Temples in Mountabu
Dilwara Jain Temples
There are five magnificent temples here. The Adinatha Temple (Vimala Vasahi) and Neminatha Temple (Luna Vasahi) are the most notable. The Adinath Temple was built in the 11th century (1031) by Vimala Shah, a minister of the Solanki king, Bhima I. It is dedicated to the first Jain tithankar, Adinatha. It is said to have cost 180 million rupees.
The Adinatha Temple (Vimala Vasahi) is built completely of white marble. It is covered with very superb carvings. It has intricate carvings of Narasimha and Krishna's pastimes. It is said that it took 1500 sculptures and 1200 laborers 14 years to complete. The bronze figure of Adinatha has a gem necklace and eyes made of precious jewels. In the ceiling of the 34th cell (old No.29) is a beautiful sculpture of Krishna subduing the Kaliya snake. When you come off the street into the entrance of the temple complex, directly in front of you is the small Mahavir Temple and slightly to the right is this temple.
The Neminath Temple (Luna Vasahi) was built in 1231 by Vastupal and Tejapala, ministers of the King of Viradhaval in Gujarat. It is dedicated to the 22nd tirthankara, Nerninath. The carvings on this temple are extremely intricate. Several full-time carvers are employed to maintain and restore the temple.
The Chaumuldia Temple (Parsvanatha) was built around 1459 and is me tallest of the Dilwara temples. The un-finished Sri Risha Deoji has a huge 4.3-ton brass tirthankara statue made of panchadhatu (five metals)-gold, silver, brass, copper and zinc.
These temples are open from 12 noons to 6 pm for non-jains. You cannot bring any leather objects into the temples, and this is very strictly enforced. Video cameras are also prohibited.
There is a sign at the entrance that says: "Entry of women on their monthly course is strictly prohibited. " Women may be questioned about this. These temples are a one-hour walk from the downtown. Shared jeeps come here.
There are four ruined temples to the northwest of the jain temples including a Vishnu temple and the Kanya Kumari temple.
Trevor's Tank is about 50m from the Dilwara Jain temples. Crocodiles lie around on the bank of the tank. You can get a good view of the tank from the trails that lead through the park.
Nakki Lake
This is the nice lake right next to the downtown. Bathing in this lake is held to be as Purifying as bathing in the Ganges. It is said to have been dug by a sage using only his nails (nakha). It is virtually in the center of Mt Abu. The 14th century Raghunathji Temple, which has Deities of Lord Rama, Laksman, and Sita, is right next to the lake. Southwest of the Raghunathji Temple is a famous huge rock that looks like a toad. By the lake is Ram Kund, which is a small well that never dries up.
Achalgarh
There is an ancient 9th century Siva temple and fort in Achalgarh 11 km from town. The Siva temple has Siva's toe Print instead of a linga. Lord Siva is said to have stood on Abu Mountain to stop it from moving. Where the Siva-linga would normally be located, there is a deep hole that is supposed to go all the way down to Patala, the innermost core of the earth. In the temple compound there is a Lakshmi Narayan temple, which has figures of the ten incarnations of Vishnu.
There is a tank here called Mandakini Kund (near the temple) with three Stone buffaloes and a king shooting them with a bow and arrow. The kund is now in ruins. It is said that the tank used to be filled with ghee. When three demons came every night in the form of buffaloes to steal the ghee, the king shot them. The Parmar Chief Dharavarsha is said to have killed these three buffaloes with one arrow.
There is a path that goes to a group of interesting Jain temples on the hill (10 minute climb).
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