Some Random snaps and expressions on Mount Abu

Nakki Lake

Oh, Great lake what have we done

Your precious gift so freely spun

Your placid blue face now turned to green

Humanity has no love for thee.

Spare our precious Lake our gracious visitors

See the debris floating on thee

Dumped by indifferent folks using thee

Our beautiful, unique and vital source

Our drinking water supplied by thee

Tourists, visitors and our own  Abuites if you are reading this blog post of mine I simply make an appeal to you to please treat our vital, emergency drinking water source as a top priority  and not dump your junk into our precious lake. This lake provides habitats to a variety of species, drinking water in emergency to the town of Abu, serenity and expression to lovers and dreamers. We Abuites would appreciate it if you folks would give a helping hand by not dumping your waste valuables into our charming lake.

Water snake basking in the winter sun

Sunbird at the lake

White throated kingfisher

Grey Heron

Cormorant our winter visitors

Dragon fly

Basking early morning

Robin

Modern Dinosaur

Suspended moon early morning 

Mount Abu - "Paris in Abu"

Whose idea was it to put up the mini (I presume it’s the replica of the) Eiffel tower. What significant role does it play regarding Abu? The tower was built by Eiffel to celebrate the Centennial of the Revolution of 1789. France has always been the leading nation for revolution, new ideas the Renaissance of the western world. Yea it sure symbolizes France and is a huge tourist attraction there, but here?? Well I’m sure it would appease the French tourists visiting here or would it? Believe me they are real sticklers for perfection, I know I was there, open your mouth and speak to them in English in their own country they’ll ignore you like the plague. I’m sure the authorities could have come up with more innovative and brilliant ideas to represent this unique place of ours. Any way what can we Abuites say! The denoting party probably had a lot of spare material lying around and hence the birth and construction of the mini Eiffel tower came into effect. I’ve just taken a few snaps of the Paris that is being constructed on the main gateway to the Abu town. Will keep you posted as developments progress.
Today Abu is gearing up for the finals of the polo match being played on the Trevor’s Oval. The Two finalists playing today are the team from Umaid Bhavan palace and Mayo College boys. The closing ceremony will be graced by the chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia.

Mount Abu The King of Games Polo

Experience the Pavilion's Glorious Heritage: Uncovering the Legend Behind the Hallowed Ground

The Pavilion as depicted on an ancient postcard

Travel back in time with an old postcard that reveals the Pavilion's everlasting splendour. This historical gem, once known as Trevor's Oval, was a tribute to polo's grandeur, mirroring the history of colonial days. The grounds, filled with history, saw the best horses and showcased the talents of past Maharajas and the British elite.

The ghosts of the past persisted until 1932, when the fierce game of polo came to an abrupt halt, leaving an unexplained hole that history has yet to fill. My own memories from the early 1960s, on the other hand, provide a vivid image. As a young observer, I was awestruck by the passing out March parade of Indian Police Service cadets. The flawless horse manoeuvres and incredible horse-riding prowess never failed to fascinate those in attendance.

The horsemen's peg-sticking prowess was nothing short of incredible, displaying an unrivalled mix of agility and precision. The distinguished presence of Presidents and Vice Presidents as respected Chief Guests enhanced the ambience of this sacred land.

However, with the move of the Training Academy, the previously immaculately maintained grounds began to deteriorate. Rainwater caused areas of soggy soil, changing the once-holy ground into an overgrown, dismal expanse.

They repurposed the site for the summer festival in an effort to revitalise its role. Tents dotted the immaculate field, housing stores and makeshift amusement parks. The Air Force, as if mirroring the winds of change, now uses the site for helicopter landings, a dramatic shift from its polo-filled past.

However, a ray of optimism appears on the horizon. With the start of the "Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup" on April 10, 2008, there was a wave of thankfulness among Abu residents. This event commemorates the return of polo, paying homage to the Polo Oval's past and legacy. As Abuites, we extend a warm welcome to all guests, encouraging them to join us in the delightful spectacle of the upcoming matches.

With its rich history and renewed energy, the Pavilion serves as a tribute to the enduring heritage of the past and the optimistic resuscitation of a beloved athletic institution.