Located at a distance of around 180 kms from the city of Udaipur is Mount Abu, the only hill station in the state of Rajasthan. It was once the summer capital of the Maharaja of Sirohi, a kingdom in the erstwhile Rajputana and is blessed with immense natural beauty.
An express highway connects Udaipur with Abu Road, the base town from where one has to take a hilly steep road to reach Mount Abu. The express highway which has 2 toll plazas, is very good and scenic (you even pass through 2 road tunnels cutting through hills) but the serpentine road from Abu Road taking you to Mount Abu is narrow and the climb up could become a little tricky in case you encounter a bus descending from the hill station. The rocky forested hill on one side and the deep gorge on the other are a part of a protected wildlife area which has a wide variety of flora and fauna. On your way up the mountainous terrain, you encounter large number of monkeys and langaurs, lining up one side of the narrow road and waiting for the passers-by to offer tit bits to them.
Mount Abu has a plethora of accommodations to choose from depending upon your budget and locational preferences with reference to proximity to the tourist attractions like the Nakki Lake and the main market. Some great options could be guest houses like Hotel Vinayak, budget hotels like Hotel Chanakya and premium hotels like Palanpur Palace, Hilltone or HG Grandiose to name a few. The serene small hill station has many things to look forward to, a top 10 of which I am listing as under.
1) Nakki Lake
The lake is the heart and the center of attraction of Mount Abu. Located just a kilometer from the city center, the lake with its many boats, shops lined along the narrow main entry road, eateries, parks, a huge hot air gas balloon and an enormous statue of Mother India on the bank offers a picturesque setting. A boat ride on the lake and a lazy walk around the lake are just the things to indulge in to chill out and admire the beauty of the place.
2 ) Dilwara Jain Temples
About 3kms north-east of Nakki Lake lie the world famous Dilwara Jain Temples. The temple complex which has 5 temples looks nothing extraordinary from the exterior but wait till you enter them. The exquisite intricate carvings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the temples are just mind blowing and depict the magic that the craftsmen of a bygone era created in white marble. The marble temples have been built over many centuries with the oldest one constructed circa 1021 AD and the latest one circa 1459 AD.
3) Temple of Shri Somnath Mahadev, Sant Sarovar
Enroute to the Dilwara Temples is this relatively new temple in which Lord Shiva is the main deity. Set in a serene surrounding, the temple premise also has a pond, Sant Sarovar, which is full of red colored fishes. Try feeding the fishes and see how they clamor up to the surface of the water.
4) Achalgarh fort and Achleswar Temple
Beyond the Dilwara Temples about 10kms from the main city lay the ruins of the Achalgarh fort. The fort or whatever of it still remains offers a great view but is in a very dilapidated condition. The main attractions here are the Achleswar temple located just outside the fort, its surrounding completely dried up Mandakini pond with 3 stone buffaloes, an ancient ruined palace and myths about the place. The Achleshwar temple has 2 big stone elephants at the entrance and a 4 ton enormous sitting bull- Nandi made of panchdhatu (five metals) just inside. The lingam in this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is unique in the sense that it is inverted representing the toe of the deity and not straight as found in other places.
5) Guru Shikhar
This, the highest point in the Aravali ranges at 1722 metres above sea level, is at a distance of around 15 kms from Mount Abu. The road leading to Guru Shikhar is very scenic, narrow & winding and ends at the steps that lead you up to the summit. There are many stalls that are lined up on both sides of the steps which sell bottled water, snacks, paintings and even showpieces. On the summit is a cave that has the footprints of Guru Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and also a large iron bell that is suspended from a wooden framework. The view from the top is something to behold forever.
6) Brahmakumari Peace Park
Nestled between Achalgarh and Guru Shikhar on the way to Guru Shikhar, is this beautiful park maintained by the Brahmakumaris, a religious sect. The entry to the park is only allowed after you go through a small interactive orientation session given by a Brahmakumari practitioner. The park itself has a variety of flowers, plants, shrubs and trees and is a lush paradise. There is also a meditation cave and a hall that conducts laser shows propagating the preaching of the Brahmakumaris, within the park.
7) Trevor's Tank
On your descent back to Mount Abu from Guru Shikhar, Achalgarh and the Peace Park, before you reach the Dilwara Temples, on the right side is the entry to the densely forested area of Trevor's Tank named after the British engineer who built it. It is a great spot if you are a wild life enthusiast and has many vantage points from which you can watch the varied fauna in their natural habitat.
8) Adhar Devi Temple
Further down the road about 3 kms from the city is the Adhar Devi temple which is in a cave on top of a hill. There are 365 steps leading to the temple that is dedicated to an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The climb up the hill to the temple is quite exhausting but worth the effort.
9) Sun Set Point
A scenic spot about 2.5kms from the city centre, this is a place which exposes you to a spectacular display of natural beauty as the Sun sets. One has to walk about a kilometer up the hill to reach the Sun Set point and secure a vantage point. The walk up the hill is pleasant but if you are averse to walking then there other options for you as well. You could probably take a horse ride or could even take a cart ride which is pushed by an attendant. The view of the setting Sun from the Sun Set point is magnificent but the thronging masses sometime mar its charm to a certain extent.
10) Food
Mount Abu has wide range of cuisines on offer though Gujarati cuisine dominates others. Many eateries on the main road itself serve wonderful vegetarian fare. The Kanak Dining Hall offers you wonderful Gujarati thalis along with Rajasthani and Punjabi dishes and others like Honest restaurant and Arbuda restaurant remain crowded most of the times. Famed for its non-vegetarian dishes, the original Sher-e-Punjab restaurant in the main market has a variety of Mughlai and Punjabi delicacies, Street side stalls like Sankhlaji's Omelette, opposite the bus stand, give you a great breakfast of Omelettes and the Italian dishes of Cincini café are a gastronomical delight.
Mount Abu is something of a utopia and you have to be here to actually experience it and after you experience it be sure to cherish some lovely memories for life!