Sunday, December 24, 2006

HILL STATION OF RAJASTHAN


Rajasthan is famous all over the world for its widely spread deserts. But the pleasant weather of hilly region could also be experienced here at Mt.Abu. Mt.Abu, which is a hilly plateau in the Aravallis, is the only hill station of Rajasthan. Here one can enjoy the mind-blowing weather along with the richness of greenery of the place. At the time of British rule in this hill station was used as a sanatorium for troops. Besides this it was also a favorite summer resort for the rulers of Rajasthan and Gujrat. This adornment could be easily seen through the beautiful palaces that were built by these rulers here.
Now this place is considered as a place of pilgrimage for Jains as many of pious temples of Jains are situated here. The Dilwara temple is one of them. It is not only famous for its piousness but also for its outstanding architectural work and enormous beauty. This temple was built around a thousand years ago but still attracts the attention of a person due to its minute craftwork. The five magnificent Dilwara Jain Marble temples at Mt.Abu are unique in the history of marble carving. These temples are intricately sculptured and richly ornamented. According to Ferguson, the most striking feature in the Tejpala temple is the pendent of the dome that is hanging from the center. In the words of Ferguson “It hangs from the center more like a luster of crystal drops than a solid mass of marble.” It is famous in the region that the carvers of the temple were rewarded with silver that was equal to the weight of the marble filings. The outer structure of the temple has been given a simple look so as to save it from being attacked by the invaders. Besides this marble statue of a Jain tirthankara at Dilwara temple gives it a unique look.
Another popular attraction of the place is the ‘Nakki Lake’. It is an artificial lake that is studded with small islands. The regional story behind the formation of the lake is famous here. It is said that the lake was formed when the Gods scratched at the mountain with their fingernail (Nakh). Thus it was given the name ‘Nakki Lake’. The other special feature is the ‘Toad Rock’. It is overhung on the lake and looks like a gigantic toad that is about to spring into the water. Now a days the ‘Nakki Lake is famous as a pleasant spot for boat rides. The lake is surrounded by a number of small temples. The walk around this lake, listening to the temple bells ringing gives a spiritual as well as mental satisfaction. Various shops are also situated around the lake where things of requirement could be found.
The place is famous for the religious sect’s headquarter called ‘Brahma Kumaris’. Along with this the ‘Rock Garden’ is also well known. This garden besides its natural beauty also have a separate section where the demonstration of the teachings of this sect is given. Thus one could gain a lot of spiritual knowledge here in addition to the enjoyment of the nature. This sect was started with the aim of establishing world peace by ‘imparting spiritual knowledge and training in Raj Yoga meditation’. The sect is spreaded all around the world in about 82 countries and has more than 7,000 branches. Followers of the sect from various parts come to Mt.Abu to attend the courses at its spiritual university.
Mt.Abu is famous for its natural beauty also. It is famous for its variety of flowering trees and birds. Large amount of mushrooms are also found her at the time of monsoon. Thus one could be fully enjoyed both mentally and spiritually at the marvelous trip of Mt.Abu.

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