Mount Abu Vasundhara Raje Scindia

Vasundhara Raje Scindia is synonymous with Rajasthan she’s now an integral part of the princely state of Rajasthan; born into the royal family of the Scindia it’s befitting that she is the Chief Minister of this austere state of her forefathers’. Her sudden and unpredictable visit caught the authorities with their guard down. Abu overnight was given a tremendous facelift, potholes in the road disappeared, the surrounding areas were spick and span there was a flurry of activity all over, trees bases were whitewashed the roadside demarked with white and pink chunna enhancing the whole countryside.
The army had prepared the helipad at their base, she arrived just before the finals of the Maharao Sirohi Pole Match. Her motorcade to the Trevor pavilion was marked with pomp and show by her co-party workers the BJP. She did not waste any time, without much flair and ado she flagged off the polo match.
The crowning glory was her speech to the Abuites. In her speech, she dispelled all doubts that had given this place a graven look. The embargo on the sale and purchase of land in Mount Abu that had been placed by the Rajasthan Government was finally lifted, and the exclusion of the town of Mount Abu from under the sanctuary umbrella sent cheers of applauds throughout the audience its vibrations also reflected in the state of Gujarat, as many Gujarati’s own land in Abu. What cheered me most was her wonderful decision to see that the Nakki Lake was given immediate attention also her wise decisions declared in today’s राजस्थान पत्रिका.
I had previously aired my personal grievances on Nov 13, 2006, against the town of Abu falling under the authority of sanctuary laws. My personal reflections are reflected in my article for the Times of India and in my Google website. Click on the link to see the page.
http://ainsleyster.googlepages.com/mountingtrouble

Mount Abu — The Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup (April 17, 2008)

The Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup

Trevor’s Oval  Mount Abu

Chief guest, Vasundhara Raje, then Chief Minister of Rajasthan,

Both teams stand ready for the flag off.

Vasundhara Raje set the match in motion—tossing the ball into play

Mount Abu "Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup"

There is an old, mischievous tale from Scotland—that a game once christened “Gentlemen Only…Ladies Forbidden” gave birth to the word golf. Regardless of whether it’s true or a legend, it highlights that social class, heritage, and gradual evolution have consistently influenced sports. Polo, however, needs no such embellishment. It arrives with thunder—hooves striking earth, mallets slicing air, and history riding hard across open ground.

 On the crisp afternoon of April 17, 2008, the storied grounds of Trevor’s Oval in Mount Abu came alive once more. The final of the Maharao Sirohi Polo Cup drew an eager crowd, their anticipation humming beneath a clear sky. Presiding over the occasion was Vasundhara Raje, then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, whose presence lent the event both ceremony and stature.

 After the formal introductions, she stepped forward and set the match in motion—tossing the ball into play with a gesture both simple and symbolic. In that instant, the pageantry dissolved into pure sport. By the time she returned to the pavilion, the game had already found its rhythm: swift, sharp, and unrelenting.

 The crowd responded in kind. Each gallop drew a murmur, each strike a rising cheer. When the first goal happened, applause swept across the oval—spontaneous, united, and infectious. The junior riders, poised and fearless, displayed a mastery beyond their years. Horse and rider moved as one, cutting across the field with precision and grace.

 In the end, it was the formidable Umed Bhavan Palace Polo Team that claimed the coveted trophy, defeating the spirited Mayo College team six goals to three. Yet the scoreline tells only part of the story. The Mayo boys from Ajmer played with heart and discipline, earning both respect and admiration for their fair play.

 As the sun dipped and shadows lengthened across the ground, the echoes of the match lingered—hoofbeats, cheers, and the quiet pride of a game well played. In that fleeting evening light, Trevor’s Oval felt less like a field and more like a living relic of a bygone era, where tradition still breathes, and the spirit of polo endures.

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 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  Sandstorm, Hailstones & freezing rain

The sandstorm caught all Abuites off guard; it originated from the West at around 2:30 p.m. It reminded me of the setting of some horror movie. The powerful wind and the flying debris of leaves and litter heralded in the sandstorm on Friday, the 4th of April. The sky took on an orange hue and one could see the colossal dust cloud approaching; within minutes, the place gradually darkened. It looked like the end of the world was near. I ran out with my camera and with my back to the sandstorm took a small video of the eastern horizon, as can be seen from the video, the light filtering in between the valley soon got gradually extinguished as the dust engulfed everything in its path.
At the peak of the storm it began to thunder, there was lightning and then the heavens opened up and showered the place with hailstones. This was followed by freezing rain and a drastic fall in the temperature. Abu does have its share of sandstorms once in a way but this was exceptional. I wonder if this is the harbinger of global warming.