Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at Mount Abu in Rajasthan with over 45,000 tourists, mostly from Gujarat, thronging the hill station to welcome the New Year.

Stringent checking of important places, frisking of tourists and their baggage’s has been undertaken in the town situated at 5,742 ft in the Aravali ranges and sprawling over 5,000 acre.

According to deputy superintendent of police Chensingh Rajpurohit, "Besides regular police officials, additional force, including an inspector two sub-inspectors and 100 jawans have been deployed in wake of prevailing situation after Mumbai terror attacks." Closed Circuit TV cameras (CCTV s) have been installed at all important locations in the mountain town and intensive checking is being carried out at the very climbing point and also at toll collection point."

"Besides tight security, policemen in civil dress ate on the move at public places like Nakki Lake, Dilwara Jain temple and other tourist attractions too look out for mischief mongers," he said.

Hotels, which are doing' brisk business, have been asked to install CCTV's at all important places in their premises. "No is allowed in the hotel without a valid identification," Rajpurohit added. Meanwhile, tourists continue to swarm Mount Abu; braving cold and chilly winds. The three-day Sharad Utsav (winter festival) jointly organized by Rajasthan Tourism and Mount Abu NagarPalika also got off to a glittering start on Monday, Deputy director, Rajasthan Tourism, Udaipur, Sumita Saroj said, "Skating, 'mehndi' and rangoli competitions are some of the major attractions in the festival. A 'Lagan' cricket match of 20 overs played on Tuesday stole the show."

According to municipality chairman Jalamgiri, “ As many as 45,000 tourists are already on the hills and number is increasing daily. At present, the night and morning temperatures are being recorded in minus."

MountAbu has turned into a favourite destination for newly-wed couples too. If NRI couple Pranav and Rohini experienced a memorable winter of their life, Maunas and Shital from Panipat in Haryana said they want to visit this place every year.

Winter Festival 2008, Invitation Card and Program Schedule:

It is the month of Saturnalia, month of Hecate, month of Yuletide and even the month when Busho would have told of, "Lighting one candle/ from another/ winter night", while Garofalo would have moaned of, "Bitter wind/ autumn cold/ shivering lips" and someone would have exulted, "December sunrise/ the wind tries to deliver/ all of the postman's letters"! And for Mount Abu, it is time for the winter festival once again that promises vivid, vibrant renderings, juxtaposing purpose with pleasure.

The festivities will kick off on December 29 at 9 am with performers from across the country painting the hill resort with melody from their region, diverse raiment and traditional accessories. The streets of Mount Abu will don a festive look during this period. While shehnais will be played at, the toll barrier, their melody reaching every corner, the Army band will play every evening. Amid all this, a variety of contests will take place, including a cricket match with the proverbial Lagaan clash between visitors and administrators, on December 30. Gaiety and sobriety are assured to be hugging each other ili the best of bonhomie! While Indian Idols will rock the nights of December 30 and 31, santoor savouries and Sufi strains will intone their serene mist of calm in the cold of December! The former will be rendered by Dr Varsha Agarwal,the sole lady santoor maestro and the latter by Parveen Rangeeli.

Indeed, a tulle-fog would fill the sky, singing - 'Auld Lang Syne' to joyously bid farewell to the past and herald the new with the hope of peace and prosperity for one and all!

- An Article By : Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma, Mount Abu via Times Of India