Holy Abu

Author(s): Jayantvijay
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

Page 95

-12
-Holy Abu
ashrama and a Jaina Dharmashālā open for all sects. At a distance of 13 miles (from Abu-Road, on the ascent by the bus-road) is another Jaina Dharmashālā; since the village of Āraṇā is situated nearby, the area is known as Āraṇā-Taleți (base or foot or lower regions of a mountain or hill).
A road bifurcates from the main road at a distance of about 1 miles from the Abu-Camp motor-bus-stand and this tar-road, opened in 1924 A.D., takes one directly to the Delväḍā shrines. Formerly visitors to Delvāḍā were not allowed to go upto Abu Camp and were asked to get down on the way and had to walk the whole distance of about a mile and a half with bag and baggage often without a porter. Fortunately now there is a new road and the old restrictions are gone.
Besides these there are a few more foot-paths up the hill on the different slopes of the mountain which are dangerous without an armed escort, especially on account of wild animals in the jungles. Even primitive tribes like the Bhills do not attempt these paths without a weapon.
On Abu itself there are tar-roads on all sides of the Camp and upto Delvāḍā, besides there are pakkā (built tar or metal) roads upto Achalagaḍh.
Transport.
The bus-service is monopolised, sold on a contract basis to a party, and no other person or concern is allowed to run such buses. From morning till evening, at least twice a day, the service runs up and down the mount, and reservations can be secured only twenty-four hours in advance, from the offices of the Service at Abu-Road or on AbuCamp. The rates of fares for different classes are fixed by the Government. Special taxis or carts are also available on hire.