid any problems.
It is important to keep a safe distance from any monkeys, and to avoid any direct eye contact.
