Trip to Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Mt Abu-22nd Oct-27th Oct Day 5

  Trip to Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Mt Abu-22nd Oct-27th Oct Day 5

Day 5-Mt Abu

On the 5^th day we visited  the Brahmakumari campus. At the base of Mount Abu, just before Abu Road begins its climb up Mount Abu, lies a big complex, the third Brahma Kumaris campus, Shantivan. This sprawling collection of buildings was built in response to University's ever–growing world–transforming activities in the area of spiritual education and training.I had not heard of Brahmakumari till the others in the group updated me. There is a big hall where lectures, seminars, workshops on peace are conducted. Someone who is really into spirituality might be interested to sit and listen. We sat for some 10 minutes and came out as we had other places to visit as well.

Next on the list was the famous Dilwara temple. Dilwara Jain Temples is one of the finest Jain temple known world over for its extraordinary architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings, some experts also consider it architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal. It showcases the extraordinary work of human craftsmanship at its best. These temples were built between 11th to 13th century AD.The carvings on the celings and pillars are amazing. Dilwara temples is also a popular Jain pilgrimage attraction. Dilwara Temple complex consist of five major sections or temples devoted to five jain trithankaras(saints):

1.       Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple

2.       Shri AdiNath Temple or Vimal Vasahi Temple

3.       Shri ParshavNath Temple or Khartar Vasahi Temple

4.       Shri Rishabdaoji Temple or Peethalhar Temple

5.      Shri NemiNathJi Temple or Luna Vasahi Temple -

One is not allowed to take cameras and mobiles inside hence could not take any snaps. But I just loved the calm, peaceful, serene  atmosphere in the temple.

After Dilwara, we went on our way towards Guru Shikhar. Guru Shikhar, a peak at an altitude of 5,676 feet is the highest point in Rajasthan. It is located at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu. One can get a panoramic view of the surroundings. This peak is the home to the temple of Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the peak is called Guru Shikhar after him as Guru Dattatreya had dignified this place and his footprints are sanctified here in a rock in a cave. Foot prints of swami Ramanath are also here who enshrined the statue in Raghnathji temple in Abu. The steps are kind of steep to climb. There are arrangements of palkis for those who find it difficult to climb.It took us some 1 hour to climb and come down and we also had to make an alternate arrangements for another vehicle to take us there as our driver was not ready to take his nw vehicle on top. Mentally we made a note of the amount that neess to be deducted from the total payment due for transport. On the way we stopped in between as the driver showed us the spot where the famous movie “ Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” was shot.We clicked a few pictures there too.

Near to Guru Shikhar is Achalgarh, situated eleven kilometers north of Mount Abu has a beautiful Shiva temple showcasing many striking features. Achalgarh  Shiva Temple at Achalgarh near Mt. Abu in Rajasthan is a very famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place is also renowned for some other colorful Jain temples offering splendid views. Achalgarh Shiva Temple in Mount Abu boasts a number of appealing features ,including what is said to be a toe of Shiva, as well as a brass Nandi (Shiva's vehicle, a bull) and, where the Siva Lingum would normally be, there is a deep hole that is said to extend all the way down to the underworld. Just outside the Mount Abu Achalgarh Shiva temple adjoining the car park three stone buffaloes stand around a tank, while the shape of a King shoots at them with his bows and arrows. According to the mythological belief, the tank was once filled with ghee, but demons, in the form of buffalos came down and polluted the ghee until the king shot them.

One The way , there is another Brahmakumari  maintained place called  Peace Park .The park is huge and lovely . We need to keep walking from one park  to another park till it leads us to the exit. THE Park is nestled between two famous peaks of the Aravali hills–the well known spiritual pilgrimage destinations of Guru Shikhar and Achal Garh.


 



 

It was already evening and hence we had to cancel our climb to Arbuda Devi temple which has some 365 steps to the cave temple .As it was 4:30 already we decided to go to the Sunset Point famous for the sunset view.  Lying south west of Nakki Lake, Sunset point is one of the most popular tourist point in Mount Abu. This viewpoint gets crowded by tourists at the time of sunset. One can go pony riding to the top, or sit on a wheel trolley type or walk up to the top. One can enjoy the orange-coloured sun setting behind the Aravali Ranges. After enjoying a nice sunset view. One can shop for souvenirs from the shops near the point like trinkets, wooden toys, marble statues, sandalwood idols and customised keychains and name plates etc. I picked up a few stuff from there. It was already late and we came back to our guesthouse that we had booked for the second day.

Trip to Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Mt Abu-22nd Oct-27th Oct Day 4

Trip to Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Mt Abu-22nd Oct-27th Oct 

     Day 4-Haldighati

On the 4^th day we decided to go on a historical tour , the famous Haldighati and Rana Pratap and his stallion , Chetak. Haldighati is around 40 km from Udaipur. Haldighati is famous for the historic Battle of Haldighati, which took place in the year 1576 AD between Rana Pratap Singh, the great Hindu Rajput ruler of Mewar in Rajasthan and Raja Man Singh of Amber, the great general of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. 

This battle is considered as one of the most significant events in the history of the Rajputs, and this battle was also one of the shortest battles in Indian history, which lasted for only 4 hours. Today, the Haldighati pass, in which the battle took place, stands as a tourist spot, with great memoirs of Raja Rana Pratap Singh and his brave horse Chetak. In this battle his horse , Chetak took Rana Pratap  and then breathed his last . The battle's result is considered indecisive or it can be considered as a temporary victory for the Mughals. The battle was "a glorious defeat" for Mewar. Pratap's army was defeated but Pratap organised another attack, known as the Battle of Dewar, in which the Mewar army was victorious. This is what we learnt when we enter the museum built for Rana Pratap. There is an auditorium which takes us through on how the battle was fought. The entire tour will take at least an hour and a half .Post which we strolled around the huge place and sat down for lunch . There is a small man made pond where one can go boating.There is also a memorial built for Chetak. Post lunch we bade goodbye to Udaipur and started our journey towards Mount Abu.

 

 

Mt Abu is some close to 4 hours drive from Haldighati and we left early as the driver was hesitant to drive the vehicle in the hills in the evening. We thought we would reach the place by 5.30- 6 pm but  we actually reached there close to 7.30 -8 pm. The hiils are steep and one needs to drive carefully in the night. Also the driver kind of scared us by saying that few days back because of the rain , there was a landslide and the roads were damaged. We could in between see the damaged roads and in some places there was no railings for safety . But we were gad to reach to the top safely. Our hotel was booked .We checked in and were hungry but as we had only breakfast and bed option decided to go out and have dinner and see a little bit of Mt Abu. The place was not so cold as I had imagined. Maybe because winter had not started. Well we strolled out and our Aunty  , famous by now for shopping anywhere anytime started her work here too. The market closes off early. There is a Tibetian market where one can pick up good stuff. We sat down for dinner and ordered some snacks as we were not so hungry. By the time we finished dinner , it was already around 10 pm. We slowly walked down towards our hotel and our rooms and retired for the night as we had a big list of places to see the next day.

Trip to Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Mt Abu-22nd Oct-27th Oct Day 3

Day 3

 

On the 3rd day, we had made a list the previous night to see the following places ie Monsoon Palace/ Sajjan Garh Palace, City Palace etc .In fact were just discussing that the guide who showed us around the previous night will not turn up seeing the bickering 7 ladies. Well we were half right as that guide did not turn up but another guide with a sweet smile greeted us and told us that he will take us around. We  were not keen but just checked how much he will charge for showing us around . And because he told us a nominal rate for a half day sightseeing we hired him. He first took us to Monsoon Palace. The Monsoon Palace, also known as the Sajjan Garh Palace, is a hilltop palatial residence in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan in India, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake. In Fact our driver had to take us there. But he had his own nakhras and refused to take us insisting that his owner had told him very clearly not to take the vehicle in the steep area. We were totally pissed off and had to call my friend to sort out the matter as we were paying even for the vehicle. After 15-20 minutes when  we were not getting any solution we finally decided to book another vehicle to take us to the top .The charges were for the vehicle and per person entry to the palace. It is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh of the Mewar Dynasty, who built it in 1884. The palace offers a beautiful view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside . One can view the Aravalli’s mountain of the West region. It was built chiefly to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. As per the guide the Maharaja had 5 queens who stayed in the palace. After seeing the palace and taking snaps, the guide took us to an Sajjan Art school. The miniature paintings were really good .The colours used are from natural stones which stays fresh for many years. After admiring the painting but buying none, we moved on.

 

The next we went was Shilpgram which is very similar to Delhi Haat, in Delhi. Situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. The Rural Arts and Crafts Complex showcases the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone. Within this complex, huts of the member states are constructed incorporating traditional architectural features of different geographical and ethnic groups residing within the West Zone of India comprising of five Federal States ie Maharashtra, Gujarat,  Rajasthan, Goa. Here   folk dances, puppet shows are conducted for the visitors who drop in. Was a lovely experience. Oh yes! One can try out the traditional outfits and get your snaps taken at a price. I just loved my photos taken in the traditional attire.

 

 

Post Shilpgram,we stopped for lunch  and all ordered for Thali . We decided to visit City Palace as we also had to go to the ropeway in the evening. City Palace, Udaipur, is a palace complex in Udaipur, in the Indian state Rajasthan. It is located on the east bank of the Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex. Udaipur was the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar .The City Palace in Udaipur is considered the largest of its type in Rajasthan, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, and was built on a hill top that gives a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding, including several historic monuments such as the Lake Palace in Lake Pichola, the Jag Mandir on another island in the lake, the Jagdish Temple close to the palace, the Monsoon Palace on top of an overlooking hillock nearby and the Neemacha Mata temple. The tour took us 1 hour inside the palace . One can view all the cutlery, cars , coins etc.


 
 




It was already 5 pm .We took some light snacks and went to buy tickets for the ropeway. One needs to wait according to the crowd for their turn to take them to the top which is a5-10 minutes ride. One can really get a nice view from the top of the city palace and Udaipur and a beautiful sunset. The top has Karni Mata temple. We paid our homage and spent some time in the place. It was around 8 that we reached back to the hotel. After getting freshened up we went out again to have dinner and shop, shop and shop till we dropped. One can buy beautiful lehengas, sarees, bangles , jootees etc and we all  picked up stuff from the local market near Clock tower.