INTRODUCTION

Mount Abu is located in the South-western corner of Rajasthan and is Rajsthan's only hill station. It is also a major pilgrim centre. The Aravalli range that cuts across Rajasthan reaches its greatest height at the guru Shikar. Interestingly, not many people are aware that this is also the highest point between the Nilgris in the south and the Himalaya range up North. The origin of Mount-Abu goes back several centuries. The Padam Puran relates the story of how this holy city came into existence. Once Nandini, the cow belonging to the venerable sage Vashishtha, was trapped in a deep chawn appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance, Saraswati, the divine stream, flooded the pit and the cow floated up. once his cow way free, Vashishtha approached the great Himalaya and asked him to fill the gorge permanently to avoid further mishaps. The youngest son of Himalaya, with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake filled the chasm. The place came to be called Mount Arbud and was later reduced to its present name.

For those keen to learn more about the history of Rajasthan it will be interesting to note that this place was also the site for one of the most sacred rites - a Yagya. This was performed by the same sage Vashishtha for the purification of the ancient fighting caste, the Kshtriyas. From this mystical fire rose mighty Rajputs who later dominated the history of Rajasthan.