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Hindu Sites and Places of Interest]
äshrama and then descending a flight of steps one reaches the Gautama-ashrama where there is small shrine dedicated to Gautama, with a Vishnu image and images of the sage Gautama and his wife Ahalya ( well-known in the HinduRāmāyaṇa). An inscription outside the shrine shows that two ladies, Parvati and Champābai, built the flight of steps here, in V. S. 1613, Vaishakha Shukla 3, during the reign of Mahārāṇā Udayasimha.
(82) Madhavashrama.
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The Madhavashrama is only about two miles upward from Kharāḍī (Abu Road) and eight miles down the slope from Vasishṭhāshrama. The descent to Gautamashrama as well as Madhavāshrama is rather difficult and a traveller is advised not to visit these places wihtout a guide.
(83) Västhānaji
On the northern slopes of Abu, about 10 to 12 miles N. E. from the Abu camp, is the village of Sher. On the way to Sher, is a cave, 18 ft. long x 12 ft, broad x 6 ft. high, wherein is worshipped an image of Vishnu besides a Shiva linga, a Pārvatī image and a figure of Ganesha. Outside the cave are images of Ganesha, Boar-incarnation, Bhairava, Brahma and others.
This is awell-known spot visited every year by thousands of pilgrims from districts all around. The descent from the top of Abu is very difficult and an easier way to reach the cave would be from the village Isari1 about two miles from the foot of Abu. Climbing a little from this side,
1 The Trigonometrical Survey Map gives the name Isari, in the Sirohi Rajyakā Itihāsa it is Isaran. It is to the north of the village Sher. II miles south of Sirohi, II miles westward from the Banās Station and 17 miles from Pinḍawāḍā.
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