Holidays and weekends Mount Abu

Weekends and holidays in Mount Abu are ideal for taking in the natural beauty.

Mohan and I can't wait to go birdwatching in the peaceful countryside of Mount Abu. We have certain spots, such as the peaceful duck pond in the gorgeous Orea region, the towering Gurushikar, and the spotless Gaumukh. Today, we decided to explore the environment more by hiking through a woodland trail. We had a wonderful experience encountering the local birds.

We were treated to the beautiful sight of various native bird species as we went through the verdant forest. Our winter visitors included the brilliant Red-vented Bulbul, the spectacular Indian Robin, the singing Coppersmith Barbet, the fragile Purple Sunbird, the attractive Indian Silverbill, and the beautiful Black Redstart. The beautiful Flame of the Forest trees captivated us (scientifically known as Butea monospermy).

Butea monospermy Flame of the forest 

On this special day, Maha Shivaratri, I couldn't help but think of the Flame of the Forest tree's deep cultural and spiritual importance. It is regarded as sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists. These trees are regarded as holy by Hindus owing to the tri-foliate shape of their leaves, which represents the Holy Trinity. The centre leaf depicts Vishnu, the Preserver, with Brahma, the Creator, on the left and Siva, the Destroyer, on the right. For us, the tree represents Agni, the beloved "God of Fire." They primarily offer the blossoms of these plants in Lord Shiva worship, notably on the auspicious day of Shivratri.

The Flame of the Forest tree has numerous cultural links in different parts of India. They closely associated it with the start of spring in West Bengal and the vibrant Holi celebration in Rajasthan. On this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri, we send our heartfelt greetings from the glorious home of the gods to all, encouraging you to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of nature, culture, and spirituality that Mount Abu has to offer. May it fill your day with serenity, pleasure, and a strong connection to the natural world. Maha Shivaratri greetings!

A warm welcome to our C.M Smt. Vasundhara Raje. Mount Abu.

Smt. Vasundhara Raje's visit is a blessing in disguise.

Smt.Vasundhara Raje visiting Mount Abu.

While in Rajasthan Be a Rajasthani!

This is going to be another visit by Smt. Vasundhara Raje to the Abode, Abuites rejoice every time official dignitaries visit this minute hill station as it becomes a blessing in disguise. I will not elaborate on the blessings as they take place all over our country. To read more on our honourable Chief Minister, read my prior post. 

The Hill are calling and I must complete the Race Mount Abu.

Results of the Half Marathon Mount Abu.

The Hills are a calling and I must run.

Results sent per kind favour of my Brother-in-law Jimmy Vania.

Congratulations to the Winners and to all the Participants from Mount Abu

List of Women Winners

1st Place: Arpita Saini From U.P

Time: 1Hr 45 Min 12 Seconds

2nd Place: Etaferhu Dubale From Ethiopia

Time: 1 Hr 46 Min 32 Sec

3rd Place: Seema Singh  From Delhi

Time: 1 Hr 49 min 10 sec

4th Place: Madhu Chahal From Haryana

List of Men Winners

1st Place: Vishnu Nandan Rathor From Rajgarh M.P

Time: 1 Hr 22 Min 10 Seconds

2nd Place: Simon From Kenya

Time: 1 Hr 23 Min 47 Sec

3 rd Place: Jasvinder Singh From Ranikhet Uttarakhand

Time: 1 Hr 24 min 04 sec

4th Place: Binyam Gets Melgiste From Ethiopia

Will be updating the results as and when they come in bear with me.
Just received these pictures via my WhatsApp Kind favour Jimmy.

1st Place: Arpita Saini From U.P | 2nd Place: Etaferhu Dubale From Ethiopia | 

3rd Place: Seema Singh  From Delhi

1st Place: Vishnu Nandan Rathor From Rajgarh M.P | 2nd Place: Simon From Kenya | 

3 rd Place: Jasvinder Singh From Ranikhet Uttarakhand

The finish Gateway a Misty Mount Abu.

This marathon must have been an immense challenge for first-time participants. I can imagine running a cross-country marathon, but an uphill one must have been especially tough, even for experienced runners. I’m sure this event has received a warm reception from the people of Abu, and they are excited to see it become part of the annual festivities. Its popularity is likely to grow, attracting not only elite marathon runners but also tourists from around the world to witness this yearly event. Hopefully, next year, we’ll see even more participants joining in this sport.

Before I conclude, I want to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the local administration, the people of Abu, and especially “The Brahma Kumaris” for initiating and organizing this annual event.

Happy New Year 2018 From Mount Abu.

Happy New Year 2018 From Mount Abu.

Moon on New Years Eve.

WELCOME TO MOUNT ABU THE ABODE OF GODS.

BREAKING NEWS FOREST FIRE IN MANY AREA MOUNT ABU

I just received a call from Abu and a few messages on my Whatsapp.

"MOUNT ABU IS BURNING, FIRE HAS SPRUNG UP SUDDENLY IN QUITE A FEW PLACES"

I'm at the moment in Gujarat and have tried to glean as much as I can about the situation back home.

All services the army, the fire brigades, volunteers and even helicopters have been pressed into trying to contain the blazing fires, 

Mount Abu by itself is ill-equipped to fight any major forest fire IF THE FIRE GOD FORBID IS FANNED BY STRONG WINDS It's GOING TO BE A MAJOR DISASTER FOR THE ABODE OF THE GODS.

WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED.

Received a video clip via my WhatsApp have a look  click

FIRE FIRE -ABU BURNING 

 Receiving the latest pictures have a look 

Taking water from Nikki per kind favour Roxy

This is the first time in the history of Mount Abu that helicopters 

have been deployed to fight forest fires in the abode.

Army pressed into service per kind favour Harry

Fire blazing in the background on the other side of the lake

 per kind favour Harry

Fire en route Abu Road per kind favour Jaswant.

I just phoned Abu to get the latest on the situation. I was told the helicopters had to be grounded as they have run out of fuel. The fire West of Abu the Honeymoon point region is raging and I was told that a strong wind has sprung up the very thing I feared the most. If the fire goes out of control, it will be bad for the reserved part of the sanctuary. I truly hope the fire dies down before it reaches the sanctuary.
Will keep all updated as and when I receive the news from Abu

The hills are on fire per kind favour  Mike

Morning the situation is grim all night personnel have been battling the fires on different areas of Abu. The fire department had to send their team to the foot of Abu en route to try to contain the fire that was spreading in that area. The big concern for the authorities is to try to prevent the fire from reaching the Trevor Tank sanctuary area.
Logically for fires to erupt in so many areas and at the same time seems the work of arsonists. Mount Abu has had its shares of fire over the years in the peak summer season, but not on such a scale and not in so many places at the same time

In today's newspaper  Click Times of India
Massive fire breaks out in Abu

I spoke to a colleague of mine at 5:30 pm this evening. He said that he was at sunset point with volunteers who are trying to contain the fire spreading in that area. The fire which was raging around Honeymoon point and beyond has slackened, but he voiced his concern about the raging fire that is spreading in the area between Chipperbury and Aarna village, helicopters are pressed into this area to try and contain the spreading inferno this area has a lot of bamboos groves and the bamboos being semi-dry are very hard to put out.
I bleed for the destruction that the wildlife in this area has been subjected to, this area is home to a lot of languor monkeys, spurfowl, wild jungle fowls, and peacocks.

HARRY JUST PHONED ME AND REPORTED THAT ALL TRAFFIC HAS BEEN HALTED AT THE BASE OF ABU AT TALATI. He stated that no traffic is plying between Mount Abu and Abu Road as the forest fire has spread engulfing some area of the road. The firefighter is just trying to contain the fire so normalcy can be returned to traffic to and fro. Harry has been at Talati since 9 pm.

All traffic suspended between Abu And Abu Road awaiting clearance from the authorities when it's safe to do so.

THREE CHEERS TRAFIC HAS BEEN RESUMED HAPPY WEEKEND TO ALL 3 MINUTES AGO
IIT'S EASTER SUNDAY WISHING ALL A VERY PEACEFUL EASTER

Fire en route Abu Road per kind favour Harnam late last night after 

traffic resumed.

I received a call late last night and was informed that a high-level meeting was held by all concerned government officials and that it was decided to hold the operation till dawn as it was too risky for the firefighting team to enter the dense jungle.

Click to view news for today's paper
Times News 

Just got a phone call from one of the team members deputed to the Aarna area.He said to me that the fire in that area was out of control all efforts to contain it using firefighters, helicopters, army personnel, the reserve police and the local forest department have failed to contain it. The raging fire fanned by the wind in a southwest direction will probably reach the dense forest area towards Golden Horn.
Pray this does not happen as it will be catastrophic for this part of Abu.
Will keep posting as soon as I receive updates

World Health Day Mount Abu

World Health Day

Depression, let's discuss; All you need to know about the debilitating disorder

In India, there are many myths around depression. Quite often, in rural areas

Soothsayers, in extreme cases tantric etc are called upon to find a solution for this depressed and unfortunate individual.

It's a mental health issue and as with most issues is dismissed as something that can be overcome by the individual themselves.

Awareness should be the order of the day. Mount Abu on this occasion has sent out an invitation so Abuites please do find time to attend this meet.

Mount Abu freezes at -2

                    Greeting from the Abode

Most of last week the night temperature hovered round zero, yesterday it went to -1 and this morning it hit -2. If anyone heading this way carry your woolies. 

Temp this morning

The latest News from The Abode Abu

The latest News from The Abode Abu

The season's first frost Mount Abu

This morning the fields and open stretches around the house were all frosted. Winter has finally arrived in the Abode.

Art for other's sake.
"Art isn't art unless it creates ripples and contributes to humankind in some way or another," says Dr. Sharma.

New bus service to Abu from Jaipur
The Rajasthan transport corporation was planning to come up with the service since a long time. The bus going to Mount Abu would travel via Ajmer and Sirohi. It would depart from Jaipur at 6.30 pm and at 8 pm from Mount Abu. Fare of the bus is Rs 760. 

Mrs. Theresa Tiwari

The farewell party hosted for Theresa was held at Mowgli Van. Mrs. Tiwari has handed in her resignation after serving in the school for 25 years. She is an amazing teacher and a very able administrator loved by all the students. She will be missed by one and all.

Some snaps of the farewell

It's OK 

The Ladies of St.Mary's 

The parting is reflecting 

That's it 

Jennifer’s doggy BUDDY 

A passing shot