|
|
Summer festival, Mount Abu |
Introduction
of
Summer
Festival |
The summer
festival of Mt. Abu of Rajasthan is held every year during Buddha
Poornima in the month of May or June The Summer festival of Rajasthan
celebrates the affection and joyfulness of the people of hill station,
their colorful life and cheerful nature, who welcome the tourist from
the depth of their hearts. Mount Abu of Rajasthan is a major pilgrim
tourist center situated near Udaipur in south-west of the state of
Rajasthan in India and also happens to be the only Hill Station of
Rajasthan. This good-looking heaven comes alive with festivities every
summer in the Hindu month of Aashadh (May – June). The steep rocks,
tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and the enjoyable climate of
Mount Abu of Rajasthan make it a perfect location for the Summer
festival of Rajasthan. The festival of Rajasthan goes on for three-day
and showcases the traditions, culture and the tribal life of
Rajasthan. The hospitality of the people, their colorful culture and
interesting location made this festival a unforgettable experience.
|
Major Attractions of Summer Festival |
Folk dances
and a general atmosphere of cheerfulness prevail in this tiny hill
resort and the tourists have sufficient time to relax and enjoy. The
Summer festival of Rajasthan is a feast of folk and classical music
and a window to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan.
Some
of the prominent attractions of the Summer Festival of Rajasthan are
dance forms like the ballads, Gair, Ghoomar and Daph folk dances,
which attract the viewers with their grace and variety. The
hospitality of the people, their dynamic traditions and interesting
location make this Summer festival an unforgettable experience during
your visit to Mount Abu.
Summer festival of Rajasthan starts with a traditional parade, which
starts from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar and assemble at the Nakki Lake
Chowk, in this procession folk performances are performed from artists
of Rajasthan and Gujarat. During the 3 days, at the end of the
festival, there is an exhibition of amazing fire works. This three
day colourful festival is arranged by the Rajasthan Tourism, Municipal
Board, Mt. Abu & District Administration. Summer festival of Rajasthan
is one of the most popular fairs and festivals of Rajasthan.
|
Festivities of the Summer Festival of Mount Abu in Rajasthan, India
|
Summer
festival of Rajasthan state Mount Abu commences with the singing of a
narrative song which is followed by folk dances which enthrall the
spectators. On the Nakki Lake exciting boat race are conducted that
adds range to the festival of Rajasthan.
Rowing Competition is also held at Nakki Lake which is very popular
among the people of Mount Abu due to the myth associated with the
Nakki Lake according to which it is thought that the Gods formed the
lake-bed by digging it with their fingernails (called nakh in Hindi
language) hence the name Nakki Lake.
The second
and third day of the Summer festival of Rajasthan is more beautiful as
a range of competitions are conducted for the full day. Skating Race,
skater's Show, CRPF Band Show, Boat Race, Horse Race, Tug of War,
Panihari Matka Race and Deepdan add more eagerness to the Summer
festival of Rajasthan.
Festivities start from the morning hours so it’s a good idea to take a
cup of tea and a seat at one of the sidewalk cafes for breakfast as
these talented locals entertain the morning crowd. Around lunchtime
teams of locals and tourists contribute in boat races along the
marvelous Nakki Lake.
As
evening approaches the outdoor Sham-e-Qawwali Indian music show takes
over the town center. The well-known Qawwals or professional
singers come to perform here from all over the state and fascinate the
audience with their singing. The grand finale of the summer festival of Mount Abu of Rajasthan
is a show of amazing fireworks which draws the attention of the
tourists.
|
History and Legends of Mount Abu |
The history
of Mount Abu of Rajasthan is as varied as the city itself. It act as a
summer resort for the Rajput kings of the region and once it was a
part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan. After that, it was leased by
the British government, from the then Maharaja of Sirohi, for use as
the headquarters of the resident to Rajputana (another name for
Rajasthan).
It was the favorite summer destination of the British during the
British rule in India, who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of
the plains mainly Rajasthan. It also served as a sanatorium for the
troops. The small huts and cottages here tell stories of those times
even today.
Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days.
Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu
pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where
the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial
worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to
save the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been
performed near a natural spring, which come out from a rock shaped
like a cow's head.
According to another myth, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was
trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage request
Lord Shiva for help.
The Lord sent Saraswati, the marvelous stream,
to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then
decided to make sure that such mishaps did not occur in future. He
asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the
break permanently. This he did with the help of Arbud, the mighty
snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed
to its present form - Mount Abu.
This place is held in worship by Jains as well since Jain scriptures
record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual
leader), also visited Mount Abu of Rajasthan and blessed the city.
|
Tourist Attractions of Mount Abu |
There are a
lot of sites to visit in and around this small city of Mount Abu of
Rajasthan. In addition to a hill station, Mount Abu of Rajasthan is
also regarded as an significant pilgrimage site, with the Dilwara Jain
temples of Rajasthan, ashrams of saints and a few Hindu temples within
its boundaries. Few of the sites that would make the trip to this
place very enjoyable are the landscapes, mountains and the holy Nakki
Lake.
|
How to Reach There |
Mount Abu
is the only Hill Station of Rajasthan situated near Udaipur in South
West of the state of Rajasthan in India. Udaipur of Rajasthan (185
kms) is the nearest airport to Mount Abu. Abu Road (29 kms) is the
nearest railway station. Taxis and buses are available from both the
airport and the railway station. There is also a good network of bus
services linking Mount Abu of Rajasthan to significant places like
Ahmedabad, Udaipur of Rajasthan, Jodhpur of Rajasthan, and Jaipur of
Rajasthan.
By Rail
The railway station at Abu Road of Rajasthan is a two-hour drive from
Mount Abu of Rajasthan and is well-connected to the rest of the
country through a number of trains. It is a major stoppage for a
number of important long-distance trains of the Western and Northern
Railways.
By Road
Mount Abu of Rajasthan is well-connected by roads, as it is in close
closeness to National Highway No 8 and 14. A small roadway connects
the city to National Highway no 8, which in turn connects it to major
cities like Jodhpur of Rajasthan and Delhi. There is also a good
network of roads making it accessible to other significant places in
the state. With good road conditions you can also travel by private
car / taxi.
By Air
Udaipur of Rajasthan is the nearest airport to Mount Abu, 185 km away.
Tourists can simply select for a variety of road transport facilities
available at the airport for reaching Mount Abu of Rajasthan. A number
of domestic airlines have their scheduled flight to Udaipur of
Rajasthan, which connect the city of Rajasthan to the major cities in
the country.
|
Facts of Summer Festival of Mount Abu |
Location:
Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
Significance: Devoted to the tribal culture and folk music and dances.
Time of Celebration: For three days in Aashadh (according to the Hindu
calendar), which usually falls in May or June.
Highlights: Rajasthan folk music and dance, boat race on the Nakki
Lake, Sham-e-Qawwali (a musical extravaganza) and dazzling fireworks.
|
|
|
Summer Festival of Mount Abu |
Mount Abu Beautiful View |
|
|
Summer Festival of Mount Abu |
Summer Festival of Mount Abu |
|
|
|
|
|