MOUNT ABU
The Hill Station
Mount Abu situated at a average height of 1,219 Meters, above sea level is the oasis in the deserted land of Rajasthan and posses the honor of being The Only Hill - Station in Rajasthan as well as north-west India, The world famous tourist destination is known for its Delwara Jain Temples and natural beauty world over, situated amidst lush green forested hills on the highest peak in the Aravali range is also the summer capital for the Indian state of Rajasthan, home to lakes, waterfalls and green forests, the hill retreat, has a very cool and soothing climate thanks to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs.
Mount Abu once home to the meditating rishi and munis, the legend has it that Mount Abu is home to 33 crore Gods and Goddess. According to the legend the name Abu means son of Himalayas (or Ar-Booda, "the hill of wisdom"), deriving its name from Arbuada - the powerful serpent, which rescued Nandi the sacred bull of Lord Shiva. Mount Abu has been home, to many rishis and munis (sages and saints), including the famous Rishi Vashishtha, who is believed to have created four Agnikul Rajput clans, from a fire- pit, by performing a yagna or fire sacrifice, to protect the earth from the demons.
The Yagna was performed besides a natural spring situated below Abu, emerging from a rock shaped like a cow's head and hence the site was called Gaumukh.
Its stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain temples, dating back to the 11th-13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre.
NAKKI LAKE
On one hand if it is the largest manmade lake at the height of 11, 00 meters in India then on the other hand it is romantically called the love lake of Mount Abu; at the same time it is the sacred lake for the proud Garacia tribe. People come to the lake on their festival in Shukla Paksha in April to worship and remember their ancestors, and consecrate their nails, (hence one more reason for the name Nakki).
The name Nakki is also derived form the romantic story of the aged sage Rasia Balam and the nubile teenager Kunvanri Kanya. The two lovelorn souls were prevented from tying their love in a nuptial knot, by the scheming parents and their conniving Gods.
They had demanded that the sage could marry the teenager if he could dig up a lake for her with his nails overnight. The sage was just about to accomplish the impossible feat when he was betrayed by all. It is said that the sage was the incarnation of Lord Shiva and the teenager was the embodiment of Ma Parvati. It is predicted that they would return again and then there would be upheaval in the universe. The poem 'Lost Love' depicts the pathos of the two!
DELWARA TEMPLE
World famous Jain temple, situated at Delwara village about 3 Km's from the beautiful city of Mt. Abu. The temples are carved in marble, the design and accuracy of workmanship is unbelievable. The temple dates back to 11th and 12th century A.D. Delwara temples are a composite cluster of 5 temples.
DELWARA TEMPLES CONSTITUTE OF 5 TEMPLES
1. Vimal Vasahi (Shri Adinathji temple)
2. Luna Vasahi (Shri Neminathji temple)
3. Pithalhar (Shri Rishabh Deoji temple)
4. Khartar Vasahi (Shri Parshavnathji temple)
5. Mahaveer Swami (Shri Mahaveer Swamiji temple)
All these shrines belong to different centuries. The first two are build wholly of white marble, they have got exuberant carvings and ornamentation work on the walls, doors, pillars, mandaps, torans, ceilings etc.. The designs depict life stories of Jain Tirthankars, scenes of Gods & Goddesses and great men from Jain and Hindu Mythologies. Their are many works that depict royal courts, marriage processions, dance figures and many other functinons. No design is repeated, this in itself is a proof of human ingenuity and creativity.
ADHAR DEVI (ARBUDA DEVI) TEMPLE
Situated in a cave, The Adhar Devi Temple is one of the popular religious themed tourist destinations in the Mount Abu region. It is situated three kilometers north of the main town of Mount Abu. The Adhar Devi Temple can be reached by climbing up 365 stairs carved into the mountain. The temple itself is located inside a rocky cleave and is reached by crawling through a small opening into the cave. The Adhar Devi Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It got its name because the legend has it that "Adhar" of the Mataji (Goddess deity) fell here, also it was believed that the image of the goddess could be found there hanging in mid air. As well as being a popular tourist destination, the Adhar Devi Temple is also a common destination for many religion pilgrimages.
The Adhar Devi temple receives most pilgrims during the 9 days of the holy Navratri season. The Adhar Devi temple contains many beautiful statues, and those that make the effort to climb the stairs are rewarded with many picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The climb up to the Adhar Devi temple can be a difficult one so it is recommended that you wear appropriate clothing and footwear. You should not be turned off by this walk as the scenic views surrounding the temple and the wondrous beauty inside make this climb worth the effort.
GURU SHIKHAR
Guru Shikhar, a peak at an altitude of 5,676 feet (1722 meters), is the highest point in Rajasthan. It is located at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu. It has a commanding view of Abu and its surroundings. This peak is the home to the temple of Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the peak is called Guru Shikhar after him as Guru Dattatreya had dignified this place and his footprints are sanctified here in a rock in a cave. Foot prints of Swami Ramanath are also here who enshrined the statue in Raghnathji temple in Abu. Close to the shrine is a temple of Guru Dattatreya's mother which is too worth- seeing.
There is also a huge and giant bell suspended from a wooden frame with an inscription dated 1411 in the Dattatrya temple, its toll is heard upto a long distances from here. The cold sweeping breeze in adjunct with the panoramic view of the natural scenery full of charm and dense distant forests fill in the visitors a throbing thrill.
SUN SET POINT
Sunset Point located in South West of Nakki Lake provides you a scenic view of the setting sun. Hundreds of people swarm this area in the evening amidst a carnival atmosphere. The scenic hills, tranquil surrounding, and the pleasant climate makes it a favorite spot of the tourists. The Honeymoon Point located close by is another attraction of Mount Abu.
HONEY MOON POINT (ANADARA POINT)
Honey moon point....The area gets its name from the scores of honeymoon couples that frequent it. Also known as the Andra Point, it offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Take time out to visit Honeymoon Point at sunset when the ambiance is very romantic.
Honey moon point....On the north-west of the Nakki Lake, near by the old gateway to Abu is Anadara point named after the village Anadara. This place is at the height of 4,000 feet.
Here from also the magnificient grandeur of the setting the sun can be witnessed. Near it, is a Lovers - Rock also popularly known as Honey Moon Point, is an attractive point for the visitors for it being in the natural creation in the shape of a man and a women. For the newely - married couples, this is really a place full of very much charm. That's why many visitors do come just to celebrate 'Honey Moon' at Mount Abu. It provides a sereneaura with a pleasant view of the verdant valley and plains. It looks especially beutiful during the sun set hour.
GAUMUKH TEMPLE
The Sage Vashishtha lived here with his wife and the wish fulfilling cow, gifted to him by the Devas, after they obtained it from the churning of the ocean, with eight other jewels! He is credited to have brought Nandi Vardhan Mountain, the youngest son of Himalayas, to Mount Abu. The incredible flying snake, Arbud Naag, who brought the gargantuan mountain from the South on its back, demanded the mountain to be named after him as "Arbudanchal" for the recognition of his services in bringing the great mountain from the South to its present address.
As usual the British could not pronounce the tongue twister hence tarnished the glorious name to Abu. As the bard of Stratford on Avon would have commented, 'what is there in a name', the change of name to Abu could not diminish the grandeur of these mountains. Wonder of wonders is that in these ranges the Pine of Tundra and the Date Palm of desert amicably grow side by side. Being the oldest mountain ranges in the world they are the right candidate to be honored as the cradle of civilization. It is the place where Lord Rama came to have his schooling hence it is no doubt the Alma Mater of Lord Rama. It is the fountain head of the origin of one of the three sisters of Triveni, the Sarsawati, who meets her other two sisters, the Ganga and the Jamuna at Triveni at Allahabad, after travelling sub-terrain for a long distance.
It is authentically mentioned in Van Perva of Mahabharata, where Sage Ved Vyas sways Dharma Raj Udhishtar to spend one night at Vashishtha Ashram, and further enlightens that a night's stay at the Ashram would bless him with the blessing, equivalent to giving one thousand cows in charity.