Is Pushkar Safe For Solo Female Travellers? All You Need To Know

Is Pushkar safe for solo female travellers? If you’ve been considering a trip to Pushkar in Rajasthan but are wondering if Pushkar is safe then you’re in the right place.

Pushkar is known as one of the holiest places in India thanks to its connection with Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe). 

It is most famous for its lake, which is said to have been created by the Lord Brahma when he dropped the petals of a lotus flower onto the land. 

It’s this lake, among many other incredible things to do in Pushkar which draws thousands of tourists and locals every day.

Out of all the places I explored in Rajasthan, Pushkar was one of the more chilled spots which served as a great respite from the chaos of India.

On top of that, it was also one of the most enchanting places, and it’s an absolute must-add to any India itinerary.

Concerns about female safety in India are well-known, and with only 58% of Indian women feeling safe in the country, it’s understandable.

However, I’m writing this guide to reassure you that concerns about female safety in India shouldn’t deter you from visiting this unique and spiritual town as a solo female traveller.

Honestly, I felt very safe during my time in Pushkar.

And, to be frank, I felt relatively safe throughout my 6-week solo journey through India.

I spent just 2 days in Pushkar but felt I got a good sense of the town and how to stay safe as a solo female traveller (and I’m here to share all my tips!).

So, is Pushkar safe for solo female travellers?

Keep reading to find out!

_{Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you ?}

Prepare for your trip to Pushkar

The subject of safety 

I want to start by acknowledging that safety is a deeply personal and subjective matter.

While I personally felt quite safe during my time in Pushkar and India overall, I’m aware that there are accounts from women who haven’t had the same experience in India.

It’s true that some places might not be ideal for solo female travellers, but I don’t believe that India—or Pushkar, in particular—is among them.

Often, when unpleasant or unsafe situations occur, it can be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, which is largely beyond our control (as there are both good and bad people in every country).

For instance, the place where I felt the most unsafe in all my travels was Paris, where I nearly got mugged, and a friend had a sketchy encounter with an Uber driver.

Paris is generally considered safer than many places in India.

So, while I believe you can keep yourself safe as a solo female traveller in Pushkar, I can’t guarantee that your experience will mirror mine.

How to keep safe as a solo female traveller in Pushkar

To be completely honest, most of these tips are not exclusive to Pushkar, it’s how I practice safety as a solo female traveller no matter where I travel. 

However, there are one or two which you will see below that are very specific to Pushkar. 

Where to stay in Pushkar as a solo female traveller 

As a solo female traveller in Pushkar, I would recommend staying as close to the city centre as possible.

Here are some of the best places to stay in Pushkar: 

• Madpackers Pushkar 
• Moustache Pushkar 
• Inn Seventh Heaven 
• Kanhai Haveli 

How to dress in Pushkar as a solo female traveller 

In Pushkar, as a woman, it’s important to dress fairly modestly, especially when visiting places of worship like temples.

If you’re unsure about what to wear in Pushkar, I recommend keeping your knees covered at all times by opting for trousers or long skirts, and carrying a shawl or scarf for additional coverage when needed (such as covering your shoulders in temples).

It’s worth noting that it’s not uncommon for Rajasthani women to show a bit of stomach in their traditional attire, so I don’t see a significant issue with wearing a simple crop top in Pushkar. I did so myself and didn’t encounter any major problems.

Don’t walk by yourself at night 

As a woman, this one probably goes without saying, and I haven’t met many women who do this whether they’re at home or abroad.

Still, I think it’s important to mention.

One of the great things about Pushkar is that the central area around the lake is always bustling with people, so I never felt unsafe walking through these streets at night.

That said, I avoided walking alone down smaller, less busy streets outside of the central lake after dark.

If your accommodation is further from the city centre, or if you’re feeling uneasy, it’s always a good idea to take a tuk-tuk.

Be careful of the scams in Pushkar 

For such a small place there are quite a few scams in Pushkar, and scammers see solo female travellers in Pushkar as very easy targets. 

Here are some of the scams you need to be aware of. 

• Fake Priests: Tourists are offered prayer rituals by fake priests who then demand high fees, claiming it will bring blessings or avoid bad luck. They may also say that you need a red string bracelet to enter the lake, which is not true. 
• Pushkar Passport: Locals may try to sell a fake “Pushkar Passport” for temple access or blessings.
• Flower Offerings: Tourists are given flowers to offer at the lake, and then pressured to make large donations.
• Overpriced Goods: Market vendors often inflate prices for tourists, even after bargaining.
• Fake Guides: Some people pose as guides, charging high fees or falsely claiming entry fees are required.
• Transportation Scams: Auto-rickshaws may overcharge or take tourists to shops where they earn a commission.
• Fake Sadhus: Imposters dressed as holy men may demand money for blessings or photos.

I very nearly got caught out by the “Fake Priest” scam, ​​I simply walked away without paying and thankfully faced no repercussions but if you can avoid it all together, it’s best. 

Avoid Pushkar during religious holidays

Since Pushkar is one of the holiest places in India, it has become a major hub for religious holidays.

Two of the main holidays I would suggest avoiding if you’re planning a visit to Pushkar are Maha Shivratri and Holi Festival.

Holi, the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring, is a major Hindu festival and Pushkar is known as THE place to celebrate Holi in Rajasthan. 

However, Holi celebrations in Pushkar can become particularly intense, and I’ve heard numerous firsthand accounts from women who have unfortunately experienced groping during this festival.

If you do plan on celebrating Holi in Pushkar try and meet a group of people to go with (if you plan on staying in a Hostel whilst in Pushkar this shouldn’t be too difficult to do). 

Be careful of Bhang Lassi’s 

If you’re not familiar with Bhang Lassi, it’s essentially a traditional Indian lassi infused with cannabis.

It’s legal and quite popular, with Pushkar being one of the top spots to try it.

Now, I’m not here to play the role of your mum and tell you not to give it a go. You’re an adult and can make that choice for yourself.

However, if you do decide to try it, make sure you’re in a group with people you trust.

I tried it with some fellow backpackers from my hostel (during my time in Varanasi), and I had no idea what I was getting into.

It was incredibly strong, hit me like a truck, and I was hallucinating on and off for four hours.

I didn’t enjoy it at all and wouldn’t touch it again! So, proceed with caution.

Stay connected- Download an eSIM or get a local SIM

I absolutely never travel to a foreign country solo without making sure I have access to data. It’s a lifesaver if you ever get lost or find yourself in a tricky situation.

One thing I always do when I’m in a taxi or tuk-tuk is to check Google Maps to ensure the driver is heading in the right direction. It’s not that I ever felt truly unsafe, but it gives me peace of mind.

If your phone is unlocked, getting a local SIM (Airtel is the best network) will likely be the most cost-effective option.

But if that’s not possible, there are plenty of eSIM companies nowadays that let you download an eSIM easily.

The ones I’ve found work best in India are Airalo and Holafly. 

Avoid sharing your accommodation details with strangers (or posting them on social media until you’ve left).

While it’s unlikely that someone will track you down at your hotel or hostel just because you mentioned it in passing or tagged your location on Instagram, it’s not impossible, and it has happened to women before.

Make sure you are extra careful about who you share important and private information with.

Keep your family and friends informed about your whereabouts.

Make sure your loved ones know where you are and where you’re staying.

This not only provides them with peace of mind but also ensures they have essential information in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.

Google Translate offline 

Although many people in India, including Pushkar, speak English, it’s still a good idea to have Google Translate (or a similar app) downloaded for those times when communication becomes a challenge.

Catching night buses in Pushkar

One of the most affordable ways to travel around India is by taking a night bus.

If you’re planning to catch a night bus out of Pushkar, I recommend asking your tuk-tuk or Uber driver to wait with you until the bus arrives.

Keep in mind that most of the “bus stops” are just random spots along the road rather than actual bus stations.

In my experience, most drivers are happy to assist, and some might ask for an extra 100-200 rupees, which is a small price to pay for your safety.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that most buses depart/arrive in the city of Ajmer, which is about 35 minutes from Pushkar

You research bus transport options via 12goAsia or Redbus.

Bad experiences in Pushkar as a solo female traveller 

I’m happy to report that I didn’t have any negative experiences during my time in Pushkar.

However, I did feel more uncomfortable while waiting for a bus in the nearby city of Ajmer (thankfully, this was during the day).

Ajmer was one of the few places in India where I genuinely felt like I was being stared at like a piece of meat, where the men wouldn’t break their stare.

Personally, I would avoid being alone in Ajmer at night, especially if you’re waiting for a bus, as the bus stop is in a quieter part of the city.

You might also enjoy…

• The ULTIMATE 2-Day Pushkar Itinerary
• Is India Safe For Solo Female Travellers?
• Is Varanasi Safe For Solo Female Travellers?

Happy (and safe) Travelling 

I hope this post has eased any concerns you may have had about visiting Pushkar as a solo female traveller. 

While safety is always a personal experience, I found Pushkar to be safe and welcoming.

By following the tips I’ve shared and staying mindful of your surroundings, you can enjoy everything Pushkar has to offer without worry. 

If you have any more questions or need further advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Happy (and safe) travelling!