In the beautiful hill station of Mount Abu, 700 steps through thick forests and wilderness reaches to the Gaumukh temple, a shrine dedicated to Saint Vashisth. Once a meditating haven for ascetics, sages and saints, the Gaumukh Temple is now a popular tourist destination. It is believed that Saint Vashishth performed a yagna there that created the four major Rajput clans. The Agni Kund, near the shrine is believed to be the site of a sacrificial fire which Saint Vashishth used to perform the yagna from which the four clans were born. Religious texts speaks of Lord Ram, Laxman being educated here and Yudhishtar as having stayed here. The temple and its surroundings were partially destroyed in the 1975 earthquake.

Location Rajasthan , Sirohi, Jaipur

Legend

Legend describes that once, when Sages Viswamitra and Vashisth were engaged in a debate, river Sarswati chose to support Vashistha. This enraged Vishwamitra and he cursed the river that she would be unholy.  With no Gods willing to help her, Saraswathi then approached Vashisth asking him to aid her. The Sage replied that she will be purified if she flows by his abode. From that time, the river Saraswati has been flowing endlessly at this ashram. Later, a king  who ruled the place installed the 'Gau Mukh' or a cow's head near this flow and built a small pool.

Architecture

A steep climb of around 700 steps leads to the Gaumukh temple and the nearby Vashisht ashram. A large marble statue of a cow has been built on the site. There is a stream of water that flows from the mouth of the cow. The ashram of Sage Vasishta is made of white marble masonry. The ashram enshrines the deities of Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Sage Vashisht etc. The agni kund, where the Sage is believed to have conducted the yagna can also be seen.

Culture

Mount Abu is a popular hill station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in western India.  It has been a favoured destination for tourists away from the heat of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat for centuries. The Achalgarh fort was built in the 14th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar. The fort is now in ruins.

Picture Courtesy  : www.abutimes.com

Darsan Info

The trek to the temple is steep, and the place isolated. Hence it is advisable to not go to the shrine during the late hours. Also, elderly and those who are not fit enough should avoid the trek.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative clothing.

Famous Festival

March - Maha Shivrathri (Feb/Mar)

October - Navrathri

November - Deepavali

Temple Rituals

The priests perform regular puja and rituals at the Vashisht ashram shrine

Special Rituals

Devotees can have a dip in the holy water that falls to a tank through the mouth of a marble cow.

Additional Info

 

There are small snack shops at the base of the temple.