Mount Abu echoes with the roar of the monsoons. [August 2022]

 The monsoon is active again in Mount Abu. There will be more showers to come.

The roar of the monsoons Mt Abu. 2022

It has been raining since 1 July 2022 on Mount Abu. It poured relentlessly with a vengeance on the hilltops, dales, gorges, and plains. There was a roaring river on Abu Road. It flowed from bank to bank, just below the bridge. The rainfall roared in Abu, bringing the hills and cataracts to life, spewing fiercely with fury, threatening ridges, bridges, roadways and pathways with intensity.

There is JOY and anxiety in the monsoon in Abu for the Aam Abuites. The showers exhilarated the jungle with their life-giving water. The reservoirs of Abu overflow to everybody’s delight. Rationing of the water supply will remain the same, “Every Second Day.” Tourists enjoy the falling rain like fish leaping out of the water. The gushing waters, waterfalls, and whirling mist are a welcome alleviation from the sweltering hot weather of the plains. 

The Abuites won't get a break from the rainy weather as the Met Department forecasts another round of rainfall next week. advise Mount Abu guests that while dancing and frolicking under waterfalls in a realistic area can be thrilling, they must avoid entering the rapids rushing downstream at all costs as it can be treacherous. Monsoons have already taken three lives this year with their rushing intensity. BE SAFE, TAKE CARE, AND DO NOT DO THE DARE.

Paddy's Bridge submerged, day scholars, get a holiday

Paddy's Bridge St Mary's Road.mp4

Per kind favour Sahil via WhatsApp 

Keep tuned will add more snaps and videos of events as they unfold.

Happy Easter from The Abode of Gods Mount Abu [ 4/04/2021 ]

 Wishing All a "Happy Easter" from Mount Abu.

MAY YOUR TROUBLES BE LESS

AND YOUR BLESSINGS BE MORE

AND NOTHING BUT HAPPINESS

COMES THROUGH YOUR DOOR

Irish Blessing

WISHING ALL MY VIEWERS 

A JOYOUS EASTER

Happy Easter to All my viewers 

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter, Be and take care

Tomorrow I will post the photographs of the Second week of March.

PS

NOTICE 

Tourists coming to Mount Abu Please note it's mandatory to HAVE CLEARED THE COVID-19 TEST before entering Rajasthan. While climbing up the hill the authorities will stop you and ask you for your test results if you have not done it they will ask you to return. Please be aware.

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 

Huge Boulder crashed onto the main road Of Mount Abu [ 17/08/2019 ]

Fortune favoured the oncoming tourist traffic.

An enormous boulder crashed onto the main road of Mt.Abu

Yesterday's heavy rain caused a boulder and a tree to fall on the main road to Mount Abu. Luckily, there was no traffic, and, and no one got hurt. The authorities immediately rushed to the spot to clear the road as the traffic coming up was tremendous.

Gauge Report, Mount Abu 

 17.08.19 Saturday.

🌧 Rain fall = 5.4 inch

🌧 Total Rainfall = 55.3 inch 

Lower Kodra Dam = 54'/59'

Upper Kodradam=24'5"/33'

Nakki =11.95/12.25 meter

Gauge Report, Mount Abu 

 18.08.19 Sunday.

🌧 Rain fall = 4.00 mm

🌧 Total Rainfall = 55.4 inch 

Lower Kodra Dam = 55’/59'

Upper Kodradam=25’/33'

Nakki =12.00/12.25 MTR

Once again, bear attacks and mauls local in Oriya Mount Abu.

 BEWARE of THE BEAR ATTACKS. Mount Abu.

July, August and September

During this time of year, people should be cautious of bears as mother bears and their cubs are out looking for food.

A local Abuite (Bada Singh) yesterday evening around seven pm was returning home with his cattle in Oriya when a bear attacked him. His screams drew the attention of the others in the area and they could shoo the bear away. They rushed the injured victim off to the Global Hospital. I’m posting the media received by my WhatsApp group. BE WARNED the photographs of this mishap and the link I’m posting from previous posts is gruesome.

Bada Singh victim bear attack

(Bada Singh in Global Hospital. The photo received via WhatsApp)

Bada Singh victim of Bear Attack Oriya

News clip media via WhatsApp 

Worst storm since 1994 leaves a trail of destruction across Mount Abu.

The worst storm since 1994 leaves a trail of destruction across Mount Abu.

Yesterday the telephone department finally restored my phone after a lapse of 15 days. Mount Abu experienced the worst storm since 1994 when it came under the spell of the low pressure that had developed over this region. The storm accompanied by torrential rainfall on the 27th and 28th of July left a trail of destruction in its wake, hundreds of trees were blown down causing a complete breakdown of its power supply, and property and some vehicles were destroyed because of falling trees, tin-sheeting’s over a lot of properties were blown off, even the tin sheeting over the schools bathing section was blown off. 

Continuous tons of rain that fell caused minor landslides, which breached the main road between Abu and Abu Road. Traffic came stranded to a standstill. Thousand of tourists are in this hill station on the 28.

I’m told that it rained around 40 inches in 48 hours. I think this would be a record of the highest rainfall ever recorded in such a brief space of time in this place. After the first heavy downpour, our Nakki Lake overflowed and the Lower Kodhar Dam, which needed to fill 9 feet, overflowed the next day. Paddy's bridge remained submerged for quite a long time.

The students of the school were like stranded prisoners in the corridors of the school. There was no class for at least 4 days. 

For Liz, Jennifer, and me, it was a really harrowing experience. The continuous rising and falling of the water in the stream in front had us in constant fear of the water entering and destroying all our furniture. We were without lights for an entire week. They restored our light on the 3 of August in the afternoon. 

Life is finally limping back to normal. The road is being repaired. Only light vehicles may ply. 




Here are Abulites who took a few snaps during this period.




The stream flooded in front of my house

The rising water in front of the house

It rose to 1 inch in front of our main door 

The road going down to Abu Road

Work in progress restoring the road

Paddy's bridge

Water flowing under the Big Bridge Abu Road

Mount Abu freezes at -1.5 Degrees.

Mount Abu freezes at -1.5 Degrees.

Mount Abu Freezes at -1.5 degrees Celsius in a Winter Wonderland.

As winter blankets several areas of the world, Mount Abu, the charming hill resort tucked in Rajasthan's Aravalli Range, recently saw an incredible freeze. The air was bitterly cold as temperatures dropped to -1.5 degrees Celsius, changing the peaceful environment into an amazing winter wonderland. This freeze usually occurs when Missouri and Kasauli in the north receive considerable snowfall, causing chilly draughts to rush down to Rajasthan.

On the morning of December 16, 2014, Mount Abu locals awoke to a breathtaking sight. The frigid weather caused the hill station of Mount Abu, known as the Abode of Gods, to be wrapped in a beautiful white blanket. The temperature had dropped to -1.5 degrees Celsius, leaving a frosty path on fields, scooters, and automobiles. They ornamented small bodies of water with fractured ice, showing the intensity of the cold weather.

The freezing temperatures took their toll on the local flora, with attractive plants and specific types succumbing to the chill. Some will never regain their previous energy, providing a sharp reminder of how harsh winter can be at these elevations. The frozen landscape's fine features exhibited the aftermath of the frost, creating a strange ambience.

Photographers eager to capture Mount Abu's unearthly brilliance in its frozen splendour grabbed the chance. The photographs from December 16, 2014, depict the landscape's magical transformation into a winter wonderland. Each shot, from frost-kissed trees to snow-draped plains, tells a tale about nature's raw force and its capacity to transform everyday scenes into something amazing.

It is important to understand that Mount Abu always endures cold temperatures during the winter. According to recent estimates, the temperature in the early morning hours might reach -1 degrees Celsius on certain nights. Tourists contemplating a trip to this picturesque hill station should bring their woollies and gloves since the nights and early mornings remain frozen in time.

Mount Abu's battle with freezing temperatures on December 16, 2014, shows the unpredictability of winter in these elevated terrains. The frozen beauty made a lasting imprint on all who observed it and stands as an enthralling chapter in the ever-changing saga of Mount Abu's natural splendour. Those considering a winter vacation to this hill station should be prepared to enter a realm where nature transforms into a stunning show, freezing time itself.

Fields covered in frost and bikes with a layer of ice.

Dew sparkling like little beads of pearls on the grass.

Temperature displaying -1.5 degrees

My Tame Kingfisher with fish from the frozen stream

 Kingfisher with fish from the frozen stream

Kingfisher fished a fish from the frozen stream.

Kingfisher with fish from the frozen stream

Kingfisher sitting on a branch enjoying the rising sun.

Kingfisher perched on a branch welcoming the rising sun.

Flying foxes of Mount Abu roosting

Majestic Flying Foxes of Mount Abu

Mount Abu has long been the sanctuary of the majestic Flying Foxes, their roosting sites close to the scenic Nakki Lake. For as far back as I can remember, they’ve found refuge in the towering trees around the civil hospital. Tourists visiting Abu often react with a mix of curiosity and unease when they first encounter these nocturnal marvels. The sight of them hanging upside down, observing from above, unsettles people, and their startled expressions are always amusing. Regrettably, bats have been affected by long-standing misunderstandings, attributed to Hollywood and Bollywood, which depicted them as malevolent beings associated with black magic, vampires, and eerie folklore.

 During my younger days, people approached me—sometimes desperate or eccentric—who sought to have these extraordinary creatures hunted for so-called medicinal purposes or arcane rituals. I would always give them the same response: the only reason I ever shoot any animal is to eat it. I learned this lesson early in life, and it has stayed with me. I remember as a boy, after shooting a few squirrels for their skins, my father approached me. With a stern yet gentle demeanour, he asked why I had taken their lives. I replied it was for their skin. He then posed a simple question that struck me: “What will you do with the rest of them?” I was unsure. That’s when he taught me a valuable lesson, one that shaped my perspective on life and nature. He told me, “If you take a life, it should have a purpose. Now you must cook and eat them, for life is not to be wasted.”

 Many of my friends hunted Flying Foxes for the thrill of an exotic meal, but I could never partake. I used to joke that I could eat anything that flew, except the silver bird, and anything with four legs, except the table I ate on. But over the years, life has softened me. I now spend my time educating others, especially the younger generation, about caring for the natural world. These creatures were here long before us, and it’s we who have encroached on their territory.

 But back to the Flying Foxes! Watching them at dusk, as they set off from their roosts in search of fruit, is a magical experience. They can consume up to ten times their weight, feasting on nectar, flowers, and fruit juice. With sharp night vision and a remarkable sense of smell, they navigate to their feeding grounds. However, their enormous size and lack of sonar (unlike their smaller bat cousins) make them vulnerable to dangers like high-tension power lines, especially on misty nights. These gentle creatures, so vital to our ecosystem, deserve our protection and admiration.

Flying foxes of Mount Abu roosting

Flying foxes of Mount Abu roosting

A Flying Fox of Mount Abu electrocuted on high-tension wires.

We Abuites have been living with nature for aeons, the flying foxes have been here and will always be here, living a life of peace and harmony.

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.

Mount Abu Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo Mount Abu

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Today, the team from Mayo College Ajmer played against the Abu team for the coveted Maharao Sirohi Polo Trophy. I watched the match till the time both teams had scored a goal Tourists and the public were all there to witness the match. The area around polo Grounds was humming with clusters of people from all walks of life. The periphery around the ground was crowded; throngs of tourists and residents were all over the place. They did not spare even trees and rooftops. The army band “The Sikh Regiment” with their special Bagpiper squad in their colourful attire was there to support the polo players.

My hats off to the organizing committee. They have done a superb job of pulling off this third anniversary for the revival of polo in Abu.

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Second Day's Excitement Trevo's Oval Polo

Mount Abu" The Doggy Show That Went Down"

Abu gearing up for a dog show 

Anticipating the Abu Dog Show: A Bittersweet Twist

I was over the moon when a dear friend told me about an upcoming dog show in early May. His Highness of Sirohi was sponsoring the event, and my good friend, Thakur Devi Singh of Bera, was to be one of the chief judges. It promised to be an exciting gathering of dog enthusiasts, and I was eager to see it unfold.

 But imagine my disappointment when Mr Singh called me today with unfortunate news—the show had been called off because of a lack of entries. I couldn’t resist a joke, suggesting he should have invited my brother-in-law, a man whose love for dogs is legendary here in Abu. With five pedigree dogs indoors and eleven mongrels roaming his compound, he once had over seventeen dogs, nevertheless, the numbers have dwindled as some fell prey to Abu’s stealthiest predator, the panther.

 For the few of us dog lovers in Mount Abu, this event was something we had been looking forward to. It would have not solely been a delightful experience but also a great opportunity to put Abu on the map for something more than its natural beauty. It’s such a perfect setting for a dog show, with its cool, crisp air and scenic views.

 My own Basset Hound is reluctant to get into vehicles, and waits every morning for our routine walk to St. Mary’s High School and back—a jaunt she never tyres of. So, despite the show being postponed, I am still holding on to hope. After all, who knows? October could be the ideal time to reschedule, with tourists flocking to Abu and the weather turning even more agreeable. It might just be the perfect setting for a new beginning.