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Hindu Sites and Places of Interest ]
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steps. As the waters are very sweet to taste, the kundawhich is only a sort of a small well-is known as Sakkara (Sugar)-kuņda. (15) Guru-Shikhará.
About 24 miles to the north-west of Oriyā, is the highest peak on Mount Abu, known as the Gurushikhara. It is about 7 miles from the Rājputānā Hotel, about 6 miles from the Delvādā and is 5650 feet above the sea-level. About half a mile from Oriyā, on the way to Gurushikhara, is a small hamlet called Jāvāi with about 20 huts of Rājputs. From here Gurushikhara is at a distance of about 2 miles, but the ascent is difficult through a range of hills and rocks. On this way, are a Shiva temple, a KamalaKunda and a Gau-Shālā ( for cattle ) with a small garden nearby. Proceeding further upwards, one reaches the small cell with footprints of Guru Dattātreya, on a high peak of the rock. Every year pilgrims flock to this spot for the worship of Dattātreya who is regarded by Hindus as an incarnation of Vişhņu. Here was an old bell with an inscription of 1468 V. S. which is now broken and replaced by another new bell. It is said that the old bell is still preserved by the mahant of the shrine.
A little to the north-west of this spot is another peak with a shrine dedicated to the worship of Anasāyā, the Mother of Lord (Guru ) Dattātreya.
There is a dharmashálā, on the Gurushikhara, with two rooms and some small caves nearby wherein stay the mahants and other monks. Pilgrims or visitors can obtain boarding and lodging facilities from the Mahant ( headworshipper or Pūjārī in charge of the shrine ) who is now trying to raise funds and build a bigger dharmashālā for
visitors.
From the peak the visitog obtains a panoramic view of
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