Dattatreya Temple (Guru Shikhar) – The Sixth Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

• • Rajasthan, Sirohi • Tags:
Dattatreya Temple (Guru Shikhar) – The Sixth Incarnation of Lord Vishnu

Mount Abu tour I, along with my mother, visited Guru Shikhar (Aravalli range) – a height of 5,653 feet approx. from sea level, 15 km from Mount Abu. Sixty-plus steps we reached Dattatreya Temple (Guru Shikhar) inside a natural cave and had talks with Suraj Prakash Giri Ji. Upon the request, he narrated The History of Dattatreya Temple as follows:

A natural cave where Dattatreya Bhagwan meditated and obtained the seat of a Guru during Satya Yuga. Since then, it is said guru-shishya (Guru and disciple) tradition started, and thus the reason this mountain is known as Guru Shikhar. Dattatreya Bhagwan is the first Guru of Sages and Devta.

Inside the natural cave is Akhand Dhuni (eternal holy flame), performed by Dattatreya himself, and is burning for 24 hours. Dattatreya Bhagwan took bhasma (sacred ash) from this very eternal flame, and Bhashmeshwar Mahadev was installed. Daily early morning hours at 4 am, havan (matchstick is never used) is organized to offer 108 ahuti (offerings).

If you climb more steps approx. 165 you will reach another temple to have a glimpse of Dattatreya Bhagwan’s feet. Dattatreya Bhagwan was the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the son of Sage Atri and Ansuya Mata.

For your information: Aravalli is the youngest son of Himalaya. It is said Aravalli arrived with Arbudanath – a snake, which is why Aravalli is also known as Arbuda Parvat.

Dattatreya Jayanti is celebrated each year in the month of November.

There are three buses from Mount Abu Bus Depot reaching Guru Shikhar at 3:00, 4:30, and 5:00 pm

Fifty minutes approx. was our journey time as we reached Guru Shikhar via a hired two-wheeler.

Shri Adeshwar Jain Temple – 550 Years Old Temple

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Shri Adeshwar Jain Temple – 550 Years Old Temple

I was talking about Achalgarh. Knowledge was enhanced by a makeshift stall owner near Shri Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple. Shri Adeshwar Jain Temple and Gopichand ki Gufa (cave) on top of the mountain a must-visit places. Thank you said I and on the way towards Jain temple as well as Cave.

Here I would like to guide you on the way to the Jain temple, as well as the cave is next to Achaleshwar Mahadev temple. If you have a two-wheeler, you can drive up to the Jain temple, especially if you are with older people. A steep slope may be tiring to walk for a few. Once the slope is finished 250 steps to reach the temple.

Shoes were removed hands were washed as we entered the temple area. The Temple Office is at the entrance gate if you want to visit. After climbing a few steps, we meet Bhola Ram, Mohanlal, and Moti Singh Ji. Upon query, they in short narrated The History and Festival at Shri Adeshwar Jain temple.

550 years old temple built by Dhanasa Seth Mahamantri of Maharana Kumbha. He also built the temple of Ranakpur. In total, there are fourteen idols weighing 1444 man (40kg = 1 man) made with Gold and Panch Dhatu. Nine idols on one floor and four idols on another floor. Shri Adeshwar Bhagwan, Shri Shantinath Bhagwan, and Shri Parasnath Bhagwan few names of Bhagwan.

Fagan (fagun) Sud Dasam 5 days before the Holi Festival.

Yes, there is a Dharamshala for devotees to stay. Rs. 200 per night, the charge, I was told by the office.

As I was hungry, I questioned whether food was available or not. Yes was the reply. Rs. 35 per thali. Two thali, please. And we walked towards Bhojanshala, and it is important to mention Food was excellent, and if you are visiting Mount Abu, if possible, visit Achalgarh to visit the Shri Adeshwar Jain temple. Thank you.

History of Lake and Temples in Mount Abu

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History of Lake and Temples in Mount Abu

During the tour of Mount Abu, near each tourist location, I read display boards narrating the History of the Lake and Temples in Mount Abu. Thanks to Rajasthan Tourism. Though it was written in Hindi, I am trying my best to translate it into English as a summary:

It is believed this lake was dug by God with nails, thus the reason it is named Nakki Lake. Besides the Himalayas, it is the only natural lake situated at a height of 1200 meters above sea level in India. Each year, Vaisakh Purnima (Buddha Purnima), nearby Tribesmen visit Nakki Lake for the holy bath. Nearby is the Raghunath Ji temple.

  • Gaumukh Vashistha-Ashram

As per scriptures, it is known that Lord Shree Ram and his brothers had Yog education at this Ashram of Arbudaanchal by Guru Vashistha. At Vashishtha ashram Saraswati river is flowing via Gaumukh.

  • Arbuda Devi (Adhar Devi) Temple

Arbuda Devi temple is mentioned within the Skanda Mahapurana, written by Ved Vyaas. Goddess Arbuda is here as Katyayani, the sixth form of Navadurga. The temple is approx. 5,500 years old. The temple is one of the Shakti Peeths out of 52. Arbuda Devi is also known as Adhar Devi.

  • Achalgarh

Achalaleshwar Mahadev temple, Jain temple, and Gopichand ki Gufa (cave) one should visit at Achalgarh. Achalaleshwar Mahadev temple is one of the oldest temples of Mount Abu. Lord Shiva‘s great toe is worshiped at this temple.

History of Trevor’s Tank – Constructed in 1897

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History of Trevor’s Tank – Constructed in 1897
  • Trevor’s Tank was constructed in the year 1897 by Maharaja Shri Kesari Singh Ji Bahadur of Sirohi State in memory of the late Colonel G. H. Trevors (The agent to the Governor-General of India from 1890-1895 at Rajputana).
  • At that time, the cost of the reservoir was 34,675 rupees.
  • In the year 1932, Maharaja Shri Swaroop Singh Ji Sirohi constructed Swaroop Rest House at the northern end of the reservoir.
  • This place is ideal for bird watching as 112 species of birds are found here.
  • Mount Abu is a location for rare species, and one of them is a wild rose.

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