• 983 years old Dilwara five Jain temple complex is dedicated to 24 Tirthankar (enlightened souls) and 16 Vidya Devis.

• Ambika Devi – Kuldevi of Vimal Shah appeared in his dream and conveyed the message to build a temple in Delwara.

• Rs. 4,53,60,000 was the cost of land purchased by Vimal Shah to build the temple.

• The first temple construction cost was 18 crores 53 lacs.

• The second temple construction cost was 12 Crores 59 lacs.

• 1500 artisans and 1200 labours worked for 25 years to complete this temple complex.

• During temple construction, artisans and laborers were given gold per day as equal to the dust of marble submitted. More marble dust, more gold in return. And this policy made the carvings more artistic.

• There are also 52 small temples inside. If you stand in front of any temple, you will find four temples around you.

• 994 A.D. Adinath idol was discovered here only under the Champa tree.

• 108 mann (40 kg = 1 mann) Adinath idol is installed.

• Shri Neminath is known as the brother of Lord Krishna. At Shri Neminath Ji temple one can watch Dwarka along with the Gomti river beautifully displayed via carvings.

• Whenever there is any renovation, it is mentioned. The last renovation was done about 50 years back during Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru‘s time.

• Delwara temple is taken care of by Jain trust only.

• Delwara Temple is open for tourists from 12 noon – 6 pm only.

Note: Camera, Mobile is not allowed inside the temple complex. One has to deposit at a counter.

Delwara temples for sure are rich in heritage with amazing carvings and one should visit at least once.

The above summary of Delwara Jain temple history is shared by a local authorized guide (I forgot his name) we hired from Tourist Reception Centre in Mount Abu. He is 58 years old and originally from Jamnagar (Gujarat). Upon arrival at Mout Abu during his job days, he decided to stay here forever. He was an accountant earlier but since 1985 he is an authorized local guide of the tourist department. As per him, he is the only guide authorized to enter the temple areas along with tourists.

Thank you guide for the narration. Thanks again.

As per the display board plantation date of the Jackfruit tree is Vikram Samwat 1796 ie., 1740.

Note: Currently Vikram Samvat 2070-71 is going on for the year 2014.

Gaumukh Vashistha Ashram is a 5,500-year-old pilgrimage situated at a height of 1206 meters or 3,910 feet above sea level at Mount Abu (Rajasthan). The holy river Saraswati also known as Gaumukhi Ganga is flowing at this location.

We started our journey from Mount Abu town at 1 p.m. by hired jeep and reached Gaumukh within 15 minutes. There are approx. 750 steps downwards to visit Vashishtha Ashram. 15 minutes was approx. time for us to reach the ashram. All around the stairs are jungle and many mango trees. It is advisable to visit the ashram before the late evening because of the presence of wild animals in the area. While returning 30 minutes were the time taken by us to reach the top from where we started the journey. A must-visit place.

The guide enhanced my knowledge.

He said – approx. 5 km from Vashistha Ashram is Vyas Rishi ashram and a further few km is Gautam Rishi ashram.

The last time when I was at Mount Abu, I did Trevor’s Tank nature trail with a guide via Valley of Death Point and finally reached Mini Nakki Lake. This time I was passing via Dilwara Road and my knowledge was enhanced by the guide.

He said the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary area is 325 sq. km and there are 79 water bodies. Mini Nakki Lake is one of them.

Thank you – said I.

Click to learn more about Nakki Lake.

Toad Rock is near Nakki Lake. One has to climb approx. 300 steps to reach. At 100 steps on the left-hand side is ‘Champa Cave’ where Swami Vivekananda meditated for some weeks from April 1891.

A good view of Nakki Lake and Mount Abu can be seen from Toad Rock.

Green Munia: 1875 First Spotted in Mount Abu – This photo was taken at Oriya in Mount Abu (Rajasthan).

Colonel E.A. Butler in the year 1875 first spotted Green Munia in Mount Abu (Rajasthan).