Winter Festival Sharad Mahotsav 2024 in Mount Abu:

 Mount Abu’s Cultural Extravaganza: Winter Festival.

Invitation Winter Festival Mount Abu

Per Kind favour Saurabh Gangadia

Mount Abu panoramic view 

Mount Abu  snapped from Gurushikar 

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        PLEASE NOTE:

Winter Festival Sharad Mahotsav 2024 in Mount Abu HAS BEEN CALLED OFF! AS OF TODAY!

Join us for a cultural winter celebration.

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season? Experience the charm of Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s hill station, at the Sharad Mahotsav 2024 Winter Festival; a captivating blend of culture, nature, and festive spirit. 

**Mount Abu: Your ideal winter destination. Here’s why.** 

Nestled in the heart of Rajasthan, Mount Abu offers an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With crisp, frosty weather, this lone hill station in the desert makes for a magical end-of-year winter wonderland holiday. Forecasts for this season predict a cold week in the lead-up to New Year, making it perfect for cosy celebrations set against a backdrop of serene lakes and abundant greenery. 

**The Winter Festival: A Spectacle of Culture and Joy** 

Mark your calendar—**December 29, 2024,** marks starting the much-anticipated Winter Festival in Mount Abu. Get ready for a grand celebration showcasing the diverse cultures of Rajasthan and beyond, including:

 **Mesmerizing Performances**: Talented musicians and dancers nationwide will take centre stage, clad in stunning traditional attire and accessories. Picture the soulful strains of the shehnai welcoming you as you immerse yourself in the rhythm of folk dances and melodies. 

 **A Feast for the Senses**: Indulge in the rich flavours of Rajasthani cuisine and explore stalls featuring local handicrafts, offering the perfect mementoes to take home. 

The festival boasts family-friendly fun, with cultural displays and engaging activities for all ages. 

**Mount Abu: More Than a Festival**

Beyond the festival, Mount Abu itself is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visit: 

**Guru Shikhar**, the highest point in Rajasthan, offers panoramic views of the Aravalli range. 

 ** The tranquil **Nakki Lake**, perfect for a leisurely boat ride. 

The awe-inspiring **Dilwara Temples**, a testament to exquisite marble craftsmanship. 

**A Chilly Welcome to the New Year** 

Whether you’re dancing to folk tunes under the stars, savouring warm delicacies, or soaking in the serene winter atmosphere, Mount Abu’s Winter Festival is the perfect way to end 2024 and welcome 2025. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to create magical memories—head to Mount Abu and let the Winter Festival Sharad Mahotsav be your gateway to the holiday season. 

Daily Events from 29 to 31 Dec 2024

Winter Festival Programme

Per Kind favour Saurabh Gangadia

The organizers will host the main events of the Winter Festival at the.

POLO GROUND

Polo Grounds snapped via Google Earth.

Before I wind off my post I wish all my viewers Compliments of the season and Cheers to the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS 
WISH YOU A STRESS-FREE AND HEALTHY YEAR,.

Mount Abu ravaged yet again by unseasonal weather storm.

 Mount Abu Faces Nature's Wrath: Unseasonal Thunderstorm Astounds Residents.

Greetings from Mount Abu The Abode of Gods.

 

Mount Abu, the peaceful hill station in the Aravalli Range, has suffered an unexpected change in its weather pattern. Despite India's Meteorological Department's warnings of unusual weather on Monday and Tuesday owing to a western disturbance, the storm arrived a day earlier, taking locals and visitors by surprise. The thunderstorm, which was accompanied by torrential rain, lightning, and howling winds, caused a terrifying experience mainly for those ascending the hills.

The day started off brightly enough, with the sky progressively darkening at about 10 a.m. What happened next, however, was anything from average. Reports of heavy rain began to arrive from Abu Road, and by 5 p.m., the storm's crescendo had reached its apex. Last night's thunderstorm was a striking reminder of nature's unexpected might, as the winds howled and lightning lit the gloomy sky.

Impact on Daily Life: As the storm raged, the electric department battled to keep up. Power failures reduced the town into darkness, forcing inhabitants to battle the cold by candlelight. The electric department expected to restore normalcy the next day, leaving Abuites to deal with the inconvenience. In The storm's aftermath, Mount Abu got 45 mm of rain. The trickling streams resumed to flow again, revitalising the area. Despite the difficulties encountered by the people, nature's perseverance was obvious, and the mist-covered hills continued to lure travellers like moths to a flame.

Person-to-Person Encounters with Nature's Fury:

One individual related a personal experience of seeing lightning strike twice in the vicinity. The first attack happened along the main road, near the Neelkanth temple, while the second happened over a residence, knocking off dish antennas and destroying electronic equipment. Such intimate encounters serve as a harsh reminder of nature's sheer force.

Rajasthan's Climate Changes:

This year has seen irregular climatic variations in Mount Abu and most of Rajasthan, culminating in the region's first-ever cyclonic storm. Unpredictable weather patterns have created difficulties for inhabitants while stressing the significance of adjusting to a changing environment.

 Mount Abu's recent brush with unusual weather demonstrates the unpredictability of our environment. As we face the difficulties of climate change, it is critical that we recognise and respect nature's powers while also finding methods to cohabit happily with the surrounding environment. The recent thunderstorm may have briefly disturbed everyday life, but it also provided a look into the courage and beauty that distinguish Mount Abu and its people.

Mount Abu's first-ever CYCLONIC STORM

Last Night Mount Abu faced its first coldest night this season, and temperatures will keep dropping right up to Jan's end.

Mount Abu Temperature gauge per kind favour Anil.

For a comfortable stay at Mount Abu, contact Anil

at 

Babbars' Den.

Avian flu ALERT In Rajasthan after crows die in Jhalawar. Mount Abu ( 05/01/2021 )

The Rajasthan Government sounded an alert after confirming "avian influenza." 

The moon on New Year's Eve Abu Road 

An amazing red moon appeared in the sky during our New Year's Eve barbecue on my brother-in-law's AbuRoad rooftop. It was exceptional with its bloody red colour. Wish I had a tripod stand that day. Anyway, I did click on a few presentable snaps of the moon. The myths and superstitions surrounding a ‘Blood Moon’ worldwide portray an event as an omen. We laughed and joked about the blood moon and thought nothing much of it, as it’s another celestial rock in the universe.

A red blob appeared at the end of 2020, signalling that 2021 might not be good for Earth. The year 2020 has taken its toll on humans with the dreaded COVID-19 virus. Is there going to be an anchor at the start of the new century from 2021 to 2030? Are we going to be plagued with an even more deadly pandemic? 

We in Rajasthan are now on high alert after they detected the bird flu virus in crows.

Here is a quote from India Today :

Kunji Lal Meena, Rajasthan's principal secretary, said on Sunday. “Till now, 47 crows have died in Kota, 100 in Jhalawar and 72 in Baran. They reported no death in Bundi. We are committed to spreading awareness and implementing measures to control the situation.

A cousin of mine, Genevieve from Kota, sent me this picture. She and her mates had gone out to spend the day together. They observed a crow dying on a lawn. See the snap below.

WhatsApp Image Dead crow in Baran Rajasthan 30 Dec 20 

(Town Sultanpur

Place Royal Academy (School)

Date     30th De. 2020

Time at 9.30 am 

The crow was dying when we observed it at 9.30 in the morning and died by about 3.00 pm. We did not go close to it. My friend took the snapshot.)

Hopefully, this avian flu does not spread far and wide like the COVID-19 virus. It will be catastrophic for the wildlife here in Rajasthan. Already alarm bells are chiming and the authorities have swung into action, closing off all sensitive zones.

6 Jan 2021

An update on the Bird situation

Click the link below

Dead or dying wild birds 

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary birds

To learn more about the H5NI, click the links above

Special Cover released on the 90 anniversary of the St.Mary's High School Mount Abu.

St. Mary's High School Mount Abu Celebrating its 90th year under the Christian Brothers.

Special Cover on the Heritage Building of St. Mary's High School Mount Abu Rajasthan

Department of Post released this Special Cover on the Heritage Building of St. Mary's High School Mount Abu Rajasthan. Special credit goes to Maharaj Daivat Singh (Batch of '72) and Noel de Sá '79. To read more about the event, I've attached the brochure. 

The cover depicts a photograph of the school and the logo of the school.

St Mary's High School 

St Mary's High School 

Another Angle 

BROCHURE

Screenshots

ST MARY"S HIGH SCHOOL

Peepli Poonam Fair Mount Abu 18 May 2019

The Annual congregation on Peepli Poonam of Gracias to pay obeisance to their departed souls.

The Unique Blue Full Moon

Gracias arriving in waves

The tribal womenfolk 

At the lake

Thousands of Gracias (Tribal ) from Rajasthan come to Nakki Lake for Buddha Purnima. Their zest for fun and frolic is out of this world. View the vibrant traditional attire of these tribal folks and experience their joyful singing. This annual meeting is something akin to the Maha Kumbh festival. Today, Abu will witness the colourful gaiety of these fun-loving folks. Tomorrow they will be gone and they will leave the Abode of the gods with fond memories of this place. Abuites will again look forward to their gathering on the Flower full moon next year.

The Rover in me resides flash trip to Mori Bera

Mori Bera Summarized: Rediscovering the Wandering Spirit.

In the fabric of life, a small nudge from the past can ignite the dormant restlessness within. “If you don’t use it, you will lose it,” my father’s wise warning rang in my ears as I found myself in limbo following a life-changing injury. The relentless prodding of a few old friends shook me out of my stupor, driving me back into the enthralling worlds of travel and nature.

A phone call from Kunoo, a buddy who recognised the power of alluring adventure, was the impetus for my rebirth. He dangled a tempting proposition in front of me: a meeting with a mother leopard and her two cubs, a promise that ignited my wandering soul. I embarked on a journey to Mori Bera with two other close comrades, Harry and Abu’s courageous trekker Charles, resolved to break free from the shackles of routine.

The possibility of seeing my long-lost drinking companion after a lifetime brought an extra element of excitement to the adventure. Kunoo’s leopard safari turned out to be nothing short of paradise rediscovered. Zia, the stately leopardess, and her two playful pups became the objects of my camera, and I captured images that will live on in my mind forever. Zia was the child of Zara, a leopard who had been last seen in Bera three years before.

The excursion proceeded with a fantastic bird-watching trip to Jawai Dam, where nature revealed its splendour in pulsing hues. But not everything was perfect, as the sighting of the Indian Blue Bull, Nilgai, left a sorrowful note in my travels.

One shot of a deer piqued my interest, causing me to issue a challenge to the reader: uncover the unseen tale behind this routine moment in the forest. I urge you to experience my great admiration for nature’s beauties as I reveal images of Zia and her pups in upcoming postings, followed by fascinating birding pictures.

This brief excursion to Mori Bera developed into a soul-stirring expedition, a monument to the undying spirit of discovery that exists inside all of us. As my heart rushes with the excitement of the unknown, I urge you to join me on this virtual adventure and experience the beauty that lies in answering the call of the unknown.

 

 Blue Bull at the dam site

 Blue Bull at the dam site

  Blue Bull at the dam site

  Blue Bull at the dam site

  Blue Bull at the dam site

The snap above  and this one what does it indicate??

INCREDIBLE BERA

View The Leopards Lair Resort Bera Rajastahn in a larger map

My love for this place dates back to the early 1980’s, Mr. Devi Singh and I have been good friends and I have spent some wonderful times here, fishing, trekking, and roaming this cowboy country with it’s beautiful and matchless granite rocky hill formations.

When I tell people of this fascinating place and the wonderful animals one gets to see here, they retort “Mate you have been in the desert too long, you were probably  hallucinating “ Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words, Go ahead and enjoy my recent “HALLUCINATIONS”   

THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN ON VALENTINE’S DAY AND ON THE FOLLOWING DAY

Zara the Female Leopard

Zara the Female Leopard

Watching the world go By

Took these snaps around 4.30pm

Humans you look like a lovely meal

Rather take a nap than a snap at you

Slurp that was a wonderful meal

 

Looking right into the camera lens

Blue Bulls (Neel Gui )

Blue Bull on the run

A huge Crock at the Jawai Dam

These crock pictures taken at the Jawai Dam.

While having a few refreshers after our evening safari, our host Kunoo kept us amused with some real down to earth experiences he’s had with some of his guests on safari’s one such episode goes like this.

“ Bappu, can I have a look through your binoculars at the crocodiles that you are viewing”

Sure see the one over there, the guest views through the binoculars and see one crock with its mouth open, excitedly he passes it to his companion and tells him  “Jo-Jo Aunu modhu kulhu chai” (Look,man look it has its mouth open), Na,bhai na aunu modu bandh chai. (no, man no its mouth is closed)Mane jovade (let me have a look) surprised he turns to the host and asks him, Bappu, remote control chai soo?? ( Sir do you have a remote control ) the host is blown flat off his feet, REMOTE CONTROL for what?? The reply he gets “to open and close the jaws of the crocks!!!!

How Many Crocks?

Small crock at one of the lakes

Taken at the Lair

Black headed Ibis and ducks 

Black winged stilt 

Button Quail

Greater Coucal

Taken at the Resort

Look at this antique clock the numbers are in Hindi

even the folks of Bera are not aware of it!

White Backed Vulture 

Painted Stock

Drongo riding piggy back

drongos

Eagle

Fledglings Painted Stock

Geese 

Painted stock in flight

Indian roller

Joy and Tidings

Ducks

Landing

At the Lair

Any one for water

Sarus Crane

Snipe

Painted Stock

Eagle

A village Scene

White Backed Vulture