Excursions of Mount Abu
Guru Shikhar ( 15 kms.)
Known
as the saint's pinnacle, it is the highest peak of the aravalis at 1772 meters
above sea level, it affords a panoramic view of the adjoining areas and a small
Shaivite Shrine, the temple of Dattatreya, a saint whose footprints are carved
inside are situated here. Similar foot prints of Ramananda, the great Vaishnavite
preacher can be seen a litter further, and a little down below, at the base
of the rock, is a great bell suspended by a wooden frame having a Gujarati inscription
dating back to 1411 AD.
Achalgarh (10 Kms.)
This majestic fort built by Rana Kumbha of Mewar in the 14th century, houses
some magnificent temples the important ones are, the temple of Achaleswar Mahadev
(1412 AD) and the Kantinath Jain Temple (1513 AD), it was a gold plated image.
The Mandakini Kund near the Achaleswar Temple and the Sculpture of Parmar Dharavarsh
are of special interest. Other temples are of Meena & Chamundi.
Trevor`s Tank ( 3 km)
Trevor`s tank named after the British engineer, is a heaven for the bird watchers,
situated amidst the densely wooded hills of the Aravali Ranges. A rich variety
of Beautiful birds can be observed. The most important are being the pheasants,
peacocks and partridges.
Achalgarh ( 8 km)
Medieval monument of Mt Abu, is the Achalgadh fort commissioned by Rana Kumbha,
who was responsible for dozens of gigantic fortresses in southern Rajasthan,
with massive battlemented walls and a situation on a mountain peak offering
great views. A steeply winding path leads up to the 15th century fortress and
the temples within the fortified walls, great for a view of the countryside.The
carved Jain temples are a 10 minute climb, worthwhile for the view and the sculpture.
Below the path is the Achleshwar temple, with a Nandi said to be made of the
five metals-gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc, called Panchadattu, and weigh
more than 4 tons. The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century
around a toe print of lord Shiva, with a hole claimed to reach the netherworld,
a natural Shivalinga and idols of a crystal like stone, which looks opaque,
but when a candle is placed behind it sparkles like crystal. Nearby is the pleasant
looking Mandakini lake, enclosed by rocky hills, with images of a Rajput king
and buffaloes. According to legend, the tank was filled with ghee and the watering
hole of demons disguised as buffaloes until they were shot by Raja Adi Pal.
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