Mount Abu , a hill station and tourist attraction in Rajasthan, is situated on the Aravalli Ranges. It is an ideal outing for people who want a short break and want to get away from the hectic city life.
Too much of studies and too many assignments which had kept us cloistered in our campus for too long, made us pack our bags and set out for Mt.Abu from Ahmedabad.The all girls party of three took a night bus and reached Mt.Abu in the early morning . From Ahmedabad, it is a journey of around seven hours by a bus.There are bus services from other cities of Rajasthan, Gujarat and even Mumbai, which takes one to this romantic hill spot. For people who are coming from other far flung places is to take a train till Abu Road and then take a bus to Mount Abu.
Mount Abu is clearly a destination for many tourists , considering the number of hotels and guest houses, so you are sure to find accomodation of your choice. The three of us also managed to do that at some ungodly hour of the morning, when the sun had not risen! Well...now a piece of advice from an experienced soul...please carry adequate number of woolens with you if you are visiting Mt.Abu. We, in our show of bravado..or glory of young blood..or whatever reason it was, did not wear socks and hence almost felt as if the feet were no longer a part of our body as they became numb with cold! So beware...and carry enough clothes with you. So now you all know what was the first purchase at Mt Abu...a pair of socks of course!
Now, for the places to visit. I suggest that on the first day do not take a guided tour and just walk around on your own, unwind yourself and relax!It feels wonderful to feel the fresh air , to walk down gentle undulating slopes and feel the warm sun as you lift your face towards the sky. It is a small place and to see some of the spots you do not need to take any transport and it is better to stroll down . One of these spots is the beautiful Nakki Lake which is surrounded by hills on all sides . You can try out boating in the lake for sometime. From there, you can walk to a place called ’Toad Rock’. This spot is located on top of a hill and the huge rock which juts out from the hill is amazingly shaped like a toad and hence the name! You have to climb up some 60 odd steps to reach the top . Looking up at the rock, one is reminded of the forces of time and nature, which has over the ages carved the rock into such a intriguing shape.
A place which is not to be missed is the Jain temple, Delwara Mandir, built for the Jain Tirthankars. This is a sheer work of skill, labour and artistry that will leave you agape. The inside is built of marble and the carvings on the ceilings and the pillars are so exquisite and so intricate that it is hard to believe that human hands carved these over 900 years ago. You cant do anything but marvel and appreciate the effort put in. There are five temples, each as beautiful as the other.It is interesting to hear about the stories behind the building of these temples and how some parts were destroyed during the invasion of Alauddin Khilji and have been restored later.It is amazing to see that no two designs on the ceiling are the same!
Another must see spot is the highest peak of the Aravallis, Guru Shikar , which is above 5000 ft.After the bus drops you , one has to climb another 100 odd steps to get to the peak.There is also a small temple at the summit.One feels as if one is at the top of the world...everything around is below you...you feel as if you can fly off like a bird..the air is a little rare too. The feeling of being in another world is enhanced more when you look at an Observatory ...a white dome-shaped structure with a road leading up to it on the other side of the hill.Out of bounds for the public, it looks like one of those ’research stations’ in spy novels!
One of the most romantic spots in Mt.Abu is Sunset Point. Sitting on top of a cliff, you see the sun coming down from the sky...become red and then sink below until it cant be seen anymore , leaving behind a sudden chill , is one of my most cherished memories of the place.
Apart from these spots, there are some other temples like Andhar Devi , where one has to climb up nearly 300 steps! The place is also a shopping hub-bub. The streets are lined with shops which sell anything from ethnic Rajasthani wear to scultures, stautes and the most modern shoes and caps! There are also numerous places to eat!
The hill station is a hot favorite for honeymoon couples , looking at the number of newly weds around! But its a nice gateway for families and friends alike. BEing situated on the age old Aravallis range, Mt.Abu is not situated as high as the hill stations of the Himalayas, but yet it has a strange charm of its own.There are no tall pine trees or very sharp gorges, there are too many people, yet one can fall in love with this small hamlet, with so much of history to talk of!
And if nothing else, Mt.Abu does test your fitness level!It brings back colour on the cheeks and if you do too much of huffing and puffing while climbing up all those steps...you know what you definitely need to do once you get back to the city!!