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Travel India Mount Abu’s Scenic Beauty and
Historical Heritage
It was the midst of summer when we carefully steered our car upward along the winding road from Abu Road railway station to Mt Abu. The soothing view of the surrounding lush green hills and valleys barely seemed to be part of a land that also houses the Thar Desert.
Mt Abu is a small picturesque hill station perched at a height of twelve hundred meters in the Aravalli Hills of southwestern Rajasthan. With its pleasant weather conditions and rich flora, it serves as a delightful resort, especially in the summer.
The stories about Mt Abu’s origin are laden with myths. Pilgrims believe that it had received the blessings of many gods and goddesses and was the sacred abode of many sages, the most famous being sage Vashishta. Historical evidence traces its fame from the time of Ashoka the Great to the Gupta period. Mt Abu flourished most under the Parmar dynasty after which it became a part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan. During the British rule in India, it was the favoured summer retreat for the British soldiers, and later it was used as the British Headquarters of Rajputana.
A visit to Mt Abu not only invigorates the mind and body but also provides a visual treat for history lovers. A seat of architectural excellence, it flaunts several ancient and beautifully carved temples, the most exquisite ones being the world famous Dilwara Temples. These eleventh and twelfth century Jain Temples are situated at Dilwara village about two and a half kilometers from the city post office. The surrounding hills and innumerable tall trees almost shield the view of the temples till one actually reaches the entrance.
There are five temples within the Dilwara Temple complex: the Vimal Vaseeh, the Loon Vaseeh, the Shri Rishab Deoji Temple, the Chaumukhaji Temple and the Mahavir Swami Temple. Among these, the first two temples are widely acclaimed for their ornamental marble carvings.
The Vimal Vaseeh is the oldest temple. It is dedicated to Lord Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara. A black and supposedly self-made statue of him is enshrined within the temple. It was built in 1031 A.D by Vimal Shah, the chief minister to Gujarat’s ruler, Bhim Singh. It is believed that a sum of Rs 18 crores and 53 lacs was spent to erect the temple with 1500 sculptors and 1200 labourers working continuously for 14 years. The spectacular carvings inspire awe and reverence for the sculptors who surely gave nothing short of their best to create the masterpiece.
An unforgettable experience for me, and I’m certain for every visitor to the temple, is the sudden reaction of astonishment when one first encounters the world of exquisite art inside, as the humble exteriors of the temple give no hint of its magnificent marble interiors. It has a prayer hall adorned with 48 ornately carved pillars and 52 small shrines, each with a statue of a Jain Tirthankara. A view of the intricately carved ceiling, dome and the richly carved pendant of lotuses that seems to drop from the dome makes one wonder about the strenuous postures adopted by the sculptors while creating the artwork. The carvings of human and animal forms, floral designs and various mythological scenes are so perfect that they seem to come to life as one admires them.
The entrance to the temple has a beautifully carved Hastishala or elephant abode which has ten marble elephants carved to perfection and a statue of Vimal Shah.
The other important temple is the Loon Vaseeh. It was built in 1231 AD by the two brothers Vastupal and Tejpal, both ministers to the king of Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to Lord Neminath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara. With impeccably carved pillars, door casings, friezes, architraves and sculptures, this temple is a perfect specimen of skill and craftsmanship.
The other three temples, though worth visiting, are not artistic masterpieces like the first two.
About a kilometer to the north of the Dilwara Temple is Trevor’s Tank, built in 1894 - 95 in memory of Governor General Colonel Trevor. Originally built to supply water to Mt Abu, it serves as a popular picnic spot because of its scenic charm and there is also a game sanctuary for animals and crocodiles.
Mt Abu also has the picturesque Nakki Lake set amidst its hills. It is believed to have been dug out by the nails of the Gods, hence its name. Boating on its waters amidst the lush green hills is nothing short of a heavenly experience. Several natural rock formations like the Toad Rock and Nun Rock overlooking the lake add to the charm of the place.
The Brahmakumaris Ashram is a relatively recent construction and is a serene, peaceful site. The Om Shanti Bhawan and its art gallery, spiritual museum and meditation hall provides for a rejuvenating experience for the spiritually inclined.
Gurushikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli range, is at a height of 5653 ft above sea level. A concrete road has been constructed to reach this point, which offers a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located here. Other famous and ancient Hindu temples in Mt Abu are the Gaumukh Temple, the Arbuda Devi Temple, the Adhar Devi Temple and the Achleshwar Temple.
Honeymoon Point and Sunset Point are also popular attractions in Mt Abu. The latter is reached via a path with steps leading up to a point, which offers spectacular views of the sun setting amidst the mountains. An interesting sight at Sunset Point is the tribal folk who inhabit the forests of Mt Abu. Dressed in traditional clothes and versed only in their own dialect, they make a meagre income by selling local fruits and berries to the tourists watching the sunset.
Mt Abu generates large revenues from tourism as evident from its hotels that have mushroomed all over, its innumerable restaurants, which offer a variety of cuisines, and its endless shops, which sell clothes, toys, household goods and almost everything.
As mementoes from Mt Abu, one can opt for handicrafts made from leather or the local brass wind chimes and small artifacts.
A combination of both scenic beauty and historical heritage, Mt Abu makes a perfect holiday destination.
General Information
Weather:
Summer-23ºC to 33ºC
Winter-0ºC to 20ºC
Best months to visit- Feb to June and Sept to Dec
Reaching Mt Abu:
Nearest Airport-Udaipur
Nearest Railway Station-Abu road which is about 22 kms from Mt Abu
Bus services are available from Mt Abu to Abu Road and major towns/cities nearby
Accommodation – available to suit all budgets.
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