In the olden days Mount Abu was the home of various
saints and sages. According to legends, all the gods and goddesses
of the Hindu Mythology used to visit this holy mountain. It is
also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed
a yagna for the purification of the ancient fighting caste, the
Kshatriyas. From this mystical fire rose the mighty Rajputs who
later dominated the history of Rajasthan.
The Dilwara Jain temples for instance, have been
compared to the Taj Mahal for their sheer elegance and beauty
in marble. Built between the 11th and 13th century, these temples
are all the more exceptional because the marble to build these
was brought all the way from Makrana and the best workmen and
craftsmen employed to ensure the finest quality of sculpture.
Intricate carvings decorate each portion of these temples, which
are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. Millions of rupees were
spent on the carvings, architecture and décor of the temples
and the workmen were rewarded in silver and gold equivalent to
the amount of marble brought in.
How to reach
190 Kms west of Udaipur, 215 Kms from Ahmedabad
Where to Stay