Changapo – Traditional Game also Known as ‘Thaayam’ – This photo was taken at the Mount Abu bus stand in Rajasthan.

Upon the query, knowledge was enhanced by a gentleman.

He said the name of the game is ‘Changapo.’ A minimum of two, and a maximum four-person can play the game.

Baba Gadi is a good option to travel within the town area and market area, or it can be hired to visit Honeymoon Point and Sunset Point. Four people can sit comfortably inside Baba Gadi.

Once I hired Baba Gadi as my mother was unable to walk due to old age. Rs. 20 I paid for half a km distance. Bargain the mantra. Mostly Baba Gadi is parked outside the Chacha Museum.

Shri Arbuda Devi ji is worshiped as the presiding deity of Mount Abu. This temple is mentioned in Prabhas Khand of Skanda Mahapuran composed by Ved Vyas. Mataji Arbuda Devi is seated here in the form of Katyani in Nava Durga. This temple is about 5500 years old, in which Mataji’s place is in a huge natural cave. Another name for Arbuda Devi is Adhardevi. Adhar refers to the lips. This is also one of the 52 Shaktipeeths of the Goddess. Mataji’s Adhar (lips) is important at this place, due to which it is also famous as Adhardevi.

Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month is the main day of Mataji. A fair is held here on Navratri and Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha every month. Adhar Devi is worshiped as Kuldevi of Parmar, Panwar, Ajna Chaudhary, and many other Gotras.

“Hanumanji” and “Ganeshji” are seated at the entrance of the temple. Next is the darshan of Mataji’s “Akhand Dhooni (eternal flame)” and natural “Amrit Kund (nectar reservoir)”. At the second natural gate, Mataji’s gatekeeper “Bhairav ji” is sitting. After that bowing down at the door of the cave and going inside, one gets a darshan (glimpse) of Mataji. The ancient temple of Nilakantha Mahadev is situated outside Mataji’s cave.

Click to learn more about Arbuda Devi (Adhar Devi) Temple.

Devas and Asuras churn the ocean to receive heavenly nectar of immortality. During the process out of fourteen received treasures/gems sixth gem was Parijat tree – Kalpavriksha.

• 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.