—Rajesh Kumar Bhagtani
Mount Abu is a town in Sirohi district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a hill station situated in the Aravalli Hills, which is situated on a 22 km long and 9 km wide rocky plateau. Its highest peak is 1,722 m. (5,650 ft) high is Guru Shikhar. Mount Abu is also known as Shimla of Rajasthan.
Mount Abu, situated at an altitude of 1220 meters above sea level, is the only hill town of Rajasthan. The ancient name of this city was Arbudanchal, at this place Lord Shiva had appeared to the Bhil couple Ahuk and Ahuja. It is the highest peak of the Aravalli Mountains, the main pilgrimage center of the Jains and the summer shelter of the state. Located as a single mass of granite rocks at the extreme south-west end of the Aravalli ranges, Mount Abu is separated from the other ranges by a narrow valley of about 10 km west of the Banas River. Historical monuments, religious shrines and Kala Bhavans located on the top and side of the mountain have permanent funds of sculpture-picture-architectural arts. There is a footprint in the cave here, which people believe to be the footprint of Bhrigu. There are two huge Jain temples of marble in the middle of the mountain.
Located in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, situated on the highest peak of the Aravalli hills, has a different geographical location and atmosphere than other cities of Rajasthan. This place is not as hot as other parts of the state. Mount Abu is the main pilgrimage center of Hinduism and Jainism. The historical temple and natural beauty here attracts tourists. During 1190 AD, the rule of Abu was in the hands of King Jetsi Parmar Bhil. Later, Abu became the area of rule of Bhim Dev II. Mount Abu became a part of Chauhan Empire. Later the Maharaja of Sirohi leased Mount Abu to the British for the Rajputana headquarters. During the British rule, Mount Abu was the favorite destination of the British to escape the heat of the plains.
Mount Abu has been the abode of saints since ancient times. According to mythology, thirty three crore gods and goddesses of Hinduism visit this holy mountain. It is said that the great sage Vashistha had organized a yajna here for the destruction of the demons from the earth. Lord Mahavir, the twenty-fourth Tirthankar of Jainism also came here. Since then Mount Abu has remained a sacred and revered pilgrimage center for Jain followers. According to a legend, the name Abu was named after Arbuada, the son of Himalaya. Arbuada was a mighty serpent who saved the life of Nandi the bull, the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva, in a deep ditch.
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