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INDIA
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History |
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Sightseeing |
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MAP |
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Holiday |
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Tour |
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Hotel |
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The history of Mount Abu is as diverse as the city
itself. It was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom of
Rajasthan and served as a summer resort for the Rajput
kings of the region. After that, it was leased by the
British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi
for use as the headquarter of the resident to
Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan).
During the British rule in India, it was the favorite
summer destination of the British, who came here to
escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains particularly
Rajasthan. It also served as a sanatorium for the
troops. The small huts and cottages here tell stories
of those times even today.
Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the
old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods
and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this
holy mountain. It is also the place where the great
saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna
(sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four
Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth
from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been
performed near a natural spring, which emerged from a
rock shaped like a cow's head.
According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow
Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free
herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for
assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine
stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could
float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such
mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest
son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the
chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of
Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as
Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form
- Mount Abu.
This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since
Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th
Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount
Abu and blessed the city.
Reaching Mount Abu
By Air
Udaipur is the nearest airport. Daily flight form
Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur are available to Udaipur.
By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses
from Jaipur and Abu Road to Mount Abu. It is also
connected by road to Delhi, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bundi and
Udaipur.
By Train
Abu Road is the nearest railway station and is about
22 kms from Mount Abu. And well connected by
Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur.
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GAUMUKH TEMPLE |
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Down on the Abu Road side of Mount Abu,
a small stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow,
giving the shrine its name. There is also a marble
figure of the bull Nandi, Shiva's vehicle. The tank
here, Agni Kund, is said to be the site of the
sacrificial fire, made by sage Vashistha, from which
four of the great Rajput clans were born. An image of
Vashishtha is flanked by the figures of Rama and
Krishna.
To reach the temple you have to take a path with 750
steps down to the valley.
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DELWARA JAIN TEMPLE |
The Temple complex includes two temples with exquisite
marble carvings. The older of the temples is the Vimal
Vasahi, built in 1031 by a Gujrati minister named Vimal.
It is dedicated to the first tirthankar (Jain
Teacher), Adinath. The central shrine contains an image
of Adinath, while around the courtyard are 57 identical
cells, each with a Budhdha like cross-legged image.
Forty eight elegantly carved pillars from the entrance
to the courtyard. In front of the temple stands the
House of Elephants, with figures of elephants marching
in procession to the temple.
The later Tejpal Temple is dedicated to Neminath, the
22nd tirthankar, and was built in1231 by the
brothers Tejpal and Vastupal. Like Vimal, they were
ministers in the government of the ruler of Gujarat.
Although the Tejpal temple is important as an extremely
old and complete example of Jain temple, its most
notable feature is the intricacy and delicacy of the
marble carving. It is so fine that, in places, the
marble becomes almost transparent. In particular the
lotus flower that hangs from the center of the dome is
an incredible piece of work. It is difficult to believe
that the huge lacelike filigree started as a solid block
of marble. The temple employs several full-time stone
carvers to maintain and restore the work.
There are three other temples in the enclosure, but they
are pale beside the Tejpal temple and Vimal Vasahi.
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ADHAR DEVI TEMPLE |
The Adhar Devi temple, about 3km north of town, is
chiseled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 365
steps. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance
of the temple. It is a favorite tourist spot.
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GURU SHIKHAR |
At the end of the plateau, 15km from Mount Abu, is Guru
Shikar, the highest point in Rajasthan at 1722m. A road
goes almost all the way to the summit. At the top is the
Atri Rishi Temple, complete with a priest and good views
all around.
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VIEW POINT |
Of the various points around the town, Sunset Point, 1.5
km from the tourist office of Mount Abu, is the most
popular. Hoards stroll out here every evening to catch
the setting sun, the food stalls and all the usual
entertainment. Is is a one kilometer walk from the road
to the viewpoint or you can hire a horse.
Honeymoon Point, 2.5 kms northwest on Ganesh Road, also
known as Andra Point, offers an enchanting view of the
verdant plains and valleys. The place looks most
beautiful during the dusk hours. The route to Honeymoon
Point goes past the Nakki Lake.
Other popular viewpoints include the Crags and the
Shanti shikhar. Shanti Sikhar, west of Adhar Devi
temple, presents panoramic views.
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