The short answer
Panch Kund: what visitors should know first
Worth a short detour if you have a car and want a quiet shrine outside the busy lakeside. It is modest rather than grand, so fit it in on the way in or out of Pushkar. Allow 45 minutes to an hour including the drive.
Useful facts
Panch Kund facts at a glance
- Location
- About 2.5 km east of Pushkar town, in the hills on the Ajmer side
- Type
- Temple
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour including the drive
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, outside the midday heat; October to March is most comfortable
Why it matters
Why Panch Kund is worth your time
Pushkar is ringed by lesser shrines and sacred tanks that pilgrims visit as part of the wider Pushkar parikrama, and Panch Kund is one of the easiest to reach. Local tradition holds that the Pandavas stayed here during their exile, which is why it is also called the Pandava temple. For visitors it offers a glimpse of the quieter devotional landscape around the town, away from the crowds at the Brahma temple and the main ghats, and a view of the Aravalli hills that frame the lake.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Take an auto or taxi from Pushkar; it is a short ride east of town, and drivers know it as Panch Kund. The site is a small temple complex in the scrubby hills around Pushkar, with five stone-lined ponds, each named for a different sacred association: Naga, Surya, Ganga, Padma and Chakra. A separate shrine is dedicated to Hanuman.
Walk round the ponds slowly, remove your shoes where the priest indicates, and spend a few minutes at the Shiva shrine. It is usually far quieter than the lakeside temples, which is the main reason to come. Go back into town for lunch, or stop on your way to or from Ajmer.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Hire an auto or taxi for the return trip; there is little transport waiting at the site
- Carry water; shops nearby are few
- Steps around the ponds are uneven; watch your footing
- Dress modestly and remove shoes where asked
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 2.5 km east of Pushkar town, in the hills on the Ajmer side
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour including the drive
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, outside the midday heat; October to March is most comfortable
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- A car or auto can reach the shrine. The ponds are approached by stone steps, some uneven and without railings, so older visitors can stay at the upper level and still see the site. Shade is limited.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee. Offerings are optional.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Panch Kund
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
A car or auto can reach the shrine. The ponds are approached by stone steps, some uneven and without railings, so older visitors can stay at the upper level and still see the site. Shade is limited.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Panch Kund from Pushkar?
About 2.5 km east of the town, a short auto or taxi ride.
Why is it called Panch Kund?
Panch means five: the site has five sacred ponds, named Naga, Surya, Ganga, Padma and Chakra.
Is it suitable for seniors?
Yes, with a vehicle to the gate. The steps down to the ponds are uneven, but you can see the site from the upper level.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
