Friday, April 6, 2012

Amdavad, Ambaji and Abu Trip

March 2012 as usual my trip to Mount Abu happened with a small Twist. I planned this trip with Somnath, Dwarka and Abu, but due to unavailable of leave I trimmed my tour plan to 7 days without Somnath and Dwarka. I went this time by Air up to Amdavad and from there by Train to Abu Road.

Places Visited in this trip are Amdavad, Ambaji and Abu.

Amdavad
First I went to Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple. It was one of the largest temple complex in India. It consists of Temple Complex, Exhibition complex and Gardens with Musical Fountain. we have to spend around 3-4 hours to see the entire temple complex.

Akshardham is a place of education, entertainment and enlightenment. As one of the wonders of world, it combines traditional stone architecture, ancient wisdom, and the best of modern technology to create the most powerful experience of Indian Culture ever to exist. Dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, and inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham is a miracle worked by the sacrifice of thousands of volunteers. Hundreds of figures, dioramas, displays and audio-visual shows, unfold a stream of timeless experiences. They are visually mesmeric, scientifically stunning, and spiritually moving.

More than 2 million visitors visit annually. But remember, at Akshardham you are not a tourist nor a traveler. You're an explorer. An inventor, A sculptor. You'll discover the art of sculpting yourself from within.

Akshardham complex comprises of Monument:
An architectural masterpiece that enshrines the golden Murti of Lord Swaminarayan.

Exhibitions:
Experiential exhibitions that display the values of Indian Culture. Entry Fee : Rs.55 per Adult

Garden:
15 acres of contemplative garden with cultural spots.

Research Center:
A futuristic research institute for social harmony.

How to get there:
Akshardham sits in the heart of one of the greenest cities of the world -Gandhinagar, which is located on National Highway 8c. Therefore, Akshardham is accessible from every direction.
On your way to Jaipur or Udaipur, Dwarika or Somnath, Modhera or Mt. Abu.

Distance by road from important locations:
By Road:
Special buses and cars are provided by the tourism department, government authorities and private services.

Ahmedabad - 25 km	Vadodara - 150 km	Jaipur - 604 km	Udaipur - 230 km
Mt. Abu - 190 km	Mumbai - 540 km	Delhi - 900 km

By Air:
23 km from national and international airports of Amdavad.
By Railway:
2 km from Gandhinagar railway station.
31 km from Amdavad railway station.

Amdavad Akshardham Temple

After that we went to Vaishnao Devi temple in the evening near Gandhi Nagar.

Amdavad Vaishnao Devi Temple

The next day we reached Abu Road and from there we went to Ambaji temple.

About Ambaji

Ambaji is a census town in Banaskantha district in the state of Gujarat, India. Ambaji is an important temple town with millions of devotees visiting the Ambaji temple every year. It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths.

Ambaji mata temple is a major Shakti Peeth of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 65 kilometers from Palanpur and 45 kilometers from Mount Abu and 20 kilometers from Abu Road near the Gujarat and Rajasthan border. The original seat of Ambaji mata is on gabbar hilltop in the town. A large number of devotees visit the temple every year specially on Purnima days. A large mela on Bhadarvi poornima (full moon day) is held.

In the holy temple of "arasuri ambaji" there is no image or statue of goddess the holy "shree visa yantra" is worshiped as the main daity. No one can see the yantra with naced eye. the photography of the yantra is probhited.

Ambaji town is known for possessing mines which produce fine quality marble and granite.

Photography /camera are not inside the temple, so I taken some snaps from out side.

Maa Ambaji Temple - AMBAJI

Maa Ambaji at Gabbar Hills

The famous mountain of Gabbar is situated on the border of States of Gujarat and Rajasthan, near the flow of the origin of the famous Vedic virgin river SARASWATI, on the hills of Arasur in forest , towards south-west side to ancient hills of Arvalli, at the altitude of about 480 meters, at about 1,600 feet (490 m) high from sea level, having at 8.33 km² (5 sq. miles area ) area as a whole, and it is in fact One of the Fifty One (51) famous Ancient Pauranik Shakti Piths - The Centre of Cosmic Power of India and it is the original holy place of Mata Ambaji, where the piece of the heart of the dead body of Devi Sati fell at the top of this holy hill of Gabbar as per the legend narrated in the "Tantra Chudamani". The Mountain or Hill of Gabbar has also a small temple fortified from the western side and there are 999 steps to go up to the mountain and reach this holy temple at the top of Gabbar Hill. A Holy Lamp is constantly burning on this hill temple facing exactly in front of Visa Shree Yantra of Nij Mandir of Mata Shri Arasuri Ambica. There are many more beautiful Site Seeing Places on Gabbar together with a sunset point, Cave and Swings of Mataji and Trips through Ropeway. Rope car charges Rs.85 per person to and fro.

Maa Ambaji Temple at Kabbar Hills

Kabbar Hills - Rope car

Kabbar Hills - Steps

About Kumbharia Jain Temples

Kumbharia Jain temples is a fascinating group of amazing temple structures at Ambaji town which dates back to the 11th and 13th century, respectively. The Kumbhariya group of Jain temples are dedicated to the five theerthankkaras of the jain religion namely Mahavira, Parshvanath, Neminath Shantinath and Sambhavanath. According to the legend, Mata Ambika had directed Sheth Vimal Shah, the 11th century minister of the Solankis, to construct 360 Jain temples there. The temples were constructed without Ambe Mata’s idols installed. On noticing this, the goddess got furious and destroyed almost all the temples except five of them. The minister realized his mistake and included the idols of Ambe Mata in the remaining temples.

The main shrine constructed in the center of a rectangular courtyard is the highlight of the temple. The beautiful shiksaras, balconies with porches and the excellent craftsmanship and artistic of the temple structure and style bears a striking resemblance to the famous Dilwara temples of Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

Khumbaria Jain Temples - Ambaji

On 18th March we went to Abu darshan by car and we seen lots of places in Mount abu.

Abu Road, Rajasthan

Brahmakumaris - Shantivan Complex

Diamond Hall - 20,000 Capacity Hall Jampacked

Vegetable Cutting Machine


Vegetable Ready for Cooking

Universal Peace Hall

Roti Making Manually

Roti Making Machine

Cooking with out Fire

Utensil cleaning by Rajasthani Womens

Shantivan Part View

Brahmakumaris - Gyansarovar, Mount Abu

Spritual Art Galary - Gyansarovar

Gyansarovar Park

Mount Abu Road

Gyansarovar Hill Area

Mind Power checking Computer

Brahmakumaris - Pandav Bhavan, Mount Abu

Gurusigarh - Mount Abu

Gurusighar - Radar Station - 5200ft

Gurusighar - 5000ft

Gurusighar - Scientist's Center - 5200ft

Gurusighar - Historic Bell - 5200ft

Nakki Lake Boating - Mount Abu

Playing in Peace Park

By return I came by flight so I started in the morning from Abu road by car to reach Amdavad Airprt. It takes 4 hours to reach Amdavad from abu Road. We reached 2.00 pm in Airport and my flight was 3.10 pm. Finally I reached Chennai in the evening 5.30 pm. I taken some photos from flight are here.