Rajasthan rolling - 2 (Mt.Abu)

We followed the rain for 245 km from Ahmedabad to Mount Abu.

We left Ahmedabad at 07:00 and made our way to Mount Abu on good roads. Along the way we saw pilgrims walking and cycling in groups, some holding flags.

They travel to the temple of Ambaji, 45 km from Mount Abu, for the Jatra, which is held every year on the full moon day.

Villagers provided food and lodging for the pilgrims along the way.

On the way up we passed through the clouds near the summit.

The Puranas call this region Arbodarania ("Arbhu Forest"), and "Abu" is derived from this ancient name. Legend has it that a snake named 'Arbuda' saved the life of Nandi, Lord Shiva's bull, hence the mountain was named 'Arbodarania' after this incident.

Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is situated at an altitude of 1220 meters above sea level. It has been a popular retreat for the people of Rajasthan and neighboring Gujarat for centuries. There are many Jain temples on Mount Abu.

The Dilwara Temples are a group of temples carved in white marble built in AD. between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries.

The mountain is also home to several Hindu temples, including the Ahar Devi Temple, which is carved out of solid rock. Sri Raghunatha Temple and Dattatreya Temple and Temple built on top of Guru Shekhar Peak.

We checked into Hotel Udaigarh and had Punjabi food for dinner and went to the famous Dilwara temples which were about 5 km from the hotel. These temples, built by the Chalukyas in a.d. 11th-13th centuries, are known for their excellent use of marble. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are sacred pilgrimage sites for Jains. Entry time for visitors to the temple is 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, no cell phones or cameras are allowed. This rule was implemented after the government came to power, which now has a great influence over the affairs of the temple along with religion.

Then we drove to Lake Naki, which the gods supposedly dug out with their claws. Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were buried in this lake on February 12, 1948 and Ghat Gandhi was built.

Visarja was the ganapati day and most of the ganapatis were brought from Abuberg

Practice lots of songs and dances.

It rained again so we went back to the hotel and spent a quiet evening listening to the news that it was raining heavily in Udaipur where we are going tomorrow.

Rajasthan Rolling -1

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