Mount Abu THE ELUSIVE CROCODILE

A Crocodile, in the placid Nakki Lake, has been making headlines in the local news of Mount Abu, It’s been sometime now that one of the world’s greatest predators should have made it’s way into the lake which is the hub of tourist attraction .Boating had come to a grinding halt as physiologically the tourist populaces have a morbid fear of this wily predator. The local authorities had been working around the clock to ensnare this crocodile but were not able to lure this sleek crock into their iron cage or their nets spread out along the banks of the lake. Crocks were introduced into Abu some years ago after this beautiful hill station was declared a sanctuary in the early sixties. Crocks were put into Trevor’s tank some years ago, probably as a tourist attraction, or who can tell as an experiment to see how well they adapted to this terrain. This crock I believe had made its way from a shallow lake near Palace Hotel called “Sant Sarovar”. The monsoons this year were way out, Abuites were really thankful to the rain gods for the respite that followed after the harrowing non-stop downpour for almost 20 to 25 days, the streams that were bone dry, are now alive with tiddlers and crabs. There’s speculation as to whether this crock will ever be netted, the special teams that were sent from one or two other places in Rajasthan left behind their iron cage and equipment and departed. The crock is having a ball of a time, a lake full of fish and now and again a goose or a duck that inhabit the lake that are fattened by the tourists.Now that the hullabaloo has finally died down life around the lake has resumed it’s normal routine. There’s speculation as to where this crock has disappeared, I visited the lake umpteen time early mornings noon and late in the evening to snap this elusive guy but did see hair no hide of him. He’s probably shacked out in the undergrowth surrounding the property of his Highness of Jodhpur (The Lake Palace). If and when he does re-appear I’ll let you folks know of it. I did take some wonderful photos of the lake and of Abu in general and have posted them on my web site http://ainsleyster.googlepages.com/home

"Paddy's Bridge" Mount Abu

Old “Paddy’s Bridge”. On a road that has St.Mary’s at the other end

 Old “Paddy’s Bridge”

“Around the corner lies Old “Paddy’s Bridge”. On a road that has St.Mary’s at the other end
Do not stand at my bridge and Gape. I’m there, as I’ve always been.

I’m a study bridge and have always been, I’m the memory of a thousand boys,

I’m an inspiration to all who have traversed over me to the gates of St.Mary’s,

I’m remembered every monsoon season with awe and thrill, I inspire the boys

An awakening that awakens when the monsoon waters have their fill

Do not stand and gape at me, there will be changes, I may not be there,

I’ll live on in the hearts of all the boys, who have lovingly looked down at me.

Paddy’s Bridge has been in the local news this last whole week, On the 19thSaturday,2006 the bridge was in spate and the boys had to hoof it over the hill to the new check post to avoid being washed away by the overflow from the dam and the incessant rain. Never in the history of St.Mary’s have the day scholars had so many non-instructional working days as they have had this year? The local authorities banned the local day scholars from using the road as it posed a great hazard to the student’s life. The local authorities finally swung into action on the 25th by putting up temporary barricades on either side of Paddy’s bridge and putting some meshing on the sides of the bridge. It looks like the ban on four-wheelers and heavy traffic will continue to be in force as long as it is raining heavily. Regular school commenced on the 25th of August, 2006.

Mount Abu The Grand Finales of Polo played in"TREVOR'S OVAL" Abu 15thApril 2006

The revival of Polo Mount Abu

Spectators and tourists from all corners of Abu gathered at Trevor's OVAL for the polo match Grand Finale. I’m posting some photographs taken by me of this last lap. Happy viewing.

Grand Finale of the polo match

Grand Finale of the polo match

Grand Finale of the polo match

Mount Abu POLO AFTER 75 YEARS

Mount Abu POLO AFTER 75 YEARS

I took A few snapshots on day two  12th March 2006 of the polo match played on "Trevor's OVAL" Polo Grounds Mount Abu.

POLO AFTER 75 YEARS

Mount Abu Polo Grounds

Revival of Polo after a lapse of 75 years

Revival of Polo after a lapse of 75 years

Revival of Polo after a lapse of 75 years

Rider and horse in unison

"MOUNT ABU" THE ABODE OF THE GOD'S

THE ABODE Of GODS
MOUNT ABU 

MY HOMETOWN

Mount Abu The Abode of Gods

Welcome to the oasis of Rajasthan. The birthplace of the God of the Rajputs.A heavenly place still with most of its virgin origins. It is located on the oldest hills of the world, in the Aravalli Range Mountains. It’s about 30 km from Abu Road the closest railway station, and it’s connected by road to the National Highway No8. The drive up the hill is about 45 minutes. Mount Abu (Ar-Booda, “the hill of wisdom”) (240 36’ N, 720 45’ E) in the Sirohi District of Rajasthan is the only hill station of the state situated at an average height of1,219 m in the Abu Hills. The scenic landscape includes gigantic lava rocks in weird shapes, an array of coniferous trees, wild date palm trees, flowering shrubs and lovely little streamlets that come alive during the monsoon period. The summer months are the gateway to a large number of tourists who flood this small hill station in the hope of getting away from the burning plains. Abu does provide a respite to the tourists from the heat, especially in the summers. The Monsoons season in Abu is wonderful; it’s at this time of the year that the hillside comes alive, lush green lantanas, grasses, mosses on the volcanic rock, an influx of a huge variety of local and migratory birds, gurgling streams, and the descending clouds makes one feel he’s living in the Abode of the God. The hills and the valleys are a sight to behold they look like huge green carpets laid out, tourists ascending the hill feel they are witnessing an illusion after their travel through the steaming Rajasthan desert.