STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
RAJASTHAN
Mount Abu
Mount Abu,
a 1200 metre high resort, is also considered a holy mountain. Lying
at the southern extremity, it is the highest point of the Aravalli range
in Rajasthan.
There are several
legends associated with this mount. It is considered the son of the
Himalayas. The name Abu is derived from Arbuda, a serpent which rescued
Nadni Deva, Lord Shiv's sacred mount. This place is mentioned in
the Mahabaratha as "Arbudgiri". Several sages including Vasishta
are said to have done penance here. Sage Vasishta is said to have
performed a yagna here to regenerate the human race. The four Agni
kula Rajputs - The Chauhans, Solankis, Parmars and Pratihars are said to
have been born from the yagna.
Guru
Shikhar, highest point in Rajasthan
There is a natural
spring below Abu, which emerges from under a rock shaped like a cow's head
and hence is known as Gaumukh. Though originally dedicated to Lord
Shiva, later it became a great Jain pilgrimage centre, with several Dilwara
temples, around 1000 years old. Exquisitely carved marble temples
have been built enshrining various thirthankaras.
Adinath
Temple
This is the oldest
of the Jain temples built in 1031 AD. It was built by Vimal Shah,
minister of Bhim Deva, the first Solanki ruler in the village of Dilwara.Constructed
out of fine white marble with intricate caarvings, it is dedicated to Adinath,
the firstJain tirthankaras. Incidents from Jain literature and legends
are intricately carved in the cielings. There are elaborate pillars
in white marble with beautiful carvings of various images.
Neminath
Temple
is dedicated to
the 22nd tirthankara. This temple was built in 1231 AD by Vastupal
& Tejpal (brothers) who were ministers of Raja Virdhavala. There
is fine workmanship to be seen in the pillars, walls and ceilings of this
temple. There is a huge image of the 22nd Jain tirthankara made out
of black basalt. There is a marble pendant in the dome of the porch,
which drops from the ceiling like a cluster of crystal drops, rather than
a solid mass of marble. It is so finely carved that it almost seems
transparent.
Adhar
Devi Temple
It is a temple
carved out of huge rock. It is also called the 'Arbuda Devi Temple". The
Goddess can be worshipped after climbing 200 steps in the rock.
Nakki
Lake
This is the only
place, other than in the Himalayas, that a lake exists 1200 mts above sea
level. The lake is studded with small islands. It is believed
that this lake was dug out by the Gods with their nails (nakh). There
are a number of temples and cave dwellings of ascetics around this lake.
Boating facility is available.
Gaumukh
Temple
A spring spouts
out from beneath a rock, which seems like water flowing from the
mouth of a cow and hence the name Gaumukh. The hill temple of Arbuda
is carved out of a rock and the marble idol of Nandi rescued by Arbuda
(snake) is found here. This is the spot where Vasishta is said to
have regenerated the human race giving rise to the four Rajput clans from
the sacrificial fire
Shri
Raghunathji Temple
was founded by
Shri Ramanand in the 14th century.
Sunset point,
Honeymoon point, gardens and parks such as the Ashok Vatika, Gandhi Park,
Municipal Park, Shaitan Singh Park and Terrace garden are other places
to visit.
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