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186
B
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Holy Abu
the cart-road of about if mile from Shānti-ashrama, and then walk for about a mile by the foot-path on our right, on the edge of the rock, when the temple of the goddess Bhadrakālī is reached. Half-a-mile's walk from this spot takes the visitor to an ancient and famous shrine of Vişhņu, known as Hțşhikesha situated at the foot (taleți ) of the mount Ābu. On account of the rocks on its three sides and the thickets grown around the shrine is concealed from view from a distance. The villagers know it as Rakhīkisan or Rşhīkishan (Hșsīkesha) temple, and say that Lord kțshna, on his way to Dvārikā from Mathurā, camped here for sometime in order to remove fatigue of the long march. King Ambarīsha of Amarāvati, a devotee of Vishņu, commemorated the spot by erecting a temple over it.
There is a monastery and a dharmashālā near the temple, on one side are a kuņda, a well and cattle-shed (Gaushālā). A mahanta is in charge of the area and travellers are given facilities for staying here. There is besides a temple of Shiva with a kunda nearby. On the back side of these is a nice platform which people regard as the seat on which the (Purāṇic) King Ambarisha used to meditate. Ruins of old structures in the area are said to be the ancient city of Amaravati in ruins. Being situated in the midst of rocks and dense woods the area has been a charming natural secluded spot. ( 66-67) Temple of Bhadrakāli and Ruined Jaina shrine.
The Bhadrakālī temple, mentioned above, on the way to Hrşīkesha, was an old dilapidated temple which has been rebuilt and consecrated in V. S. 1979 by Shri Kesarīsinhaji Bahādur, the then king of the old Sirohi State,
Near this temple, to the left of the nālā nearby, was a Jaina shrine, now in ruins, with only parts of its walls standing in situ,
