Shanker-Math Mount Abu

Ecotourism is the focus of the tourism industry in Mount Abu 

Shankar Math Temple

Tourist buses lined up at the side of the road opp the Shankar Math Temple

Ecotourism is the focus of the tourism industry in Mount Abu at present. Its natural hills and dales are the chief attraction for a large section of tourists. Other than that, there are diverse temples situated East, West, North and South of Abu. Shanker Math situated on the Kumarwada road is a recent temple constructed in the honour of Lord Shiva. a recent addition to the tourist circuit of Mount Abu. Locals are unhappy with bus operators adding the temple to their routes. As seen in the photograph above, strings of tourist buses line the side of this narrow road causing a nuisance to the locals there. Every time I have to drive up this road I grit my teeth in sheer frustration as I have to manoeuvre around scuttling tourists making a bee-line for the temple. In peak season, the traffic authorities use this relatively quiet road as one way to ease the surge of inflow of vehicles. Imagine the chaotic scenes created here on this incline. It’s a potential breeding ground for accidents.
Tourist season brings out the best in the Police Department and Traffic section for managing traffic. Their management around the clock is greatly appreciated by the local Abuites and the tourists who visit here. It’s these wily tours and bus operators who flaunt the law for a fast and convenient buck. They literally take the tourist for a ride. Tourists who wish to worship at the Shanker Math should be encouraged to walk a short distance from the town; it would be an exhilarating experience for them. We should make the tour operators responsible for clearing up this area of the garbage created by the careless tourists who are brought here.

Weather update Mount Abu.

Water works with hills in the background

Today, May 24, 2008, after several days, it appears like we will encounter the summer heat that it accustomed us to. The weather has been deceiving us in Abuites for the entire month of April, and until yesterday, Abu enjoyed a climate unlike any we had ever seen. Summer seemed to have forgotten it had to visit this abode after a cold winter. Unseasonal winds have caused colder temperatures here, and heavy hail has pounded the hillside. The pre-monsoon morning mist has arrived early, suggesting that the monsoons are on their way. Abu's monsoon season typically begins in the second week of July, ten days after Mumbai. My dad said the villagers in Rajasthan could accurately forecast the monsoon by watching nature. They have a belief that the year in which they observed hordes of scorpions and lizards it’s a premonition to heavy and prolonged monsoon. I recall the strange behaviour of my dogs in the year 2001. On the 24th and 25th of January, the dogs were constantly restless and moving from one place to another, exhibiting unusual behaviour. For no apparent reason, they would wince and howl and go off with their food. I did find it unnerving, but could not put a finger on what they were trying to portray. On the morning of the 26th, I was in the lavatory when I suddenly felt my head swirling and a quaking in my legs. I believed I was about to have a B.P. attack until I felt the entire building wobble. I raced out of the bathroom and led the rest of the folks out of the flat; it was chaotic; people from all walks of life had congregated in the main plaza, perplexed by nature's fury. The horror and astonishment I saw on people's faces will live on in my memories for the rest of my life.

The Mozzies of Mount Abu

Mosquitoes of Mount Abu

Mozzies Mount Abu

Have you ever tried to run away from the mozzies, well all evening I’ve been doing just that with no relief from the little devils, the bloody bloodsuckers? Even as I’m writing about the suckers they are playing havoc with my legs in shorts, the only defence I have against them is now and again to take a swipe at them with my Chinese racquet; you know the one that zaps them every time I made a hit. I’m sure a cannibal would have been delighted to be right where I am sitting before my monitor, as the roasted stench from the zapped mosquitoes would have whetted his appetite. The bloody heat is oppressive today after a week’s long crazy breeze that has left us, folks, wondering what has happened to the climate. Is it global warming?? Or just some freak of nature. I’ve been shunting in and out of the room to get some relief from going over the edge, much to the annoyance of my bitter half who is keenly watching her TV soaps. The mozzies out here are mostly the garden variety but the little devils are like the legendary Piranha; they can pierce through the toughest fibre to attain their goal. Their prick leaves a welt which can be extremely irritating, but there’s one consolation, you do not get dreaded malaria from them.

Here I’m raving and ranting about these unavoidable pests, I should have lit or used any of the many mosquito repellants to keep these little buggers at bay, but let me warn the elderly and the not so robust folks to avoid these modern-day wonder marvels as they can be life-threatening, ask me and other folks who have ended up at the end of this ominous spectrum. My system now cannot be exposed to any kind of repellant, as it sends me into limbo. When I fall off to sleep, I have a vague dream; I dream hordes of these little guys’ gang up and literally lift the bed sheet I’m sleeping on and carry me off to their feeding ground. More on the climate update tomorrow.

I advise tourists visiting India to carry a large tube of odomos or some other concoction to get some temporary relief from these mozzies, a part and parcel of our life on the sub-continent.

ABU’S SUMMER FESTIVAL

 Gracias congregate at  Nakki Lake on Budh Purnima.

Gracias congregate at Nakki Lake

Gracias congregate at Nakki Lake

 Gracias congregate at  Nakki Lake on Budh Purnima

Today the Summer Festival in Abu has commenced, and so has a longstanding traditional event, the annual mass arrival of the Gracias onto Nakki Lake at Budh Purnima. It’s an auspicious day for the Buddhist and the Hindu worshiper at large. The annual influx of the Gracias with their eye-catching attire, bright bold coloured traditional dresses and flashing jewellery is associated with the very essence and extraordinary world of, outstanding grandeur. Nothing on this good earth can ever change the destination of these folks from visiting the mythical Nakki Lake at every Budh Purnima. It’s like a moth being drawn to the flame; mingling with these extraordinary folks today at the lake sent a pang of envy through my very being. My human-inspired notions of what life is all about came crashing down like a bolt of lightning; this is what life is all about, one needs to be willing to let go and live life to the hilt like these simple tribal folks. I marvel at their zest for fun and frolic, to reach here some of them have trudged barefooted all the way up the mountain from their respective villages a distance of over 30 or more kilometres

This year the summer festival is slated to be an extraordinary event, a lot of planning by the town authorities has gone into it, and the venues for different events are scheduled at vantage points all around Abu. Dusk will usher in either a play or discourses at different venues slated for these events. We advise tourists to pay heed to the announcements made by the authorities what events are slated and at what venue. I’m sure those fortunate tourists who happened to be present at the lake today will go away with some fond memories of these Rajasthani folks.

Mount Abu The rock and Roll Fete

Muncipality Chairman Jalam Jiri

The Hostel association Mount Abu today hosted a fete for the students. It was the first ever fate organized by the association. I was there on the ground by 10.30 am as the scheduled time was 11.00 am. The fate of the fete seemed doomed by the low key activities I witnessed till 12.00pm. The stalls were still being organized; there was an air of apprehension, would the Abu schools support our efforts by sending their student to make the fete a success.
The roller coaster influx of the students caught the organizers off guard, the steady stream of students descended like the tsunami with a vengeance. Sophia High School my hats off to the sister for bringing the entire girls school to the venue. The gaiety, the rocking music from the disco stall held the student enthralled, neither the heat nor the dust had any dampening effect on the merrymaking crowds. The so called elite of the students St.Mary’s High school weren’t to be seen anywhere on the premises I really wonder, why were they grounded? I’m sure the boys if they had landed would have had a ball of a time.
Municipality chairman Jalam Giri was the chief guest , he on seeing the crowd was impressed while shaking my hand he commented , “It’s a wonderful and thoughtful way your organization have streamed your efforts to give the students of this hill station such a grand time, keep up the good work. The fete was a hit the students, the organizers and the team of devoted helpers all left the venue with a smiling faces. I’m sure the students will look forward to another fate next year.

My brother-in-law and self

The crowd of students at the fete

Mount Abu–Our Precious Kingdom Under Pressure

The Rajasthan Government's Vision for Mount Abu: Opening the Doors to Progress.

 Development or Decline: A Defining Moment for the Aravallis.

A decisive knock once echoed through the doors of progress—but today, one must ask: progress at what cost?

On April 17, 2008, Vasundhara Raje attended the closing ceremony of the Maharao Sirohi Polo Match, signalling a renewed governmental focus on Mount Abu. What followed was a vision—to transform this fragile hill station into an international tourism destination.

The Golf pavilion is lying in ruin 

On paper, it sounded promising.

In reality, the stakes could not be higher.

 Mount Abu is not just another tourist spot—it is the only hill station in Rajasthan, a rare ecological refuge perched within the ancient folds of the Aravalli Range. Its forests, water bodies, and wildlife are already under strain. Any conversation about “development” must begin with this undeniable truth: this ecosystem is fragile, finite, and already showing signs of stress.

The proposed plans spoke of balance—development without harming natural beauty. But history across India has shown us how often that balance tips the wrong way.

 Take Nakki Lake—the lifeline of the town. Once pristine, it now faces the cumulative burden of tourism pressure, waste, and neglect. Reviving it is not just a project—it is a necessity for survival. Without water security, Mount Abu’s future collapses, no matter how grand the vision.

Then there is the growing chaos of traffic.

What was once a quiet retreat has transformed into a congested maze during peak seasons. Vehicles have multiplied many times over, choking narrow roads, polluting the air, and eroding the very charm that draws visitors here. Parking has become an afterthought in a town that was never designed for such volume.

 And yet, we speak of expanding tourism further.

There are also plans for heritage restoration and even developing a world-class golf course—ambitious ideas that may attract global attention. But they raise uncomfortable questions:

 At what ecological cost will this expansion come?

 How much more strain can this landscape bear?

 And who benefits—the local ecosystem, or external interests?

 The promise of employment for local communities is important. But we must build sustainable livelihoods with the environment, not at its expense. Short-term economic gain cannot justify long-term ecological loss.

Because once this delicate balance is broken, it cannot be restored.

 This is not opposition to development—it is a call for responsible, accountable, and sensitive planning. Mount Abu does not need to become another overcrowded tourist hotspot. It needs to remain what it has always been—a sanctuary.

 A refuge.

 A kingdom of quiet forests, clear skies, and living heritage.

 And somewhere within this ongoing narrative, I reflect on my journey—of observing, writing, and speaking for this land. Perhaps these words are just drops in a vast ocean. Perhaps they change little.

 But silence changes nothing at all.

 Most people believe in “live and let live” and trust in karma.

But today, Mount Abu asks something more of us:

Will we let it live?

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Mount Abu is not just a destination. It is a responsibility.

Mt.Abu "Swami Vivekananda" Champa Gufa

Today was an exhilarating day; neither the hot mid day sun nor the trudging up the steps to the base of Toad Rock could have been more invigorating. I had gone to get some snaps of the Champa Gufa (caves) which is mid-way. Finding it closed I went in search of the present day Poojari or Maharaj. The Poojari, Saral Pandey was an accommodating, simple man. In the course of my chit chatting with him he divulged that a few years ago three holy Shishyas of Swami Vivekananda had come in search of this very same Gufa. You may be wondering where I’m leading you with this introduction, well it’s time I dwell on the main topic as to why I’m highlighting this place .
I’m going to write about what I consider the Swami of all Swamis none other than Narendra, to the rest of the world known as Swami Vivekananda. I only hope I do justice to this most revered and learned man, the man responsible for spreading Hinduism to America and to the rest of the world. His charismatic charm, his rich personality, his profound and flexible wisdom held his audiences in rapt attention whenever he held discourses or gave lectures. He was an individual of great strength, always questioning, seeking for answers unceasingly, never believing anything that was heresy.
He was a shishya( disciple)of Ramakrishna. When Ramakrishna died of throat cancer Narendra and a group of disciples took vows to become monks and renounce everything. Narendra travelled a lot, he was an undeniable force of transformation for many people who came into his life.
He was the chief guest of Maharaja Ajit Singh Shekhawat in Mount Abu, at his residence Khetri house. Today Khetri house is the present day Sophia High School. Swami Narendra also spent a month in meditation and discourses at the Champa Gufa. From here he went to Khetri. To know how Narendra got the name Vivekananda click on this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khetri


Swami Vivekananda is today one the most revered Swamis of this century. He is a true beacon to the youth of this country, his doctrines and wise advice vibe with this modern generation. . His advice is that, “Do not hate anybody, because that hatred which comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you, completing the circle.
Anyone looking to do penance just for the heck of it would like to see if could endure what this soul went through in Champa Gufa. I’m attaching some photographs I took today of the Gufa where he slept and conducted his discourses for the one month that he spent in Abu.

Saral Pandey at the door of Champa Gufa

Swami Vivekananda's bedroom while he was here in Abu.

seat of discourse

Seat of wisdom graced by Swami Vivekananda

A small ashram built In his honour opp the Catholic grave yard