Mount
Abu is one of the popular jain pilgrimage sites. The road to
paradise has never been easy and this one is no exception. Bumping along an
uneven road, hitting your head against the smooth roof of a deluxe bus you
need to close your eyes and revive the temptations of your destination.
Conjure up the lushness of Mount Abu, which all tourist guides
announce is 'the paradise of Rajasthan'. The little pamphlet gushes that
Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, offers you the best
of all possible worlds, with more scenic beauty, more architecture and
archaeology in the form of the famous Dilwara caves, the chief center for
the Brahmakumaris and a generous peppering of temples which shows that the
place is exceptionally favored by the gods. Abu has been an important place
of penance for the sages.
As the anticipation of the approaching
destination heightens one doesn't mind the shaking bus quite that much and
as you turn the final curve into the city, greeted by large hoardings of
different hotels, all promising better deals than the other, Rajasthan's
little jewel puts its best foot forward. The shops on both sides of the road
are glitteringly alive, as late as 10 p.m. on a winter night and the
residents of Mount Abu mob you in welcome. Well not exactly the residents it
turns out, they are all touts for hotels but they make you feel welcome. In
case it is a winter trip that you are planning, one can just arrive in Abu,
at any time of the night or day, employ a wheelbarrow, which will take your
luggage all over Abu for few rupees while you check out a place to stay.
This
is, in fact the best time to visit if the cold does not bother you too much
(it is usually warmer than a Delhi winter). All hotels are available at half
rates and the best of rooms can be yours for a rate that suits your budget.
Abu in summer is definitely a retreat from the heat of
the plains. A summer visit requires careful planning, and rooms
should be booked at least two months in advance. Everything, from hotels to
restaurants, to transport is at double the rates, and beware of the new
monster - the Marti's, in every color which cover the landscape and race
pugnaciously around the hills. Yet, the little township is well prepared to
handle tourists. Tourist buses show you around the places of interest twice
a day and the bus guide provides a background, history and of course his own
interpretations on everything you visit. Information is also available from
a tourist guide office, but even without guidance there are certain places
that simply cannot be missed on a visit to Abu.
| » Major
Attractions of Mount Abu |
Dilwara
Jain Temples : The Dilwara Jain temples for instance, have been
compared to the Taj Mahal for their sheer elegance and beauty in marble.
Built between the 11th and 13th century, these temples are all the more
exceptional because the marble to build these was brought all the way from
Makrana and the best workmen and craftsmen employed to ensure the finest
quality of sculpture.
Intricate carvings decorate each portion of
these temples, which are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. Millions of
rupees were spent on the carvings, architecture and décor of the
temples and the workmen were rewarded in silver and gold equivalent to the
amount of marble brought in.
Nakki Lake : In the
heart of the town, at one end of the Mall is Nakki Lake, which has an
interesting history. It is said that it was drawn by the finger nails (nakk)
of a sage, Balam Rasia, in response to the demands of the stepmother of the
girl he wished to marry. The girl, a princess, and a daughter of the then
King of Abu, was also in love with the sage, but because of the evil
stepmother the affair ended in tragedy, and has been immortalized in a
temple of the Kunwari Kanya, alongside which stands a statue of her lover.
The lake too, has survived to tell the tale. Picturesquely set,
with the hills rising all around it, the lake has several islets to which
you can hire boats. An interesting facet is the many rock formations around
the lake. They have been named Toad Rock, Nun Rock, Nandi Rock and Camel
Rock because of their resemblance to these figures. The road appears to be
looking broodingly down towards the lake, as if contemplating jumping in.
Nun Rock is a large smooth rock, as it supposedly looks a woman with a veil.
The climb up to these rocks, through the wooded forests is a beautiful one,
with each of the rocks on the way making unique formations, fissures and
shapes.
Gaumukh Temple : A natural spring
flowing through a sculpted cow’s head gives the shrine its name.The
famous ‘yagna’ of sage Vashishtha was performed here. A
beautifully sculpted hill temple of Arbuada-the mighty serpent stands
against the beautiful backdrop. Nearby is the magnificent marble image of
Nandi, the celestial bull rescued by Arbuada.
Adhar
Devi Temple : The temple of Durga built in a natural cleft in the rocks
having 365 steps is also situated at a very panoramic view point in the
hilly resort. The doors to the entrance are very low and one has to stoop
down to get through the opening gates of the temple.
Brahmakumari
Spiritual University & Museum : The Spiritual University teaches
that all religions are equal and each and every form of respect to the god
leads to him only and not elsewhere. The University preaches peace through
imparting spiritual knowledge and yoga meditation. Having over 4500
branches, the University is headquartered at Mt Abu and the white clad
Brahma Kumaris can be seen moving here and there.
| » Places to
Stay in Mount Abu |
A number of options, according to the budget allocation of the
tourists, are available in Abu. The accommodation level ranges from a highly
luxurious hotel to a dormitory. But rooms should be booked well in advance
if willing to visit this exotic hill station during summer.
Curios in marble, sandalwood and sandstone can be bought from
the shops around Nakki Lake. Kota saris, bangles and linen with Sanganeri
prints are also available. For Rajasthani Handicrafts there is Rajasthali,
Rajasthan Government Handicrafts Emporium and Khadi Bhandar.
Air : Nearest airports are Udaipur and
Ahmedabad.
Rail : The nearest railway station
is Abu Road (29-km) situated on Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Ajmer-Jaipur-Delhi route.
From Abu Road one can take a taxi, jeep or bus to Mount Abu.
Road : Mount Abu is linked with Udaipur and Ahmedabad by
road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local
transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
