AJARI TEMPLE (MARKUNDESHWAR JI)

About 5 Km south of Pindwara on the way to Abu Road, is the village of Ajari. 2 Km away from Ajari village, is temple of Mahadeo and Sarswati. The scenery is picturesque, honey-combed with date-trees and a small rivulet flows nearby. Small hillocks form a wonderful background makes this place a fine picnic spot. The temple is enclosed by high wall. Inside it is a Kundi of 30′ x 20′ size. Markandeshwar Rishi is said to have meditated here. There are small images of god Vishnu and goddess Saraswati. Nearby is pond commonly known Gaya-Kund where people immerse the mortal remains. On every Jeshtha Sudi 11 and Baisakh Sudi 15 a fair is held here.

AMBESHWAR JI (KOLARGARH) TEMPLE

A place about six miles north of Sirohi on a side track of the National Highway No. 14 from Sirohi to Sheoganj is famous for Goddess Amba Ji temple. The kolargarh is situated towards eastern side at a distance of 2 Km. the relics of old fort on Ganesh pole can be seen here. There is a Dharamshalla, a Jain temple, Laxmi Narayan temple, Shiv temple and Gorakhmath situated. On the hill after climbing 400 steps an ancient temple of Lord Shiv with its natural beauty and marvellous surroundings with waterfalls can be seen. The whole area is part of Siranwa hills and beautiful dense forest with admirable fauna and flora can be enjoyed. It is said that the relics of the old city and fort of kolar is of Parmar reign.

BAMANVAD JI TEMPLE

This temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavir 24th Tirthankar of Jains. The temple is said to be built by Nandi Vardhan, brother of Lord Mahavir. According to Jain Literature Lord Mahavir in his 37th religious voyage (Chaturmas) came to this area, so the places riveted with his name are seen in this district like Viroli (Vir Kulika), Vir Vada (Vir Vatak), Undra (Upnand), Nandiya (Nandi Vardhan) and Sani Village (Shanamani – A modern Pologround of Abu) . Episode of Karn Kilan i.e. nails were hammered into ears of the Mahavir Swami here at Bamanvada and kheer was cooked at Sani village. The biting of Chandkaushik snake occurred at Nandiya, and the scene is depicted by carving on the granite rock.

BHERU TARAK DHAM

The Bheru Tarak Dham is established in the valley of Nandgiri, the Arbudh as described in the ancient Indian literature. The whole valley represents a good settlement of Ashramas of Rishi Munis. From this valley the hilly track goes to Nakki Lake of Mount Abu. This track was used by Colonel Tod, the first European to visit Mt. Abu. This ancient track was the main source of supply of house hold goods to the inhabitants of Mount Abu. All the saints, religious tourists and the kings of various states of Rajputana’s used this track for reaching to Abu. There were circuit houses of all the states of Rajputana at Anadara, This was one of the old municipality of the Rajputana established in 1868. The temple is built of white marble dedicated to Sahastra Fana (one thousand hoods of serpent) of Parshavnath. The campus is having Dharmshala, BhojanShala and having all facilities for pilgrims. A bus is also operated from this place to Nakoda Tirth in Barmer district.

CHANDRAVATI

It is situated at 6 Km away from Abu Road on Abu – Ahmedabad Highway. It is destroyed city of Parmars. Its present name is Chandela. In the 10th and 11th century, the ruler of the Arbudmandal was the Parmars. Chandravati was the capital of the Parmars. It was the main centre of the nagar civilization, business and trade. Since, it was the capital of the Parmar therefore it was rich in heritage, culture and in all respect. The Parmar of Abu, king Sindhuraj was the ruler of the whole Maru Mandal.

Chandravati was a great example from Architect point of view. Colonel Tod in his book ‘Travel in Western India’ mentioned about the past glory of the Chandravati through some pictures. Apart from these pictures there are no proof which shows the past glory of the Chandravati. . When the railway track was laid down by the British Government, a huge amount of marble was consumed in filling up the remaining holes under the track because at that time there was no curiosity and desire for the art. After systematic commencement of the rail, the large amount of marble was taken away by the marble contractors to Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat and used to build beautiful temples.

JIRAVAL TEMPLE

In the series of the main traditional Jain Pilgrimages, the Jiraval has its own importance. This important temple is situated in the middle of the Jairaj Hill on the Aravali Ranges. The Jiraval temple is very primitive and ancient. The temple is surrounded by the Dharmshalas and beautiful buildings. The importance of this temple is unique because all over world installation of Jain temples are made with the name of this temple OM HRIM SHRI JIRAVALA PARSHAVNATHAY NAMAH. The main temple and its kalamandap are surrounded 72 Dev kulikas, its structure and architect is of nagar style of temple architecture. Here all facilities exist for religious tourists.

KARODI DHWAJ TEMPLE

This place can be reached from Abu down-hills about 4 Km. as well as from Sirohi via Anadara, a distance of about 32 Km. south of Sirohi town. This temple is dedicated to Lord Sun, who has millions of rays (Kotidhwaj). The temple is said to be built by the Hoons who were the worshippers of SUN. A chain of Sun temples can be marked right from Ranakpur to Modhera of Gujarat. Beautiful idols of Mahishasur Mardani, Sheshai Vishnu, Kuber and Ganapati can be seen here. This place is situated on horse shoe centre point of Abu hill. Perennial water source in rainy season damaged this temple and process is still going on. But the site itself is wonderful and exciting with natural beauty. Recently a dam is also built on the foot hills of the site.

MADHUSUDAN, MUNGTHALA AND PATNARAYAN TEMPLE

About 9 Km. from Abu Road we reach Madhusudhan, a temple dedicatedto Lord Vishnu. Here we can see the only inscription which is unparalleled in the history of environment is located outside the temple, which says that if any cuts the tree his/her mother will be ill-treated by the ass. A beautiful toran gate brought from Chandrawati can be seen here. 2 Km in south is the village of Mungthala vionity of which stands two temples.

One of these seems to have been dedicated to Mahavira and belongs to 10th century. Another which is half a mile from the village is dedicated to Mudgaleshwar Mahadeo. The wall mouldings refer it to the 10th century. From Mungthala there is a famous temple of Patnarain in village Girvar. This temple is also considered one of the pious temples of Abu-Raj Parikrama.

MIRPUR TEMPLE

PAVAPURI TEMPLE

SARNESHWAR JI TEMPLE

Sarneshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiv, situated on the western slope of Siranwa hill and is now managed by Sirohi Devasthanam. It is Kuldev of Deora Clan of Chauhans of Sirohi. The temple seems to be built in Parmar Dynasty rule because its structure and layout is similar to other temples constructed by Parmar rulers. A temple might be renovated time to time but the major renovation was carried out in 16th century. In 1526 V.S. Apurva Devi, the queen of Maharao Lakha established Hanuman Idol outside the main gate of the Sarneshwar Ji. The temple was decorated by Maharao Akheyraj in 1685 V.S. In the campus of the temple there are idols of lord Vishnu and a plate consisting of 108 Shiv Lingas.

The temple is surrounded by two courtyards, one is attached to main temple and second is around the whole area, which carries Burj and Chaukis, which represents this temple as fort. Basically this temple is fort temple. Outside the main gate of the temple, there are three decorated huge elephants made of lime and bricks, painted colourful situated. There is a mandakini Kund in front of the main temple, which is used by the pilgrims for taking holy bath on kartik purnima, chetra purnima and vaisakh purnima. A famous festival of Devuthni Ekadashi, in every Bhadrapadh month of V.S. is arranged here by the followers and on second day a huge fair of rabbaries is also celebrated, in which nobody except rabbarries are allowed. The cenotaphs of the royal family are another attraction in the premises of Sarneshwar temple.

SARVADHAM TEMPLE

Sarvadham Temple is dedicated to all religions of the world. It is located at the Hq. Sirohi and is one km far from the circuit house of Sirohi. The site, temple architecture, layout of the landscape is phenomenal. Trees of religious importance like Rudraksh, Kalpvriksh, Kunj, Harsingar, Belpatra (tree and scraper) are planted here. Saffron plantation is also seen here. The main attraction of this temple is the idols of various gods placed around, inside and top of the temple. This temple can be considered as the monument of the modern century which provides the feelings of National Integration and Harmony.

VARMAN SUN TEMPLE

At a distance of 45 Km. from Abu Railway/Bus Station, there stands a village of Varma. Its old name, as known from inscriptions, was Brahmana. It was probably founded not later than 7th century A.D., because the Sun temple known as the Brahmana-Svamin of this place built probably in the seventh century A.D. From the study of Old temples tanks, wells and old residential buildings, it appears to have been a prosperous town in past.

The Sun Temple of Varman, known as the Brahman-Svamin, is one of the most famous temples in India. The careful finish of its carving, the proportion of its members and the parsimonious use of decorative detail, all tend to show that it must have been constructed at a time when the temple architecture was a vitally living art. The temple, which faces the east, consists of the Shrine, Sabhamandapa, pradakshina and porch. A standing image of the sun discover must have occupied the main Shrine Apart from this, there are finely carved but partially mutilated images of the Navagrahas has, and the eight dikpalas. The Sun temple is also called Surya Narayana. The pedestal sculptured in the form of chariot drawn by seven steeds in the niche of the Sanctum is a marvellous piece of realism.

VASANT GARH

Vasant Garh 8 Km. to the South of Pindwara, is situated on a river named Sarasvati. Its old names, as known from various sources, were Vetaleara, Vatasthana, Vatanagra, Vata, Vatapura and Vasisthapura. This place was called Vata on account of the banyan trees, which are found in abundance. In the eleventh century, it was believed that once, under the banyan trees there stood a sacrificialheritage of Vashishtha. Vashishtha is said to have erected the temple of Arka and Bharga, and with the aid of the architect of the Gods, founded the city called Vata adorned with ramparts, orchards tanks and lofty mansions. It was therefore called Vashisthapura