# Saint Bajrangdas Maharaj Completes Gruelling 200-Kilometre Prostration Pilgrimage To Celebrate Renaming Of Mount Abu As Aburaj

> To mark Rajasthan's decision to rename its sole hill station Mount Abu to Aburaj, Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj undertook a demanding 45-day dandavat yatra covering more than 200 kilometres.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-09-27 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/aburaj-namakarana-ke-sammana-men-snta-bajrangdas-maharaj-ne-200-kilomitara-dndavata-chalakara-puri-ki-kathina-sadhana-39251 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Aburaj, Mount Abu, Bajrangdas Maharaj, Dandavat Yatra, Rajasthan, Pali, Sirohi, Agneshwar Mahadev

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.

## What this means for you
The official renaming of Mount Abu to Aburaj and the widespread backing from spiritual leaders will reshape administrative records and regional tourism.

- **Across Rajasthan:** Government departments will systematically update all state maps, road signage, and official municipal documents to reflect the name Aburaj. Residents, commercial establishments, and institutions will gradually see this change reflected across identity databases and municipal registrations.
- **In Sirohi and Marwar:** The celebration of this cultural milestone is expected to draw renewed attention to religious and heritage tourism across the region. Travellers visiting the state's sole hill station will now encounter historical narratives centered around its indigenous identity rather than colonial naming.
- **For Commuters and Tourists:** Public bus corporations, railway schedules, and hotel booking aggregators will need to synchronise their systems to incorporate the new town nomenclature. Travellers planning trips in the near future may see both historical and current names displayed on ticketing interfaces.
- **Local Cultural Legacy:** The long-standing demand of residents and monks has transitioned from a public campaign into official reality. This provides community stakeholders with formal institutional backing to promote regional folklore and indigenous history.

## Why this happened
The decision to rename the hill resort to Aburaj, along with the extraordinary pilgrimage that followed, was rooted in a protracted campaign to replace colonial terminology with ancient heritage.

- **Rejection of Colonial Imposition:** Mount Abu had been coined by British authorities purely for cartographic and administrative ease during colonial rule. Community groups argued that the designation suppressed the indigenous cultural heritage that existed long before British governance.
- **Mythological and Historical Records:** Ancient scriptures and regional traditions consistently identified the mountain range as Arbudanchal and Aburaj. Monastic bodies cited these texts to advocate that the official geography should match the historical literature.
- **Coordinated Civil Mobilisation:** A coordinated demonstration in June 2025, involving 53 distinct cultural groups and ascetic organisations in a joint kalash procession, demonstrated broad public backing for the policy shift. Once the Rajasthan government accepted the petition, community leaders moved to honour the resolution.
- **Vow of Spiritual Gratitude:** Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj undertook his rigorous 200-kilometre prostration journey as an individual act of spiritual penance to publicly commemorate the restoration of the native name.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is the new name given to Mount Abu?
The Rajasthan state government has officially renamed its sole hill station Mount Abu to 'Aburaj'.

### 2. Why did Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj undertake this dandavat yatra?
He undertook the pilgrimage to demonstrate gratitude and spiritual support for the government's decision to rename the hill station to Aburaj.

### 3. Where did the pilgrimage begin and where did it conclude?
The journey began at Gangaberi Gaushala in Sojat, Pali district, and concluded at the Agneshwar Mahadev Temple in Delwara, Aburaj.

### 4. How long did the journey take and what distance did it cover?
The prostration journey covered more than 200 kilometres and took approximately one and a half months to complete.

### 5. What was the rationale behind changing the name Mount Abu?
Advocates highlighted that Mount Abu was an English colonial designation, whereas the region was historically known as Arbudanchal and Aburaj.

### 6. What demonstration occurred in June 2025 regarding this name change?
In June 2025, 53 community organisations joined spiritual leaders to organize a massive kalash yatra demanding the restoration of the historical name.

## Inspiration & Lessons
The 200-kilometre prostration journey of Mahant Bajrangdas Maharaj stands as a rare demonstration of endurance, unwavering resolve, and devotion to cultural ideals.

- **The Power of Conviction:** Undertaking an extraordinary challenge becomes achievable when backed by genuine personal conviction and mental clarity.
- **Perseverance Through Adversity:** Continuing daily physical penance across forty-five days amid torrential rain and difficult terrain proves that persistence overcomes immediate physical discomfort.
- **Honouring Cultural Roots:** Willingness to undergo physical hardship to honour ancestral identity highlights the value of preserving historical consciousness for future generations.
- **Collective Unity and Service:** The loyal accompaniment of volunteers and community supporters underscores how shared community goals inspire spontaneous cooperation and assistance.

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