Mount Abu

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}}Template:Main other Mount Abu ({{#if:Mount_Abu.ogg|{{#ifexist:Media:Mount_Abu.ogg|<phonos file="Mount_Abu.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>|{{errorTemplate:Main other|Audio file "Mount_Abu.ogg" not found}}Template:Category handler}}}}), known as Arbudgiri in Jain tradition, is a hill station in the Aravalli Range in the Sirohi district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. Here, the mountain forms a rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. It is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert' as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. It is also home to numerous Jain and Hindu temples.

HistoryEdit

The ancient name of Mount Abu is Arbuda.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the Puranas, the region has been referred to as Arbudaranya ("forest of Arbuda") and 'Abu' is a diminutive of this ancient name. It is believed that sage Vashistha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu following his differences with sage Vishvamitra. There is another history story according to which a serpent named "Arbuda" saved the life of Nandi (Lord Shiva's bull). The incident happened on the mountain that is currently known as Mount Abu and so the mountain is named "Arbudaranya" after that incident which gradually became Abu.

According to a legend, the sage Vashistha performed a yajna at the peak of Mount Abu, to seek from the gods a provision for the defense of righteousness on earth. In answer to his prayer, a youth arose from the Agnikunda (fire-altar) — the first Agnivansha.<ref name="Barua24">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Achalgarh Fort is one of more attractive place which was built by Parmar kings.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Dilwara Jain Temple is a pilgrimage centre for the Jain religion among the lush green hills of Aravali. The Dilwara Jain Temple is located at a distance of 2.5 km from Mount Abu. Vastupala designed the temple. Vimal Shah built it between the 11th century and the 13th century. The complex is sculpted on white marble in every corner of the temple.

The conquest of Mount Abu in 1311 CE by Rao Lumba of the Deora-Chauhan dynasty.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He shifted the capital city to Chandravati in the plains. After the destruction of Chandravati in 1405, Rao Shasmal made Sirohi his headquarters. Later it was leased by the British government from the Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarters.Template:Citation needed Template:Clarify

The Arbuda Mountains region is said to be original abode of the famous gurus like Atri and Vashishtha. The association of the Gurus with the mountain is noticed in many inscriptions and epigraphs including Tilakamanjari of Dhanpala.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> According to one theory, this Gurdhara or land of the gurus got corrupted with time and became Gurjara.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Qn

A municipality was established at Abu in 1864; it had six members nominated by the Agent to the Governor General (AGG).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

TourismEdit

File:Delwada.jpg

Adishwara temple, Dilwara Temples

File:Sunset at Mount Abu.jpg

Sunset at Mount Abu

File:Shooting Point, Mount Abu.jpg

View from shooting Point, Mount Abu

Mount Abu town, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is at an elevation of Template:Convert. It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighboring Gujarat for centuries.

The mountain is home to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi Temple (also known as Arbuda Devi Temple), carved out of the solid rock; the Shri Raghunathji Temple; and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak; and the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple (1412).

The Achalgarh Fort, built in the 14th century by Kumbha of Mewar, is nearby and at its center is the popular visitor attraction of the Nakki Lake. The Toad Rock is on a hill near the lake. Close to the fort is the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple, a popular Shiva temple. Also, Achal Fort Jain Temple, Shantinath Jain Temple (1513) is equally famous.

The Durga Ambika Mata Temple lies in a cleft of rock in Jagat, just outside Mount Abu town.

The mountain is also the home to a number of Jain temples including Dilwara Temples, a complex of temples carved out of white marble. The Dilwara Temples or Delvada Temples are located about 2½ kilometers from the Mount Abu town. These Jain temples were built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastupala, Jain ministers of Dholka,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> between the 11th and 16th centuries and are famous for their use of white marble and intricate marble carvings.Template:Sfn They are a pilgrimage place of the Jains, and a popular general tourist attraction. The temples have an opulent entranceway, the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality.Template:Sfn Minutely-carved ornamental detail covers the ceilings, doorways, pillars, and panels.Template:Sfn The temple complex is in the midst of a range of forested hills. There are five temples in all, each with its own unique identity.Template:Sfn All five temples are enclosed within a single high walled compound. The group is named after the small village of Dilwara or Delvara in which they are located. The five temples are:

Vimal Vasahi, dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Shri Rishabhadev.
Luna Vasahi, dedicated to the 22nd Jain Tirthankara, Shri Neminatha.
Pittalhar, dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Shri Rishabhadev.
Parshvanath, dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Shri Parshvanatha.
Mahavir Swami, dedicated to the last Jain Tirthankara, Shri Mahaviraswami.

Among all the five legendary marble temples of Dilwara, the most famous of those are the Vimal Vasahi and the Luna Vasahi temples.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn

In Mount Abu, the faith community of Brahma Kumaris has its spiritual headquarters, which are represented by its own account in 110 countries.<ref name="Brahma Kumaris">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Every year about 2.5 million visitors are supposed to visit the sprawling campus of that spiritual movement.<ref name="Brahma Kumaris" /> The Brahma Kumaris ashram has a museum that displays the knowledge that Lord Shiva gave to the Prajapita Brahma. The 50-acre land also provides ample space for meditation and spiritual learning as well as to connect yourself to the stunning, undisturbed natural surroundings.

The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1960 and covers 290 km² of the mountain. The sanctuary encircles the town, and sloth bears from the sanctuary have habitually been seen inside the city throughout the year foraging on hotel waste in open rubbish bins.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In literatureEdit

Arbuda Mountains is a mountain range described in the epic Mahabharata. It is identified to be Mount Abu. This mountain is mentioned in the travels of Arjuna during his twelve-year pilgrimage.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poem Hindoo Temples on the Mountain-Lake of Aboo, published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839, is a reflection on this mountain fastness.<ref> Template:Cite book Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Sister project

ClimateEdit

Mount Abu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa). Due to its altitude, Mount Abu gets more rain than any other part of Rajasthan, with over Template:Convert per month falling in July and August. While it still has hot summers, the summers aren't as extreme due to the altitude, and the monsoon actually sees relatively comfortable temperatures (Template:Convert).The average annual precipitation of Mount Abu is Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Winters are pleasant in Mount Abu, with the mercury hovering around Template:Convert. Mornings are chilly, and the average minimum temperature is around Template:Convert. The temperature has dipped to as low as Template:Convert.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes/> Heavy winter clothing is preferable. In the daytime, light pullovers are sufficient.

Template:Weather box

CultureEdit

Winter Festival at Mount Abu

DemographicsEdit

According to the 2011 Census of India, Mount Abu has a population of 22,943, out of which 54.7% are males and 45.3% are females. It has an average literacy rate of 81.15%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 90.12%, and female literacy is 70.23%. In Mount Abu, 12.34% of the population is under 6 years of age.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Of the people, 89.31% are Hindu, 7.69% are Muslim, and 1.45% are Christian.<ref name=":0" />

GalleryEdit

Dilwara Prashvantha Temple.jpg

Parshvanatha Temple at Dilwara group of temples
Jain temple Mt.Abu.jpg

Marble sculpture of Dilwara Temples
Kalpavruksha page.jpg

Kalpavriksha or Kalpavruksha page in Dilwada Jain Temple
Nakki Lake.jpg

Nakki Lake after sunset
Brahma Kumari foundation Head Quarter at Mount Abu.jpg

Brahma Kumari foundation headquarters at Mount Abu
Nakki Lake from Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary.JPG

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary covers 290 km² of mountains, forests and lake.
Turtle Shape Rock.jpg

Turtle-shaped rock near Nakki Lake.
Toad rock (Mount Abu).jpg

Toad rock on a hill near Nakki Lake.
Monkeys near Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India.jpg

Monkeys near Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
Mount Abu in Monsoon.jpg

Mount Abu in Monsoon
Jaipur House at Mount Abu, Rajasthan.jpg

Former royal residence of the royal family of Jaipur. Now, a five-star hotel.