Naga Hill Attractions
*Naga Hill or the Snake Mountain as it means, stands as a divider
between the Pushkar Lake and the city of Ajmer.
*The mountain is famous for Panch Kund and the cave of saint Agastya
and it is believed that the 4th century poet & playwright Kalidas
composed Abhigyanam Shakuntalam here.
*Here goes an interesting belief that the Naga Hill is the oldest
hill in the world and that it was a few million feet high some
thousand years ago. Moreover it is said that by the time Kalayuga
ends, the hill will sink down to the earth!
*On top of the Naga Hill is a tank called the Naga Kund, which is
connected to an interesting Hindu myth. It is said that those who come
here on the 5th day of Shravan (July/August) have their wishes
fulfilled with the benevolence of Vatu - grandson of Brahma,also a
great source of attraction.
¤ Legendary Belief
Common belief goes that this is the oldest hill in the world, and the
people here won’t accept a contradictory statement to this
effect. The Naga hill was actually a mountain thousands of years ago,
and it was supposedly a few million feet high. Then it’s height
began to decrease, but the hill wasn’t to blame – it was the
earth which was sinking! and then it is also said that by the time the
kala yuga (the era of violence, greed, ignorance and vice) ends, the
hill would have sunk right down into the earth. Another local notion
is that a visit to this temple will deliver one from all misfortunes
while in Pushkar.
¤ Naga Kund
On a travel tour to Naga Hill do visit Naga Tank another attraction
on top of the hills. Naga Kund, story revolves around another Hindu
myth. Long ago there lived Chyavan, a rishi (one well versed with
Hindu scriptures). Apparently he didn’t like Brahma’s
grandson Vatu and cursed him to become a slimy snake for the rest of
his life. This happened on the second day of an important sacrifice
because the artful Vatu brought along a snake and let it loose on
Chyavan’s father Bhrigu, who suddenly found a snake coiled around
him. Understandably, being Bhrigu’s son, Chyavan was rather
annoyed and out came the curse.
¤ Kund Holds Devin Power
Vatu promptly appealed to grandfather Brahma to undo the curse, and
the Creator immediately blessed him and said that he could live near
the kund (water tank) as a human. Much relieved with this prospect,
Vatu ventured forth and prayed for some time, performed a yagna (fire
sacrifice) and lived happily ever after. Those who come here on the
5th day of Shravan (July/August in the Hindu calender) have their
wishes fulfilled with the benevolence of Vatu.
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