Is Pushkar safe?
Generally safe and relaxed. Ghat priests demanding donations and drug sellers are the main hassle; keep belongings secure and take care in crowds during the fair.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate in India: 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in India: 15.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Pushkar at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft, aggressive donation demands at the ghats, and drug offers to travelers. Occasional bag snatching in fair crowds. |
| At night | Lively cafés until about 10–11 pm; lanes then empty. Streets near the lake are dim, so carry a torch. |
| Solo women | Common for solo women to visit. Expect staring and persistent touts; avoid empty ghats after dark and be firm with priests. |
| Other risks | Strong sun and heat; Stray dogs and monkeys; Crowds during the Camel Fair |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Priests handing you flowers, then demanding large 'donations' at the ghat
- Rickshaw drivers claiming your hotel is full or closed
- Overpriced henna, massage or camel offers on the main street
Take care
- Accepting rituals from priests at the ghat: agree no payment first
- Drugs and bhang sold in shops: police enforce drug laws
- Fair crowds in November: pickpockets
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
How Pushkar compares in India
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kochi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kolkata | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dharamshala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chennai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varkala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hampi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amritsar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jaisalmer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pushkar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palolem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Munnar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alleppey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shimla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Delhi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Goa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mumbai | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Agra | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Varanasi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bangalore | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Udaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Anjuna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Pushkar safe for solo female travelers?
Common for solo women to visit. Expect staring and persistent touts; avoid empty ghats after dark and be firm with priests.
Is Pushkar safe at night?
Lively cafés until about 10–11 pm; lanes then empty. Streets near the lake are dim, so carry a torch.
What is the crime rate in Pushkar?
Petty theft, aggressive donation demands at the ghats, and drug offers to travelers. Occasional bag snatching in fair crowds. Nationally, India records 2.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Pushkar?
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
More about Pushkar
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Rajasthan Tourism
- Indian Railways (IRCTC)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.