Mt
abu is Rajasthan's only hills station sprawls along a 1200 metre high
plateau in the
sough of the state close to the Gujarati border. It's a pleasant
hot-season retreat from the plains for both Rajasthan and Gujarat, but
you won't find many Western travellers here apart from those who come to
study at the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University. The predominantly
Indian visitors include many honeymooners. Mt Abu's places is easy going
and relaxed.
Connaught
House: Rajasthan's only hill resort is Mount Abu, built around the
vast Nakki Lake, Here, members of the royal families and their prominent
courtiers built summer cottages. Connaught House was built by the chief
minister in the durbar of Hodhpur, and is planned in the English style,
a sylvan retreat set in a garden-the perfect place to
unwind.
Kesar
Bhawan Palace: Built by the Sirohi family, and one of the oldest
places in their summer resort, it exemplifies the architecture of the
region, with corridors all around, and private pavilions with each of
its 10 rooms. The Sirohi family were the original inhabitants of Mount
Abu before it was thrown up as a summer resort for all families under
British dominion.
Nakki
Lake
Virtually
in the center of Mt Abu the small lake takes its name form the legend
that it was scooped out by a god, using only his nails or nakk.
Museum
& Art Gallery : Although it's not very interesting, the museum
opposite the GPO, does have some items from archaeological excavations
which date from the 8th to 12th centuries as well as Jain Bronzes,
carvings, brass work and local textiles.
Dilwara
Temple: These Jain temples are Mt Abu's main attraction and amongst
the finest examples of Jain architecture in India. The compels includes
tow temples in which the are of carving marble reached unsurpassed
heights.
Place
to Stay: There are plenty of hotels to choose from with new ones
being opened all the time. Most are along or just off the main road
through to Nakki Lake. The high season lasts from mid-March to
mid-November.
Place
to Eat:
Near
the bus stand, the Kanak Dining Hall is good place to eat. It's very
clean and offer excellent suuth Indian vegetarian dishes and tasty
lunchtime thalis.
Other
Brahma
Kumaris Spiritual University, Boats, Pony Hire, Maharaja of Jaipur's Old
Summer Palace, Brahmar Kumari's Museum, Shanti Sadan.
