Trip to Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Mt Abu-22nd Oct-27th Oct Day 5
Day 5-Mt Abu
On the 5th day we visited the
Brahmakumari campus. At the base of Mount Abu, just before Abu Road begins
its climb up Mount Abu, lies a big complex, the third Brahma Kumaris campus, Shantivan. This sprawling collection of
buildings was built in response to University's ever–growing world–transforming
activities in the area of spiritual education and training.I had not heard of
Brahmakumari till the others in the group updated me. There is a big hall where
lectures, seminars, workshops on peace are conducted. Someone who is really
into spirituality might be interested to sit and listen. We sat for some 10
minutes and came out as we had other places to visit as well.
Next on the list was
the famous Dilwara temple. Dilwara
Jain Temples is one of the finest Jain temple known world over for its
extraordinary architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings, some experts
also consider it architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal. It showcases the
extraordinary work of human craftsmanship at its best. These temples were built
between 11th to 13th century AD.The carvings on the celings and pillars are
amazing. Dilwara temples is also a popular Jain pilgrimage attraction. Dilwara
Temple complex consist of five major sections or temples devoted to five jain
trithankaras(saints):
1.
Shri Mahaveer Swami
Temple
2.
Shri AdiNath Temple
or Vimal Vasahi Temple
3.
Shri ParshavNath
Temple or Khartar Vasahi Temple
4.
Shri Rishabdaoji
Temple or Peethalhar Temple
5. Shri NemiNathJi
Temple or Luna Vasahi Temple -
One is not allowed to take cameras and mobiles inside hence
could not take any snaps. But I just loved the calm, peaceful, serene
atmosphere in the temple.
After Dilwara, we went on our way towards Guru Shikhar.
Guru
Shikhar, a peak at an altitude of 5,676 feet is the highest point in Rajasthan.
It is located at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu. One can get a panoramic
view of the surroundings. This peak is the home to the temple of Dattatreya, an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the peak is called Guru Shikhar after him as
Guru Dattatreya had dignified this place and his footprints are sanctified here
in a rock in a cave. Foot prints of swami Ramanath are also here who enshrined
the statue in Raghnathji temple in Abu. The steps are kind of steep to climb. There
are arrangements of palkis for those who find it difficult to climb.It took us
some 1 hour to climb and come down and we also had to make an alternate
arrangements for another vehicle to take us there as our driver was not ready
to take his nw vehicle on top. Mentally we made a note of the amount that neess
to be deducted from the total payment due for transport. On the way we stopped
in between as the driver showed us the spot where the famous movie “ Qayamat Se
Qayamat Tak” was shot.We clicked a few pictures there too.
Near to Guru Shikhar is Achalgarh, situated eleven kilometers north of Mount Abu has a
beautiful Shiva temple showcasing many striking features. Achalgarh
Shiva Temple at Achalgarh near Mt. Abu in
Rajasthan is a very famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place is also
renowned for some other colorful Jain temples offering splendid views. Achalgarh
Shiva Temple in Mount Abu boasts a number of appealing features ,including what
is said to be a toe of Shiva, as well as a brass Nandi (Shiva's vehicle, a
bull) and, where the Siva Lingum would normally be, there is a deep hole that
is said to extend all the way down to the underworld. Just outside the Mount
Abu Achalgarh Shiva temple adjoining the car park three stone buffaloes stand
around a tank, while the shape of a King shoots at them with his bows and
arrows. According to the mythological belief, the tank was once filled with
ghee, but demons, in the form of buffalos came down and polluted the ghee until
the king shot them.
One The way , there is another Brahmakumari
maintained place called
Peace Park .The park is huge and lovely . We
need to keep walking from one park
to
another park till it leads us to the exit. THE Park is nestled between two
famous peaks of the Aravali hills–the well known spiritual pilgrimage
destinations of Guru Shikhar and Achal Garh.
It was already evening and hence we had to cancel our climb
to Arbuda Devi temple which has some 365 steps to the cave temple .As it was
4:30 already we decided to go to the Sunset
Point famous for the sunset view. Lying
south west of Nakki Lake, Sunset point is one of the most popular tourist point
in Mount Abu. This viewpoint gets crowded by tourists at the time of sunset. One
can go pony riding to the top, or sit on a wheel trolley type or walk up to the
top. One can enjoy the orange-coloured sun setting behind the Aravali Ranges. After
enjoying a nice sunset view. One can shop for souvenirs from the shops near the
point like trinkets, wooden toys, marble statues, sandalwood idols and customised
keychains and name plates etc. I picked up a few stuff from there. It was
already late and we came back to our guesthouse that we had booked for the
second day.
