Mount
Abu - Ranakpur
Mount Abu : Mount Abu
is the only hill station in the desert land of Rajasthan.
This pilgrimage is located in the south-western corner of
Rajasthan. Although a part of the Aravalli range, it is detached
completely from it by a narrow valley and the highest point,
Guru Shikhar, is situated at its northern end. Interestingly,
this is the highest point between the Nilgris in the south
and the Himalayan range up north. Mount Abu, owing to its
good rainfall, has the richest vegetation is Rajasthan, a
wide variety of trees and shrubs can be viewed as one drives
up to Mount Abu. The flowering trees, notably flame of the
forest, and shrubs make the area seem like a gigantic garden.
Till about the 11th century, Mount Abu was an important Vaishnav
and Shiva pilgrim centre but is today recognised more as Jain
pilgrim centre. More than the weather, vegetation and mythological
importance, it is these jain temples that draw lakhs of visitors
to Mount Abu. The Dilwara temples are the best jain temples
in the country. No description can do justice to the beauty
of these temples. The intricate carving, the sheer beauty
of these temples are nothing you may have seen before.
Gaumukh temple, Achalgarh fort Toad' Rock, Sunset Point, Trevor’s
Tank are some of the interesting areas to be visited. One
can take a nice, long walk through this area. Nakki lake is
a favourite spot for boating. The best season to visit Mount
Abu is during March-June and September-November.
Ranakpur : In the 15th
century, Rana Kumbha of Mewar gave a large stretch of land
in a quiet and picturesque valley, deep in the Aravallis,
to the jains. This area came to be known as Ranakpur. Located
96 km from Udaipur, this is one of the five main holy places
of the jains. Although over 500 years old, these temples are
well preserved almost in perfect condition. The central temple
is the Chaumaukha temple dedicated to Adinath, the first jain
tirthankar (saint) , this three storied temple is the most
complex and extensive in design. It has 29 halls, 80 domes
and 1,444 pillars. What is interesting here is the fact that
no two pillars are alike. Each of these pillars is covered
with the most intricate carvings. The grace with which these
pillars are arranged, the tasteful admixture of domes of different
heights with flat ceilings, and the mode in which light is
introduced, combine to produce an excellent effect. If not
for anything else, Ranakpur has made a mark with its architecture
in the history of Rajasthan.
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