Pushkar

My first evening in Pushkar was not at all a pleasant one.

Hardly had I arrived in town and a man was giving me flowers and urging me to do an purda (offering) in one of the ghats (bathing stations by the lake). I was able to evade him and reach my hotel, however.

After sometime to rest and shower I was ready to go about town. No sooner I started walking through the Main Bazaar and noticed all the Hebrew signs (yes, many Israelis around here) come 2 men to urge aka bully me again to do a purda since I had to show respect to Pushkar. Three times I escape them but by the third time I just gave in so that I gave in. I have of course heard about these schemes but just wanted off of my back.

So I do the ceremony, throw flowers to the ghat and then we literally start bargaing how much my donation should be. First of all he looked far from being a priest to me. So when he suggested Rs 1,000 I could not help but sneer. Donation I pointed out was what I felt I should give, something from inside me and said would donate Rs 100. Of course the whole spiel of family happiness came into play but did not budge more than Rs 200. Everything paid (that did not feel like a donation at all) he has the cheek to ask for a gift for himself from my country. Honestly did he think I was going to give anything?

Irritated I am finally able to walk around town hassle free but the mood is gone. And when I got to the hotel I fall sick. The next 2 days I just stay indoors resting and recovering. Finally this morning I decided to venture outdoors. And my initial impression of Pushkar has somehow dissipated. The staff at the hotel were always prompt and courteous and so were all the merchants I came into contact.

I decided to hire a car to take me to Jodhpur tomorrow as my tummy can still be tricky and also since the buses can be seriously delayed and unreliable. Not sure how much of Jodhpur I will see since the goal is to get to the aiport in time for my flight to Udaipur.
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