Ahmedabad - Mount Abu - Udaipur

Trip date: 13 to 18 Jan 2016

Trip Plan : Chennai - Ahmedabad - Mount Abu - Haldigati - Udaipur - Ahmedabad - Chennai

We reached Ahmedabad by Air Costa flight earlier in the morning - around 8 AM. We took a cab from the airport for 8 hours - 8 kms. It was costlier than what could have been cheaper if booked from outside; but, was ok as I am interested in few different tries than my usual methods.

The driver was quite helpful - thankfully; and took us first to a restaurant for breakfast - South Indian restaurant - tasted Idlis and dosas - neither bad nor native; but gave enough zeal for the rest of the day. The Hathee Singh Jain temple was the first destination. It is serene and calm temple and took us 20 minutes to worship and go around the temple. There is a 170 year old lamp that is glowing still in the sanctum beneath the main sanctum. No photographs are allowed inside the temple - however from outside, possible.

Next, we went to Sabarmati Ashram - an excellent location on the front of Sabarmati temple - no wonder why Gandhiji selected this place. This is where most of the important meetings towards freedom with international and national leaders have been done. One would need around 30-45 minutes to spend here and may extend based on the degree of interest in history.

We started Day-2 from Ahmedabad and reached Abu road around 1:15 PM. We went by train to Abu road from Ahmedabad - Ajmer intercity express. Mount Abu is 28 kms from Abu road and there are lot of cabs available in railway station. We paid Rs.500 to reach the hotel - reserved at Hotel Maganjis; however they missed our booking and gave us in their alternate property - Hotel Saraswati - which was not upto what Maganjis was for. Without wasting time, we had a quick lunch in the restaurant in the hotel itself and started for sightseeing. Our driver to Mount Abu - Sonu bhai was quite informative and the car - Etios was very comfortable. We extended him for the rest of the sightseeing for Rs.800.

We first visiting the headquarters of Brahmakumaris - it was a pleasant visit and we meditated for few minutes inside. The visit was for 20 minutes and we are back. The next place we visited was Mahadev temple on the way to Dilwara temple. The Mahadev temple hosts 5 lingas and locally famous for the pond that hosts colourful fishes. We spent around 20 minutes here. We then visited Aadar Devi temple. We were not sure whether we had enough time to cover other important places and most importantly sunset point at sunset ! So, we sited the temple from the hill bottom and moved on. One would need around 75 minutes to go up and come back. Might be difficult for elders. Next was the most important of all - Dilwara Jain Temples. No camera and mobile phones are allowed here. So, leave all your electronic belongings in the car itself. Since it is winter, wearing socks is suggested in this place. The whole temple is built of marbles and it is so cold here. The Marble stone cutting and carving work are splendid and no wonder why people visit Mount Abu. This is the major attraction and it is worth spending 2 hours in the temple. The sculpting work is extraordinary. The temple is around 3 kms from Mount Abu; we bought some photo souvenirs of the art work outside; since no photography is allowed. Guru Shikhar is the highest point in Rajasthan; 15 km from main Mount Abu; climb to this high spot is an adventure in itself; we did not visit this place.

On the way back, we just visited Nakki Lake. This is in the centre of town - boating is available here.

Sunset point - it was almost 17:30 and sunset was expected around 18:00. It is a 1+ km walk, almost a trek for elders and children to reach the point from the parking area. There are horses and small petty vehicles for transporting people. They charge Rs.50/adult and Rs.30/children one way.

There is appreciable crowd here and no wonder - the sunset is quite beautiful. It gets cold as the sun sets. So, plan your visit accordingly and carry winter clothing.

We reached Haldighati around 11 AM. The first place is the Maharana Pratap Museum. They charge Rs.10 for adult and Rs.5 for children as entry fees. The place runs specified time videos and audio driven models depicting the history of Maha Rana Pratap and the Mewar dynasty. The whole place is full of information and luckily, we planned it on Day-1 of Udaipur. This helped us understand the whole history better and helpful in visiting Kumbhalghat and Chittorghat forts.

The entry tickets to the city palace are quite costly - Rs.250 for adults and camera and Rs.100 for child. So, be prepared for the same J . The palace displays the richness and the importance given to minute details in architecture and design during the older times. The roof garden with trees and the colourfully painted rooms are just simple examples of the same. One needs around 2-3 hours to see the palace. There is lots of shopping and local eateries all around and one can plan 1-2 hours for the same.

By 4:30 PM we were near Eklinji and the driver (Omkar - very polite and good) suggested to visit the temple and assured of no queues and nonsenses like Nathdwara. He was right and we did have a peaceful dharshan in the Eklinji temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva - 22 kms from Udaipur. There are lot of eateries around the temple as well. We then reached back the hotel by 6 PM after a tired day and did have candle light dinner at Mewar Haveli in the beauty of the lights and lake on the chilly night!

Again, a 8 AM start and the itinerary was just Chittorgarh fort - yes, it would consume the whole day. Chittorgarh fort is 120 kms from Udaipur - almost all on the highway - good roads. There are dhabhas on the highway and no issues for food.

Chittorgarh is living town inside a fort and the remains all around inside the wall. The Chittorgarh fort wall is claimed to be the second longest for Great Wall of China. The place has the ruined palaces, temples, huge arches and towers. Guides are available from the main entrance of the fort and all around. We took a guide for Rs.300. Main attractions to see in the fort are Rana Kumbha palace, Meera Bhai temple, Tower of Victory - Vijay Stambh, Tower of Fame - Kirti Stambh, Gaumukh Reservoir, Padmini Palace, a temple of Brahma-Vishu-Shiva in a single stone, Kalika Mata Temple, Seven Gates of the Fort and Main gate.

We started back to Udaipur and had lunch at Hotel Bagyodhay - a network of hotels. The food was yummy and tasty - served piping hot! We reached back hotel Mewar Haveli - enjoyed a sunset and a good dinner and ready to be back to Chennai.