On cloud nine at Mount Abu

Glorious sunset at Mount Abu

After-glow of the sunset at Sunset Point

We had looked forward to visiting Mount Abu for its famed Dilwara Temples and scenic beauty, since a decade. Just being there gave us a high. Reaching the highest point in Mt. Abu, Guru Shikhar, with a beautiful Lord Dattatreya's temple, perched on a majestic huge rock, took us straightaway to seventh heaven! So this was heavenly bliss! We could feel the Divine aura envelop us in its cozy warmth. We purchased beautiful, dirt-cheap, framed prints of exquisite Rajasthani, miniature paintings as mementoes of our visit. We bought a set of 8 paintings titled, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa, after each note of the classical music, which were (according to the enthusiastic salesman), to be hung on the wall, in that particular sequence only, shaped like the high and low keys of the harmonium!

Our hearts were already singing in unison! A snap clicked by our affable, smart, tourist guide, is treasured by us. It shows us in ethnic splendor, a Rajasthani ensemble complete with baubles and other accessories like the odhni and turban. Hubby and I resemble a local Rajasthani couple, in all that traditional finery.
But one has to be really fit to see Mount Abu as most of the places in our itinerary were located atop high hills, where one has to trek up and down hundreds of steep steps. Phew! As all of us managed to see all those places, our energetic guide declared that all of us were used to eating desi ghee, and were hence fit as fiddles! His certificate bolstered even the faint-hearted amongst us, like a fragile newly- wed bride and her over-solicitous husband!

Guru Shikhar - The highest point in Mt. Abu

Mount Abu is a small place which offers a variety of places for sight-seeing. All the points can be seen in a day. The people are friendly. The climate was just right, as we went there in the second week of February. It was chilly in the nights and morning and warm in the day-time.
The Nakki lake was bewitching with all its twinkling lights at night. A restaurant shaped like a motor launch, at the edge of that vast lake, added zing to the experience.

The Shree Ganesh Hotelwas clean and small, but the hearts of its owner and staff were large! The owner, Sri Kanaujiya went out of the way to make our stay comfortable. He provided us with tips for our itinerary, arranged a very reasonable sight-seeing trip at Rs. 100/- per head and gave us directions like a seasoned elderly person. He insisted on our seeing the beautiful Brahmakumari museum and Nakki lake. His son who ran the Baba’s cafeteria was smart and helpful. The cook and his assistant were two brothers. Helpful, cheerful, prompt, courteous, sincere and with a delightful sense of humor! We enjoyed our light-hearted banter with all of them over our meals. The tea that they served was out of this world!
No room service charges and fancy tariff rates assailed our senses here, as is generally the norm with big hotels. We felt very cozy and protected. The warmth of the people added to its homeliness. We wished that we could’ve stayed a little longer there. But, there is always a next time, isn’t it?

The highlight of our trip? The stroll up to the 'must-see', sunset point was tiring as well as invigorating. Tiring, because it was the last point to be seen that day, after all that ascent and descent; and invigorating because, we looked forward to that glorious much-talked about experience. Besides, the company of nubile young honeymooning couples, raucous families and sedate senior citizens, commuting in quaint hand-drawn sledge-like carriages, ponies or briskly walking towards the hill; was very lively. There was anticipation in the air. Would we see the sun in all its finery or miss it if it was shrouded in mist? All of us were on a mission at sunset point.

To see the brilliant golden orb turn orange, red and then suddenly vanish! Hawkers
vended stoles, hats and crunchy snacks. People, including myself, clicked the hills and surroundings, non-stop. Most of us saw the setting sun through our narrow camera lenses, and when we came to our senses, the sun had risen in The United States of America! As twilight set in along with the chill, we slowly made our way to the hotel. Suddenly, I turned around and saw the most beautiful scene there. Silhouttes of tourists, tall trees and the misty hills with just the after-glow of the sunset. Wow, here was the best snap, begging to be clicked! You bet, I obliged it!

Our worst experience while staying there?
It was appalling to see men lugging hand-drawn sledges filled with tourists, uphill to the Sunset point. Since the sledges were obviously too heavy, they had to literally run along with the sledges. Around 2 to 4 men were needed to pull the sledges. It was disheartening to see this inhuman practice still being followed in the 21st century. To add to their misery, people were haggling over the measly prices too! Yes, poverty abounds in India as does inhuman behavior. We could only hope that the Government does something radical to alleviate their lot.

The Majestic Ambaji Temple

We got an opportunity to visit Ambaji, a place about less than an hour from Abu Road Station. It boasts of a breath-taking, temple of the Goddess Durga and a ropeway to a hill-top shrine named Gabbar, which has an earthen lamp, burning eternally. The main road is a shopper's delight, especially for the ladies. Garments, accessories, artefacts, etc. catch one's fancy here. The 'Ambika dharamshala' attached to the temple complex is very reasonable, with rates starting from Rs. 200/- onwards. Delicious, unlimited meals can be had at the 'Ambika bhojanalay', at a 'peanuts' price' of Rs. 10/- No, I'm not joking. It's just too good to be true. This unique experience was peaceful and divine. We were filled with contentment. Our Rajasthan trip had been nicely rounded off by our unscheduled visit to this holy place of pilgrimage. Yes, all the Gods had blessed us and ushered us safely, throughout our journey. I am sure that I'll definitely visit Ambaji again, in the near future.
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The copyright of this travelogue and photographs is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

This travelogue has been published in the Spice Edition of Sakaal Times, dated 1st June, 2014.