The Rajasthan state administration made an important cultural transition by officially changing the name of Mount Abu, the state's lone hill retreat, to Aburaj. In an extraordinary gesture of reverence and endorsement for this administrative step, a respected religious figure from Pali district embarked on a rigorous spiritual feat. Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj, who oversees the Gangaberi Gaushala in the town of Sojat, undertook an arduous prostration pilgrimage stretching over 200 kilometres. His endurance and devotion have generated widespread discussion and admiration across the entire Marwar and Sirohi regions.
A Forty-Five Day Penance Beginning In Sojat
Following the state government's decision to honour local cultural heritage, Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj announced his resolution to express gratitude through physical austerity. He commenced his journey on 3 August from the premises of Gangaberi Gaushala in Sojat, located within Pali district. Unlike conventional walking yatras, this devotional practice required him to repeatedly measure the length of the road with his entire body through continuous prostrations. Despite encountering relentless monsoon downpours, muddy stretches, and the rocky elevations of the Aravali range, the holy man continued his progress unabated for roughly one and a half months, supported continuously by dedicated attendants and followers.
Community Receptions Across Pali And Sirohi Districts
Winding its way through Western Rajasthan, the 200-kilometre expedition traversed numerous settlements, passing through urban and rural pockets including Pali, Sanderao, and Sumerpur. Upon crossing into the administrative limits of Sirohi district, the pilgrimage received a grand welcome from residents at Sirodi village. Along the transit route, the saint paid homage at prominent local shrines, including the Bamanwadji Mahadev Temple, the Sonadhari Mahadev Temple in Sirodi, Anadra, and the Mamaji Bavsi shrine. Villagers, women, and fellow spiritual seekers lined the roads at every stop to shower flower petals and cheer the advancing procession.
Culmination At The Agneshwar Mahadev Temple In Delwara
After forty-five days of unrelenting physical strain and steadfast devotion, Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj entered the Delwara area of Aburaj. The epic pilgrimage drew to an official and ceremonial close at the ancient Agneshwar Mahadev Temple. Upon his arrival at the hill station, he was welcomed under the spiritual patronage of Mahant Niranjan Giri Maharaj, alongside a large assembly of monks and thousands of visiting devotees. To commemorate the safe and victorious conclusion of this religious venture, a musical devotional evening was organized at the temple, keeping devotees engaged in prayer until late into the night.
Decades Of Mobilisation To Erase Colonial Nomenclature
The transformation of Mount Abu into Aburaj represents the culmination of a protracted campaign driven by civil society and religious bodies. Proponents argued that the term Mount Abu was introduced during the British colonial era purely for administrative convenience, eclipsing the location's indigenous roots. Historic lore and ancient texts traditionally identified the sacred elevated landmass as Arbudanchal and Aburaj. To press for the restoration of this traditional heritage, 53 independent social and religious groups had joined hands with the monastic fraternity in June 2025 to stage a unified kalash yatra. With the state government formally adopting the historical name, the spiritual community views the outcome as an important cultural revival.
