Mount Abu Is An Oasis In Every Sense Of The Word.

If your tour of India''s desert state has left you exhausted and youd like nothing

better than a break from the heat and dust of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, the hill retreat set in sylvan forests may be just the place you need. Lying due west of Udaipur, about 185 km by road, this is the only hill station in Rajasthan (altitude 1200 m). Hotels in Mount Abu is a quiet place perfect for those who like sleepy holiday destinations. The town comes to life under the onslaught of Gujarati honeymooners, weekend crowds and pilgrims who come here to boat in the picturesque Nakki Lake, walk hand in hand, shop at the innumerable little stalls and drive up to see variations of the same theme from several popular viewpoints (including the inevitable Honeymoon Point!) where you get enchanting views of the landscape surrounding Mount Abu.

Shopping

The Nikki Lake Market is a popular shopping area in Mount Abu. Here you can pick up some great gift items- rajasthani paintings, belts, handbags and great leather items. To pick up typically Rajasthani items visit the Government run emporiums.

Events

A Summer Festival is held in Mount Abu every June amidst exuberant celebrations of festivities, tribal folk and classical music performances and an all-pervasive spirit of fun and merrymaking.

Night Out

Rajsthani food is very famous here. The traditional Daal-Baati-Churma is an an all time favourite of tourists visiting this region. Tourists can sample good Gujarati food as well in Mount Abu. Apart from the great local cuisine you will find enough restaurants that cater to the needs of those wanting a wider variety. Here you can enjoy South Indian, North Indian, Continental and Chinese food at lots of restaurants. Check out the small eateries at Nikki Market or try Kanak Dining Hall for delicious Gujarati food and Shere Punjab in the main bazaar area for authentic Punjabi food thats reasonably priced.

Sights

The piece de resistance of a visit to Mount Abu is undoubtedly the magnificent Dilwara Jain Temples , 5 km away. These marble temples are one of a kind in the world with very finely detailed intricate carvings. Two of the temples, the Vimal Vasahi (built in 1031, and the oldest) and Tejpal Temple (built in 1231), are especially exquisite and leave you spell bound. The carving here is so intricate and delicate that they appear to be made out of ivory rather than marble!

How to get there by Air

The closest airport is at Udaipur (185km) or Ahmedabad about 250km from Mount Abu.

How to get there by Rail

Abu Road is the nearest railhead, an hour''s drive away from Mount Abu and is connected to Delhi and Ahmedabad by good superfast and express trains.

How to get there by Bus

Easiest access to Mount Abu is by road from any city in Rajasthan or Ahmedabad in Gujarat via Udaipur.

Best time to Visit

The very best times to visit are between February and June or after the rains between September and December.

Hotels in Rajastan

Cama Rajputana, Jaipur House, Palace Hotel and Connought House are the finest Heritage Hotels in Mt. Abu. You will also find Deluxe Hotels like Hotel Aradhana, Hotel Hilliock, Hotel Hilltone and Mount Regency. For the budget travellers accommodation also exists in Hotel Prakash, Rising Sun Retreat and Lake Palace.

Nearby Places

The Ambaji Mata Temple in Ambaji is a popular pilgrimage for devotees. It is at a distance of 45 km from Mount Abu in the state of Gujarat. Achalgarh is a fort 11km away from Mount Abu. The fort was built by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE, one of the several forts built during his reign.The fort offers several scenic lookout points. Though the fort is not in great condition now it is worth a visit and also has some places around and about of historical significance. Achaleshwar Mahadeva is just out side the fort and the toe of Lord Shiva is worshipped here. A brass Nandi is also laceted here weighing a whooping four tonnes! A ten minute walk from Achalgarh will bring you to the beautiful Jain Temples that was built in 1513 CE. The picturesque Mandakini Lake is also in this area. The lake is surrounded by rocky hills with images of a Rajput King and buffaloes.

by: Vivek Grover

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