Mt. Abu

---

Mt. Abu

Gujaratis (People of Gujarat – India) are fond of travelling and during any major festival or vacation in any and every tourist spot in India you will find Gujaratis.

Unfortunately, Gujarat does not have a good hill station. Saputara (South Gujarat) is supposed to be in Gujarat geographically, it is closer to Maharashtra. It does not have the climate or infrastructure to be a good hill station. Mt. Abu, officially in the State of Rajasthan, is the favorite destination for a weekend outing for the Gujaratis.

Any season is good to visit Mt Abu, except peak summer. In winters you can enjoy zero degree temperature, in monsoon you can experience clouds passing through your hotel room or through your car. Summers do get hot (35 degree Celsius) these days due to over crowding and commercialization.

Abu Road is the base station for Mt. Abu from where some 20 km of climb (40 min) to the hill station starts. Abu Road is about 210 km from Ahmedabad (3 ½ hrs) via Mehsana-Palanpur. The road is excellent. Many Gujaratis use Ahmdabad-Himmatnagar-Khedbrahma-Ambaji-Abu Road (same distance but 4 ½ hrs) route. Ambaji is a major pilgrimage centre of Gujarat – seat of Goddess Amba.

At Mt Abu you better stay in a remote hotel away from the main bazaar or just on the banks of the Nakki Lake provided you get a room facing the lake. Do not take a hotel near Bus Stop. It is too busy and noisy.

Choice of food is available – provided you know the right place to go to.

Boating in Nakki lake is fun if season is good and is not overcrowded. Climb the toad-rock. Climbing is not very difficult (although steps are not well maintained) and view from the top is worth the climb.

Sun-set-point and Anadara Point – both are for viewing sun-set. Reach well in advance to secure a good spot. Viewing experience will depend on the climate and haze in the atmosphere.

Gurushikhar is the highest peak in Mt. Abu and is about 45 min drive from the main area. Road is treacherous. On way to Gurushikhar are Adhdhar Devi, Shanti Van (of Brahmakumaris) and Achalgadh.

Delwada Jain Temples are the best example of carving in marble you will find anywhere in the world. Having escaped from Muslim raiders in the past millennium, they are now being protected from tourists by limiting the entry to just three hours a day (12 noon to 3 pm). Photography now-a-days is not permitted.

Several jungle-treks are available.

Avoid peak season and select a good pair of shoes to enjoy Mt. Abu!

---

Comments

[Ritika]

My Trip - My Expi
Your post on Mount Abu is good.But I want to share my experience too here.Last year December I have visited Darjeeling & stayed there at Windamere Hotel.So my Christmas was spent with Windamere & it was a rocking experience.The ice capped beauty,the sunrise,the nature beauty - life time experience for me.

[drjgbuch]

Thank you!
You are absolutely right! Mt Abu cannot be compared with Darjeeling...