Devotees take holy dip in Pushkar Lake

Pushkar (Rajasthan), Nov. 1 : Hundreds of devotees from different parts of the country took a holy dip at the Pushkar Lake on the occasion of Kartika Poornima on Sunday.

This ritual holy dip is locally known as Shahi Snan (royal bath).

Prior to the holy dip, many Hindu monks and priests took out a procession through the streets of Pushkar with a message for the masses to keep the lake free from pollution.

Every year, to mark this occasion, these people gather at Saptrishi Ghat of the lake and the locals say that it has been observed from immemorial.

Many of the priests appealed to the tourists to bring back the lost glory of the lake since it has almost dried up due to lack of ample rainfall.

Certain Samaritans came forth to 'liven up' the lake through water tankers from other places.

The local administration too had to provide water tankers near the ghats (bathing places) for the pilgrims and asked devotees to take bath there.

--ANI