Savitri Temple Pushkar on Ratnagiri Hill is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus and a great viewpoint location for visitors to Pushkar– here’s what you need to know to visit.
Savitri Temple, also known as Savitri Mata is a Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to the Goddess Savitri which sits atop the crest of Ratnagiri Hill near Pushkar town. It’s also an excellent viewpoint earned after a steep but relatively short 15-minute walk from the lake or a quick cable car (ropeway) ride.
The view looks out over the entire Pushkar oasis as well as the surrounding valley landscape, earning its title for the best viewpoint in Pushkar!
How to Get to Savitri Temple Pushkar
The Savitri temple is located just a short 15-minute walk southwest of Pushkar Ghat. In fact, you can spot the temple resting atop Ratnagiri Hill from most points in Pushkar.
In true Pushkar fashion, immediately upon arrival at the base of the hill, you'll notice stalls and vendors selling everything from chai to jewelry. The steep incline of stairs begins just past these vendors.
These stairs are large and steep. Apparently, there are over 200 steps, which are an important part of the pilgrimage to this site for Hindu people. So, get your step on in time for sunrise or sunset and enjoy the view!
Location: Savitri Devi Temple
The Savitri Temple Ropeway
You'll likely also notice the Savitri Temple Ropeway, or cable car which operates from the base of the hill. I've been told that the price is 165 rupees per person. However, this can apparently fluctuate with the season.
Current prices (up & down):
| Ticket | Rate |
|---|---|
| Per person | 165 IR |
| Disabled Person | Children up to 3 |
| Child up to 3 | Free |
In all honesty, I'd recommend the walk instead of taking the ropeway. While it is steep, I'm a firm believer that viewpoints are more rewarding after a bit of sweat.
Ropeway Timings
The ropeway operates from 8 am to 7 pm. Consequently, you could take it up for sunset, but you'll need to get the legs turning if you want to enjoy the Savitri Temple view for sunrise.
There is plenty of space beneath the ropeway to park your motorbike or car.
Note that there are only 4 sets of 3 cars. And, each car seats only eight people. Therefore, the wait time may be long in the busy season.
Tip: Try to get into the last car up and the first car down for the best views.
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to visit the Savitri Temple in Pushkar. However, you can offer a donation at the entrance if you feel obliged. We weren't asked or pressured to leave a donation but dropped 50 rupees in as a gesture of goodwill.
My Experience at Savitri Mata Temple & Viewpoint
After passing onlooking monkeys and gaining an increasingly better view as we climbed, we soon reached the Savitri Mata temple at the top of the hill.
Once we arrived, we needed to take off our shoes. We left them near the entrance.
From here, we were free to explore the temple and enjoy the view from here or continue on a little further along the Ratnagiri ridge for incredible views over the camel-dotted desert valley. We found some great viewpoints leading on from a dusty trail at the back of the temple.
There were a few large boulders and a rocky outcrop here where we got some amazing photos of the temple against a beautiful sunset backdrop.
Hindu Pilgrimage Site
As touched on above, this temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to the wife of Lord Brahma, Savitri. The Savitri Mata Temple was built in 1687, and has stood the test of time. Inside the temple you can also get a glimpse of the 1,300-year-old idols of Savitri and Gayatri.
Where to Stay in Pushkar
There are so many accommodation options to choose from in PushkarI but I highly recommend finding a place that is near to the lake. This means you'll be within walking distance of all the top attractions.
- Where I stayed: Madpackers Pushkar - This hostel made my entire visit to Pushkar and the vibe fits the destination perfectly. It was rated India's best hostel in the world a few years back by Hostelworld for its vibe, three terraces, a rooftop chilling area, and a yoga/camping terrace.
- Terraced Hotel near the lake: Inn Seventh Heaven - an amazing hotel with stunning views of the desert oasis.
- Best-value private room: Cooking Art & Homestay - the top-rated homestay in Pushkar with amazing hosts who will treat you to an authentic Pushkar experience!
If you have any questions or updated information for other travelers, help out by leaving a comment below.
Otherwise, check out some of my other blogs and write-ups for India travel inspiration and guides.
- Epic 1-month India Itinerary - the ultimate India travel itinerary covering the best places to go and things to see.
- Taj Mahal View Locations - best spots to see & photograph the Taj Mahal.
- Things to do in Rishikesh - explore the adventure & yoga capital of India in this travel guide.
- Training & HMI Darjeeling - my experience completing my Basic Mountaineering Course in Darjeeling.
- India Packing List - everything you need to bring on a trip to India (and what you should leave at home)
