Vacation Rajasthan

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Mount Abu, located in the southwestern corner of Rajasthan, sees people from everywhere escaping to this cool, scenic hill station. It is also a major pilgrim center. The Aravalli mountain range that cuts across Rajasthan reaches its greatest height at Guru Shikhar. Interestingly, not many people are aware that this is also the highest point between the Nilgiris in the south and the Himalayan range up North.
The origin of Mount Abu goes back several centuries. The Padam Puran relates the story of how this holy city came into existence. Once Nandini, the cow belonging to the venerable sage Vashishta, was trapped in a deep chasm and could not free herself. When all efforts failed, the sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. Saraswati, the divine stream, flooded the pit and the cow floated up. Once this cow was free, Vashishtha approached the great Himalaya and asked him to fill the gorge permanently to avoid further mishaps. The youngest son of Himalaya, with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake filled the chasm. The place came to be called Mount Arbud and was later reduced to its present name.
For those keen to learn more about the history of Rajasthan it will be interesting to note that this place was also the site for one of the most sacred Hindu rites-a yagya. This was performed by the same sage Vashishtha for the purification of the ancient fighting caste, the Kshatriyas. From this mystical fire rose the mighty Rajputs who later dominated the history of Rajasthan.


SIGHTSEEING
Due to the presence of sages and seers here, this place became a holy retreat. But for most visitors today, Mount Abu is a hill station with verdant green getaways to make a tourist's trip delightful. The Nakki lake, 1200 meters above sea level, is picturesquely set amidst hills and is believed to have been carved out by the gods with their nails.
It is a popular spot for boating. Be prepared to go for longs walks and treks as you visit the spectacular Sunset Point, Toad’s Rock, and the beautifully sculpted hill temple of Gaumukh and Arbuda.
Mount Abu was also an important Hindu Vaishnava and Shaivite pilgrim center up to the 11th century. Today, it is recognized the world over for its magnificent Jain temples. No visit to Mount Abu can be complete without a trip to the famed Delwara temples. Let your mind be dazzled by the exquisite carvings on stone. When you look at these temples you find yourself at a loss for words to describe this sheer poetry in stone, its elegance in marble, as no description can really do justice to this beauty. These are better seen than described.


More such marvelous carvings can be found in the 15th century temple complex of Ranakpur. This is once of the five holy places of the Jain community. The most important temple is dedicated to Rishabhji and sprawls on some 48,000 sq. ft. and has 29 halls and 1444 pillars, all distinctively carved. Feel free to explore its various mandaps and study the intricate carvings, your guide will point out the fact that no two pillars are alike-the carved design is different on each one.
It makes you admire the skills of the stone carvers of so many hundred years ago. The musical chimes of temple bells, the gentle breeze flowing through the carved corridors, in fact, the serenity of the surroundings tempts you to spend more relaxed moments here than you may have planned.
Lush green hills with a wealth of flora and fauna, peaceful surroundings and very little traffic make the drive to Ranakpur a very pleasant one. It is a typical small town of Rajasthan where the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities is absent. Take time to drink in the countryside, explore the forts and the temples and observe the simple lifestyle of the rustic and friendly rural folk.

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