It was in the peak of summer of 2005 when I visited Mount abu.Though i would not suggesst you to take that risk in summers but i had entirely different reasons to pay a visit to Mount Abu.My father is an army officer and had got posted to pune from Hissar(Harayana).We decided to cover the distance by our car taking halts at Jaipur,Udaipur,Ahemdabad & Baroda.After the halt at Jaipur,me and my family set off early morning for Udaipur.Luckily our route fell near to Mt. Abu.The town of Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is located at an elevation of 1220 meters. It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat for centuries. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1960 and covers 290 km² of the mountain..It was 11am and we were already drenched in sweats.Finally we started on the whirlwinded road up ahead to mount Abu.As we got nearer i could see many groups of apes and their little ones swinging all around the trees and roads which is one the common but entertaining sights in India.Slowly the hot wind turned to lukewarn and then cool breeze as we reached there.


As I entered the the inhabitated area of the place a natural feeling came to me telling me that there's a lot of water near which I hadnt seen for a long time travelling the desert and it was the big and beautiful Nakki lake.It seemed like famous Naini lake of Nainital to me.As I unwinded there the feeling of tiredness and lethargy just disappeared.



Later i found a hillend from where i could see the road i have been travelling for udaipur.From there as far as i could see till horizons i couldnt see any water body.It seemed so hot and dry and lifeless,just contrast of what i was feeling right then.It feels like a sight of hell from heaven.Then i visited what i was here for"The famous Dilwara temples"Now i would like to give you some gyan on these temples.






The Jain Dilwara temples of India are located about 2½ kilometers from Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station. These temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place of the Jains. Some consider them to be one of the most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites in the world. The marble temples have an opulent entranceway. The simplicity in architecture may remind one that Jainism has always encouraged honesty and frugality. The temples are in the midst of a range of forested hills. A high wall shrouds the temple complex.




Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan, some believe that none come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spreading over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvellous.As i watch the beautiful carvings i was so amazed to see the exotic combination of sophistication and imagination in those beautiful images of marble and noticeably they were all different from each other.Here's a view.










The mountain is also home to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi Temple, carved out of solid rock; the Shri Raghunathji Temple; and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak. The world headquarters of the Brahma Kumari order of lady renunciates is also located here, as is the World Spiritual University of the same denomination. There is also believed to be a footprint of Vishnu on top of Mount Abu. The Durga temple, Ambika Mata Temple lies in a cleft of rock in Jagat, just outside of Mount Abu.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.

In historic times, Mount Abu was leased by the The East-India Company (British empire) from the Maharajah of Sirohi, Mount Abu was used as the headquarters for the resident of Rajputana until 1947, and as a sanatorium for troops.I was short of time,but whatever time i could get to spend there was definately unforgettable.It was a cool breeze in hot summer.And finally we caught up with the road to Udaipur with beautiful memories and a sense of pride to be born in a country with such rich architectural and cultural heritage and history.
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