Cold wave to continue in Mt Abu ushering in 2021.( 28/12/2022 )

Cool, dry conditions to continue well into New Year’s 2021.

The temperature at 9/30 

Last night's temperature reflecting -1C

Frozen Dew, Mount Abu

India’s Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the cold wave situation will continue for some time. Right now, as I write this blog, the temperature is 6 degrees. 

Last night it had dipped to =-5 degrees. 

Temperature last night

Pipelines in Abu froze, and the residents had to wait till the sun was up to thaw them. Imagine having your morning wash in icy cold water, more- so, for us who do not use toilet paper. FROZEN BUTT!

Mount Abu’s cold wave situation is worse with the icy wind blowing over. Quite a few folks leave for the plains to avoid staying here through the winter months. The wind right now is chilly. I have taken this opportunity to bang off a few lines to upraise you about our situation. 

Welcome to all those heading here for the New Year. Because of the pandemic this year, the winter festival will not take place. Wish All a pleasant stay BE SAFE.

29 Dec 2020.

An update on the weather in the Abode of the Gods 

-5 degrees last night 

And right now 🕗 8:26 it's 

Sit in the sun ☀ 

GOOD MORNING ABU

Christmas in the year of the Pandemic. Mount Abu.(22/12/2020 )

 "There's no place like home for your Christmas bash in this pandemic year."

Mount Abu 22 Dec 2020.

Celebrations for Christmas will be low-key, just like our other festivals. COVID-19 has put a damper on all Social gatherings and mass merrymaking. This year the traditional midnight mass on the eve of Christmas that ushers in the celebrations of Christmas will not happen because of guidelines laid down by social distancing guidelines.

It's jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way oh, one slip in social distancing, will destroy your ride, and send you packing in an ambulance to the gateway to .......!

Every time a bell rings, the coronavirus goes for a swing, 

Every time we hear cheers, the virus looks at us with fear,

The lights on the trees act like beacons wishing you all,

 A stress-free magical holiday season.

Spread your Christmas Cheer, singing loud for all to hear.

"MERRY Christmas"

MERRY Christmas 

Mount Abu presently is not under LOCKDOWN, but social distancing guideline is a must. Tourists who come to Abu for their holiday season adhere to.

>  Avoid physical contact, no hugs or handshakes 

>  Keep your distance in your merrymaking and avoid close face-to-face contact

>. Following the social distancing rules

.> Avoid roaming in large groups. 

>  Abu will levy a fixed fine of Rs 500 for those who do not wear a mask 

>  Buy Your Alcohol will in time to avoid last mine buying as the place outside the liquor shops gets overcrowded, and this is not desirable.

.> Tourists don't forget your woollies as the temperature after sundown drops to 0 at night. 

"BE SAFE BE HAPPY TAKE CARE ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY CHEER"

CHEERS 🥂

Mount Abu shivers night temperature down to 0 C. [ 17 Dec 2020.]

 Mount Abu Freezes at 0 degrees.

Mount Abu Freezes at 0 degrees.

Abuites woke up to a frosty morning. Last night was chilly and the chilly wind made it worse. A wonderful time to sit out in the garden and bask in the sun. November was exceptionally chill this year. The first week of December was pleasant.

With the return of the retreating monsoons, Abu goes back to face the cold wave that is sweeping Rajasthan. Night temperatures have fallen constantly. Last night Abu saw its first 0 degrees for this winter season.

Temperature Mount Abu 16 Dec 2020
(Snapper kind favour Anil. Babbar's Den-An Elegant Homestay.)

"Greetings from Mount Abu "

May you be immune and safe from the COVID-19 virus this winter.

Greetings to our graduates and students in the Year of the Pandemic.

Hopefully, with the rollout of the vaccines, life will normalize.

[18 Dec 2020 ]

Cold wave in full swing. 

Last Night's Temperature

Frozen dew

Frozen dew

(Snapper kind favour Anil. Babbar's Den-An Elegant Homestay.)

Frost 18 Dec 20

Frost Polo ground Mount Abu 18 Dec 20

(Snapper kind favour Deepesh: WHY HOTEL Agroha?

DIWALI in the PANDEMIC's [ YEAR 2020 ] MOUNT ABU.

 ABUITES FIRED NOT A SINGLE CRACKER ON Diwali NIGHT A RECORD FOR THIS ECOZONE.

Mount Abu

COVID-19 has dampened the fun of all the festivals. Many places and some states here in India have banned the use of fireworks for this Diwali. People all over the world use fireworks and firecrackers to celebrate various life events such as marriages, Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, and the Olympics closing ceremony, not just in India where it is a prominent tradition, particularly during Diwali. Even though firecrackers produce crazy noise smoke and pollution, the public at large enjoys firecrackers.

The pandemic on our lives over these last few months with lockdowns, face masks, social distancing and the FEAR of contacting the virus has reduced our lives to a frizzle. Once humanity was like the firecrackers bursting with life and always on the bang and now FIzzzzzzlllleeee. The year 2020 has witnessed the ULTIMATE fear psychosis that the COVID-19 virus has plunged us into, but for how long? Next week Mount Abu will buzz and the hillsides will probably witness traffic jams and the crowds that will descend here will make the pandemic seem insignificant. The tourists who land here seem to forget the precautions and protocol that they have to follow, and this could invite hazards for us Abuites.

To all our esteemed guests, I wish you all a stress-free and safe passage and hopefully; you enjoy your Diwali holiday to the hilt. Welcome to Mount Abu. Please treat it as your HOME. Avoid littering and throwing booze bottles on the hillsides.

Wishing you all a happy Diwali.

Kanjari deer Park, Ahmedabad.[ 24/09/2020 ]

The Kanjari Deer Park is  7 km from the Thol bird sanctuary. 

ALBINO Blackbuck Kanjari Deer Park  

When I go to Gujarat, I become a wandering eagle searching for fresh places to watch birds. Since I’m here now, I visited a few places in and around Ahmedabad. I phoned a few birding guides and Sherwin, who’s based in Ahmedabad, to get the latest on the migratory birds. They informed me that all sanctuaries and wildlife parks were closed till the 15 of October, because of the pandemic. Sherwin suggested I visit a place close to Thol Bird Sanctuary where the wild Blackbuck roams free. This place, although only 25 to 30 km from the city of Ahmedabad, is relatively unknown to the public at large, as it is slightly off the beaten track and not so popular.

Yesterday we left early so we could be at this not-so-famous place called the “Kanjari Deer Park”, This place is a vast open grassland with clumps of Keker bushes. We parked on a dirt road going through this semi-wilderness and within minutes were fortunate to spot a few small herds of blackbucks grazing at a distance. I took some photographs of these majestic animals and the prize was I bagged an albino among them.

I did a bit of birding but wished it was a clear day, photographing birds under subdued light leaves one slightly disappointed. I took photos of some species such as the Zitting Cisticola, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Painted Stork, Indian Roller, and Siberian Stonechat.

The sun over Kanjari Deerpark Sept 2020

Blackbuck Male Kanjari Deer Park

Blackbuck Kanjari Deer Park scampering 

Blackbuck Kanjari Deer Park  

Blackbuck Kanjari Deer Park  

Blackbuck Kanjari Deer Park  albino

Blackbuck Kanjari Deer Park  

Blackbuck Male  Kanjari Deer Park

Blackbuck Male  Kanjari Deer Park

Painted Stork 

Check my birding blog to see the birds.

Mount Abu Birds

Monsoons in the Abode of Gods.[ 07/09/2020 ]

 Monsoons Mount Abu in the year of the Pandemic 2020.

Paddy Bridge

This year, we had a few showers in lengthy intervals during July. They recorded only 6 inches of rain. August, the rainfall was erratic, and we had most of our rainfall at the fag end of the month. We observe an increase in climate change every year. Rainfall has become more variable, extreme, and catastrophic. We are now into the first week of September and yesterday the rain gods took it upon themselves to rain down cats and dogs. The torrential downpour for an hour and 30 minutes flooded not only our streams but the roads and all our water bodies, our two dams Lower Khodra and Upper Khodra dam the Nakki Lake overflowed, sending cascades of water down the hillsides. 

The met report now states our retreating monsoons are in play. Guess we will see a few thunderstorms before it finally peters out.

The tourists who were descending and those climbing the hill were in awe of the spectacle they witnessed. I’m posting a few pictures sent to me via WhatsApp about the events of yesterday.

Paddy Bridge

Tourists



Below are videos sent to me per kind favour Ms Trina.

Trina on the dam 

Per kind favour Ms Trina 

Mount Abu 6 Sept 2020

Received vis WhatsApp

THE SPECTRA OF TOURISTS [ IN THE PANDEMIC YEAR 2020 ] Mount Abu

Mount Abu sold out on weekends 

TOURISTS IN THE PANDEMIC YEAR 2020 MT ABU.

The lockdown in April 2020 brought Abu's tourism industry to a standstill. Our summer season saw the collapse of our tourist visitors. The brutal blow meted to Abu’s main livelihood affected all. Abuites faced a bleak future. It was impossible to predict when or how the coronavirus pandemic would allow travel to resume. With virtually all travel halted, and no silver lining to the dark monsoon clouds, tourist recovery seemed a pipe dream.

This oasis in the desert of Rajasthan became a magnet for thousands of tourists after the 15th of August 2020, when travel restrictions were lifted and the lockdown period was relaxed. Our Gujarati neighbours flooded Abu every weekend for a quick spree. The crowds that landed here gave one the impression that the most dreaded pandemic in the history of modern man had ended. Personally, this baffling rush and the volume of traffic coming into Abu has left me apprehensive about the safety of our Abuites. This gravitation of the Gujaratis for Mount Abu in droves makes me think here of the adage “Like moths drawn to a flame”. 

Our country has not reached a coronavirus peak, and the long-term implications are unclear. Every day one reads in the papers of leaps and bound by COVID-19 NEW CASES. COVID is out of control in our country and the only solution is a vaccine to stop it. They set India on becoming Numero 1 on the cover impact!

Will update you on the events of our retreating monsoons soon. Keep in touch 

Mount Abu an update of events post Lockdown period [.Aug 2020.]

 Pandemic threat and Lockdown blues Beckon tourists to the GREEN OASIS OF Rajasthan.

Plummy From School per kind favour Brother Agnello

Before I go further with my rants on Mount Abu, let me wish all of you well.

May the glory of our Independence Day be an inspiration for us to achieve greatness in life. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Monsoons in Mount Abu, with its pitter-patter, clouds swirling through the trees, and misty conditions playing hide and seek with the subdued sunlight from above, are a major attraction for our Gujarati visitors. Post 15 Aug 20 and this weekend has seen an exceptional influx of tourists. The lockdown has made people want to escape their homes and find some freedom. The charm of the cool and misty conditions is a thrill. The waterfalls along the hillsides are a great attraction. For the vacationer, this brief trip is a welcome change from being cooped up because of the lockdown.

Abuites are happy that such a large volume of tourists have visited this abode, but the bummer should this be a short-lived euphoria that comes crashing down on the local populace who, if exposed to COVID-19, brought via these visiting guests. Guess only time will tell. “Be positive, be safe, wear your mask, keep your social distancing. Coronaviruses are not a joke, there is no cure. If you contract it prepare to die.

Misty Mount Abu

An accident waiting to happen at waterfall Mt Abu

(Photo via WhatsApp )

Waterfall Mt Abu

(Vid via WhatsApp )

"A beautiful waterfall on Mount Abu, with water tumbling down the rocky terrain and surrounded by lush foliage and trees."

I will post updates on wildlife, and other events shortly 

Tourism sector open from today [ 22 June 2020 ] Mount Abu.

Oh, to be in Abu in the coronavirus year Pandemic. 

Mount Abu

The Mount Abu Administration, headed by Dr Ravindra Goswami Subdivisional Officer, Held a meeting with the Hotel Association, The Municipality and others yesterday to take stock of the situation and ensure that the smooth opening of the hotel industry, the restaurants and other related tourist outlets opened securely with the "Does and Donts" laid down so that the safety of tourists is ensured and the situation does not spiral out of control.

It's been three months now since Abu finally opened its gate to the public at large. Today it has given hotels and restaurants the green signal to open up and function by the Recent RULES that are implemented by the Administration.

Institutions should follow common procedures for safety.
1. NO SITTING ARRANGEMENT AT RECEPTION
2. EVERY GUEST WILL HAVE TO FILL OUT A SELF-DECLARATION FORM. IT IS COMPULSORY FOR EVERY GUEST.
3. ARRANGEMENT OF HANDSFREE SANITIZATION ON ENTRANCE AND EVERY FLOOR
4. THE ROOM SHOULD BE SANITIZED AFTER CLEANING DAILY.
5. 3 DISPOSABLE MASKS AND 3 SETS OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES ARE TO BE PROVIDED IN EVERY ROOM.
6. TEMPERATURE SCREENING IS COMPULSORY FOR EACH GUEST AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN AND EACH TIME HE COMES FROM OUTSIDE AND PROPER RECORD TO BE MAINTAINED
7. ANY CUSTOMER WHOSE ROOM IS PREBOOKED AND HAS TEMPERATURE CHECKIN TO BE DENIED AND TO BE INFORMED TO ADMINISTRATION.
8. IF ANY CUSTOMER DENIES TO FOLLOW BASIC RULES HE SHOULD BE ASKED TO CHECK OUT AND TO BE INFORMED BY THE ADMINISTRATION
9. NEED TO BE STRICT ON GUESTS WHO SPIT HERE AND THERE.
10. ROOMS BOYS SHOULD BE TRAINED TO WEAR HALF SLEEVES, MASKS AND GLOVES DURING SERVICE. DEVELOP A HABIT OF WASHING HANDS FREQUENTLY.
11. ROOM SERVICE TO THE ROOMS ONLY DESIGNATED FOR THEM
12. REGULAR SCREENING OF STAFF AND DATA TO BE MAINTAINED.
13. STAFF NOT TO BE RECRUITED WHO IS CARRIERS OF ANY DISEASE OR ABOVE 60 YEARS OF AGE,
14. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY OF 2 ADULT+2CHILD OR 2 ADULTS EVEN IF YOU HAVE ROOM OF OCCUPANCY MORE THAN DOUBLE BED
15. RESTAURANTS WITH SITTING ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD HAVE 3 FEET GAP BETWEEN TABLES AND STANDING ARRANGEMENTS 6 FEET GAP BETWEEN TABLES.
16. TABLES WITH 3*2 FEET 2 SITTING AND 6*4 SITTING OF 4 PEOPLE ALLOWED
17. FOR TAKEAWAY SANITIZE AFTER THE BOX IS SEALED
18. ACCEPT PAYMENTS THROUGH DIGITAL MODE ONLY
19. EVEN IF THERE IS A CUSTOMER WHO IS NOT DIGITALLY SMART TAKE PAYMENT WITHOUT DIRECT CONTACT
20. AROGYA SETU APP SHOULD BE THERE IN EVERY GUESTS MOBILE
21. NO ENTRY OF GUESTS IN HOTEL AFTER 9 O CLOCK AT NIGHT
22. THERMAL GUN IS MANDATORY
23. DISPLAY OF COVID GUIDELINE BOARD WITH HELPLINE NOS.
(02974-235900,8306591122) 

Solar Eclipse photos from Mount Abu [ 21 June 2020 ]

Mount Abu #SolarEclipse2020 as seen in the overcast skies of The Abode of Gods.

SolarEclipse2020 as seen in the overcast skies of Mount Abu.

Solar eclipse 

Solar eclipse through the clouds

Overcast skies and Solar eclipse

Monkey watching the solar eclipse

Monkey watching the solar eclipse

WHAT A DAY
The longest day in the Northern hemisphere
For some do YOGA as it is Yoga day
Father's Day Fathers have to contend with the Surya Grahan
Today is SOLAR ECLIPSE DAY
and finally 
SUN Day
According to the Mayan calendar, it's supposed to be DOOMSDAY TODAY. 

😳

Date palm trees Mount Abu [ 14/06/2020 ]

The Abode of the Gods is where the wild date palm trees grow.

Langoor eating dates 

Langoor eating dates 

Langoor descending the trunk of Date Palm

According to legend, the tree of knowledge was the date palm tree. Was this the fruit offered to Adam and not the Apple? The Jews and the Islamic religion have stressed the holiness of the date and date palm. It remains uncertain when the date palm was brought to Mount Abu. The Abu date palm is wild. It grows throughout our little hill station here in Rajasthan.

We do not harvest wild dates here as the fruit bears no pulp. The date comprises a large seed with a fine mess of coating. Wild bears (sloth bears) feast on the fallen fruit. Our local tribal uses the leaves of the date palm to feed their cattle in periods of drought. Some use the leaves to make brooms. Previously, our locals tapped the trees for their sweet neera. 

Seeing a langoor scale up a tree to feast on these wild dates surprised me. The monkey ate a few of the dates and shortly afterwards descended. The fruit did not hold a fascination for his hungry stomach. 

Troupes of Monkeys have invaded the fruit gardens here in Mount Abu. Scores of monkeys, who depend on handouts from the thousands of tourists visiting Abu, have come to a standstill after the COVID-19 lockdown.

MOUNT ABU KNOCK KNOCK WHO"S THERE? [ COVID 19 AT YOUR DOOR.[

LATEST NEWS COVID-19 MOUNT ABU.

Only this evening I posted the picture above on Facebook, making a declaration of our status. With the fear of a doomsday scenario, we Abuites implemented strict measures and established a powerful barrier in our small town to protect ourselves from the virus. The initial panic and claustrophobia of the sudden lockdown inflicted on us left a surge of anxiety for most of us folks here. The new mantra of social distancing, staying at home, and staying safe has become our fresh way of life. With the easing of some LOCKDOWN norms, the first of June gave relief to the general populace at large. 

Till today, we Abuites took pride in our status, "not a positive case in this little oasis of ours". It shatters this STATUS today when the knocking virus finally found one door that it had crept into. The Abu Administration has swung into action and has confined the positive case to contain the spread of COVID-19 here. As soon as I get an update on the latest, I'll keep you posted. 

Territorial Dominance Large-billed Crows [ 10/05/2020 ] Mount Abu.

Display of Territorial Dominance Large-billed Crows

Yesterday, I witnessed a bizarre scene. A few monkeys had climbed up the tower in front of my house, a domain of Large-billed crows. One monkey playfully took a swipe at one crow perched above him. Man, what followed next was a scene to behold, something like an Alfred Hitchcock movie scene. The crows went berserk and began attacking the monkeys. Their cawing was like a call to arms in a matter of minutes. Out of the blue, a flock of these crows appeared and began to dive-bomb the monkeys on the tower. The chimps scrambled off the tower for the safety of the trees. Appreciate a few snaps of the event.   

Large-billed Crow attacking monkey 

Appreciate the slide show in FULL FRAME 

Territorial Dominance Large-billed Crows

Mount Abu Wild Life during LOCKDOWN ( 22/04/2020 )

Wildlife Mount Abu 

A glimpse of wildlife in Mount Abu during the lockdown.
As Lockdown continues, people are spotting Sloth bears, Leopards, snakes, Jungle Grey fowl and red Spur-fowls.

Mount Abu is a great place to visit for a brief break. If you enjoy treks and jungle walks, it’s an ideal place to pursue your hobby. Don't expect to see sloth bears, leopards, or Sambhars easily, as they are very elusive. One might chance upon them if lucky enough during a night drive. 

Langurs are plentiful. We can see a variety of native birds throughout Abu.

I am posting some snaps of the recent wildlife events that I have recorded during our lockdown. 

Entwined as one

Damans Mating season 

Watch the slide show in FULL FRAME

DAMANS Love in Mount Abu

Dhamans or Indian rat snakes are very large, a common species, non-venomous, harmless to humans, and a fast-moving snake found throughout Mount Abu.

They rescued Python at St. Mary's school.
( Photograph per kind favour Ms Trina )

Sloth bear

Sloth bear

Vid Taken by grandson Keith: 

This bear has been a regular visitor to our garden for the last few days. He comes to gorge on the mulberries growing in the garden. 

Sloth bears are very dangerous. In hostile encounters with people, sloth bears often attack the head. 

Villagers get raked with the bear's enormous claws and their face becomes a pulpy mess. 

Check out my postings on Abu Bears over the years.

Indian Grey Mongoose

Indian Grey Mongoose and Red Wattled Lapwing

Squirrel on the lookout

Spurfowl with chicks

( Vid per kind favour Ms Trina)