Down on the Abu Road side of Mount Abu, a small stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow, giving the shrine its name. There is also a marble figure of the bull Nandi, Shiva's vehicle. The tank here, Agni Kund, is said to be the site of the sacrificial fire, made by sage Vashistha, from which four of the great Rajput clans were born. An image of Vashishtha is flanked by the figures of Rama and Krishna.
To reach the temple you have to take a path with 750 steps down to the valley.
General Tips:
Shoes and all leather articles should be left at the entrance of the temple.
2. Dealwara Temple : About Delwara Jain Temples
The Temple complex includes two temples with exquisite marble carvings. The older of the temples is the Vimal Vasahi, built in 1031 by a Gujrati minister named Vimal. It is dedicated to the first tirthankar (Jain Teacher), Adinath. The central shrine contains an image of Adinath, while around the courtyard are 57 identical cells, each with a Budhdha like cross-legged image. Forty eight elegantly carved pillars from the entrance to the courtyard. In front of the temple stands the House of Elephants, with figures of elephants marching in procession to the temple.
The later Tejpal Temple is dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd tirthankar, and was built in1231 by the brothers Tejpal and Vastupal. Like Vimal, they were ministers in the government of the ruler of Gujarat. Although the Tejpal temple is important as an extremely old and complete example of Jain temple, its most notable feature is the intricacy and delicacy of the marble carving. It is so fine that, in places, the marble becomes almost transparent. In particular the lotus flower that hangs from the center of the dome is an incredible piece of work. It is difficult to believe that the huge lacelike filigree started as a solid block of marble. The temple employs several full-time stone carvers to maintain and restore the work.
There are three other temples in the enclosure, but they are pale beside the Tejpal temple and Vimal Vasahi.
General Tips
- Shoes and all leather articles should be left at the entrance.
- Photography is not allowed.
3. Adhar Devi Temple
About Adhar Devi
Temple
The Adhar Devi temple, about 3km north of town, is chiseled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 365 steps. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance of the temple. It is a favorite tourist spot.
The Adhar Devi temple, about 3km north of town, is chiseled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 365 steps. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance of the temple. It is a favorite tourist spot.
Museum & Art Gallery
About Museum
The museum is divided into two sections. The first section has been adorned by a diorama of local tribal hut with their usual living style by adding a gallery of weapons, musical instruments, ladies ornaments like barly, damani, karna, guthma toda, gaga wala thoomar, kanksi berla, various type of earrings and garments etc. belonging to hill dwellers.
The second section has a series of miniature paintings based on raga-ragnis, lain images from Sirohi, medium sized shields, a small canon called 'Topdi' and some pieces of carvings on local wood.
The notable collection of this museum, is the finely carved out statues of Devdasi or Nartakis (Dancer) ranging from 6th century A.D. to 12th century A.D. procured from an ancient township called Chandravati, 7 kms away from Abu. There is an image of the Chakrabahu Shiva having a trishul in one hand and a khadag in the other and sitting on Nandi, the bull. On each side of Shiva are dancing girls.
In the Abu collection consisting of 404 sculptures, the most distinctive exhibit is the Vish Kanya (snake goddess) which is 3 feet high. It is shown breast-feeding a snake. The figures are well executed and the attitudes are impressive and natural. It also has the Surya (8th century A.D.) found in Achalgarh, the Shiva (10th century A.D.) brought from Delwara temple. The Chanvar Vahini and Laxmi (12th century A.D.) also from Chandravati and the Chanmunda (8th century A. D.).
The Sculpture Gallery has some memorial inscriptions collected from nearby areas e.g. Chapa's inscription, (local heroine of Achalgarh).
The museum is divided into two sections. The first section has been adorned by a diorama of local tribal hut with their usual living style by adding a gallery of weapons, musical instruments, ladies ornaments like barly, damani, karna, guthma toda, gaga wala thoomar, kanksi berla, various type of earrings and garments etc. belonging to hill dwellers.
The second section has a series of miniature paintings based on raga-ragnis, lain images from Sirohi, medium sized shields, a small canon called 'Topdi' and some pieces of carvings on local wood.
The notable collection of this museum, is the finely carved out statues of Devdasi or Nartakis (Dancer) ranging from 6th century A.D. to 12th century A.D. procured from an ancient township called Chandravati, 7 kms away from Abu. There is an image of the Chakrabahu Shiva having a trishul in one hand and a khadag in the other and sitting on Nandi, the bull. On each side of Shiva are dancing girls.
In the Abu collection consisting of 404 sculptures, the most distinctive exhibit is the Vish Kanya (snake goddess) which is 3 feet high. It is shown breast-feeding a snake. The figures are well executed and the attitudes are impressive and natural. It also has the Surya (8th century A.D.) found in Achalgarh, the Shiva (10th century A.D.) brought from Delwara temple. The Chanvar Vahini and Laxmi (12th century A.D.) also from Chandravati and the Chanmunda (8th century A. D.).
The Sculpture Gallery has some memorial inscriptions collected from nearby areas e.g. Chapa's inscription, (local heroine of Achalgarh).