Building sights in Mt Abu
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Luna Vasahi Temple
The later Luna Vasahi Temple is dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd tirthankar, and was built in 1230 by the brothers Tejpal and Vastupal for a mere Rs 125.9 million. Like Vimal, the brothers were both Gujarati government ministers. The marble carving here took 2500 workers 15 years to create, and its most notable feature is its intricacy and delicacy, which is so fine that, in places, the marble becomes almost transparent.
In particular, the many-layered lotus flower that dangles from the centre of the dome is an astonishing piece of work. It's difficult to believe that this huge lacelike filigree started life as a solid block of marble. The temple remains incredibly well…
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Vimal Vasahi
The older of the temples is the Vimal Vasahi, on which work began in 1031 and which was financed by a Gujarati minister named Vimal. Dedicated to the first tirthankar, Adinath, it took 14 years and allegedly cost Rs 180.5 million to build. The central shrine has an image of Adinath himself, while around the courtyard are 52 identical cells, each enclosing a cross-legged Buddha-tirthankar - the crucial difference between these statues and those of Buddha is that their eyes are always open.
Forty-eight beautifully carved pillars form the courtyard entrance, in front of which stands the House of Elephants, featuring a procession of elephants marching to the temple entrance,…
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Jain Temples
These remarkable Jain temples are Mt Abu's main attraction and feature some of India's finest temple decoration. It's said that the artisans were paid according to the amount of dust they collected, encouraging them to carve ever more intricately. Whatever their inducement, there are two temples in which the marble work is dizzyingly intense, a collection of delicate milky kaleidoscopes, with icing-like carving so fine it looks like you could break it off and eat it. No photography is permitted.
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Raghunath Temple
Scenic Nakki Lake is a big attraction and the town’s focus. It’s so named because, according to legend, it was scooped out by a god using his nakh (nails). The 14th-century Raghunath Temple stands beside the lake. You can hire boats – a pedalo or a more romantic shikara (gondola-like boat) – at the edge of the lake near the temple; a two-person shikara costs Rs100 for 30 minutes, while a two-/four-person pedalo costs Rs50/100.
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Adhar Devi Temple
About 3km north of town, 365 steps lead to the ancient Adhar Devi Temple, which is built in a natural cleft in the rock. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance to the temple, which holds atmospheric devotional services at dawn. There are splendid views over Mt Abu from up here.
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Shanti Shikhar
You can follow the white arrows along a path to the summit of Shanti Shikhar, west of Adhar Devi Temple, where there are panoramic views.
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Bhimashah Pittalhar
Another temple in the enclosure is Built between 1315 and 1433 it features a 4-tonne five-metal statue of Adinath.
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