Mount Abu

Mount Abu
Abu Parvat
Hill station
Mount Abu
Mount Abu
Coordinates: 24°35′33″N 72°42′30″E / 24.5925°N 72.7083°E / 24.5925; 72.7083Coordinates: 24°35′33″N 72°42′30″E / 24.5925°N 72.7083°E / 24.5925; 72.7083
Country India
State Rajasthan
District Sirohi
Government
 • Type Tourist
Elevation 1,220 m (4,000 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 22,943
 • Density 50/km2 (100/sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 307501
Telephone code +02974
ISO 3166 code RJ-IN
Vehicle registration RJ 38
Website www.mountabu.net.in

Mount Abu ( pronunciation ) is a popular hill station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in western India, near the border with Gujarat. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 m (5,650 ft) above sea level. It is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert' as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. The nearest train station is Abu Road railway station: 28 km away.[2]

History

The ancient name of Mount Abu is Arbudaanchal. In the Puranas, the region has been referred to as Arbudaranya ("forest of Arbhuda") 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 mythology 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.

The conquest of Mount Abu in 1311 CE by Rao Lumba of Deora-Chauhan dynasty brought to an end the reign of the Parmars and marked the decline of Mount Abu. 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 then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarters.

Mount Abu and Rajputs

According to a legend, sage Vashistha performed a great 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 Rajput.[3][4].Achagarh Fort is onw of more attracting place which was built by Parmar Rajput kings.[5].dilwara temple built by mahipala Soalanki (Chalukyu).[6]

Tourism

Adishwara temple, Dilwara Temples
Sunset at Mount Abu

Mount Abu town, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is at an elevation of 1,220 m (4,003 ft). It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat for centuries. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1960 and covers 290 km² of the mountain.

The mountain is home to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi Temple (also known as Arbuda Devi Temple), carved out of solid rock; the Shri Raghunathji Temple; and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak and a number of Jain temples including Dilwara Temples, a complex of temples carved of white marble built between the 11th and 13th centuries CE. The oldest of these is the Vimal Vasahi temple, built in 1021 CE by Vimal Shah and dedicated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. They include the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple (1412) and the Kantinath Temple (1513). It is the location of the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris.

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.

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

In Mount Abu, the faith community of Brahma Kumaris has its spiritual headquarters, which are represented by its own account in 110 countries.[7] Every year about 2.5 million visitors are supposed to visit the sprawling campus of that spiritual movement.[8]

While there are hundreds of hotels for tourists, some Dharamshalas can be found for as low as Rs.700 per night. Raghunath Dharamshala at the bank of Nakki Lake is one of those in a spiritual environment.

In summer thousands of people come here. To reach Mount Abu, the nearest approach by road is from Abu Road which is 27 kms.

The setting sun scene on Mt Abu is famous among tourist; it was depicted in the movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.

Climate

Summer

Summer prevails from mid-April to mid-June, when the average maximum temperature remains around 36 °C. It is suited for light cotton clothes.

Monsoon

Due to its relief and geographical conditions, it rains in Mount Abu during the monsoons. During the rainy season the temperature falls. Normal summer clothing works. It is wise to carry an umbrella to avoid being caught in the rain.

Winter

Winters are cool in Mount Abu, with mercury hovering around 16 °C to 22 °C. Nights are chilly, and the average night temperature is around 4 to 12 °C. The temperature has dipped to as low as −2 to −3 °C. Heavy winter clothing is preferable. In daytime, light pullovers are sufficient.

Climate data for Mount Abu
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 17.3
(63.1)		 20.4
(68.7)		 24.3
(75.7)		 29.4
(84.9)		 31.5
(88.7)		 29.1
(84.4)		 24.5
(76.1)		 22.7
(72.9)		 24.5
(76.1)		 26.7
(80.1)		 23.8
(74.8)		 19.2
(66.6)		 24.45
(76.01)
Average low °C (°F) 4.5
(40.1)		 6.8
(44.2)		 11.1
(52)		 18.7
(65.7)		 21.0
(69.8)		 19.8
(67.6)		 18.7
(65.7)		 17.8
(64)		 17.6
(63.7)		 15.8
(60.4)		 9.3
(48.7)		 5.1
(41.2)		 13.85
(56.93)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 5.3
(0.209)		 4.4
(0.173)		 6.5
(0.256)		 2.6
(0.102)		 16.4
(0.646)		 101.6
(4)		 573.2
(22.567)		 600.3
(23.634)		 214.2
(8.433)		 19.4
(0.764)		 7.9
(0.311)		 2.4
(0.094)		 1,554.2
(61.189)
Source: [9]

Demographics

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.[10]

89.31% of people are Hindus, 7.69% are Muslims while 1.45% are Christians.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Agarwal, Deepesh. "How to reach Mount Abu by Road, Air Or Rail". www.mountabu.com. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
  3. ↑ Barua, Pradeep (2005). The State at War in South Asia. University of Nebraska Press. p. 24. ISBN 9780803213449.
  4. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=K7ZZzk8cXh8C&pg=PA6&dq=rajputs+origin+fire++mount+abu&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_SJnVM2aBcGeugSk44C4Bw&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
  5. ↑ https://books.google.co.in/books/about/The_Rajputs_of_Rajputana.html?id=lF0FvjG3GWEC
  6. ↑ https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Rajput_Er.html?id=jfHDbwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
  7. ↑ "Official Website of the Brahma Kumaris". Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  8. ↑ "Official Website of the Brahma Kumaris, Spiritual Headquarters: Mount Abu". Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  9. ↑ [www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/climateimp.pdf]
  10. 1 2 "Mount Abu City Population Census 2011 - Rajasthan". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
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