"But I have been pouring out my heart to you in the hope that you would understand me", I screamed in desperation. "Well, don't you get it Angela, we were just dating, so why so serious!?" shouted the voice at the other end of the phone, knocking some sense into me...!
'If only my linear mind could see what was coming?' I thought to myself. "So is this the end of the road for both of us?" I asked, trying not to lose my composure. "That's not what I meant", he sounded exasperated as if I still missed the point. "We may... or we may not.. meet up in the future!" I was numb.
Oh! I feel sick... I need to focus...
Previous blog post- 4 days tour: White Rann of Kutch by private car
I could not bear to stay in Ahmedabad any longer. The earliest available train to New Delhi was weeks away, so I booked a berth for Abu road which falls enroute Delhi.
22237 Secunderabad Hisar SF Express 23.59 hrs dep (175 rs SL), arrived at an ungodly hour of 03.25 hrs. After walking along the platform exploring the best possible options in the given situation, I finally got a comfortable seat at the ladies waiting room and stayed until 7.30 am. Boarding a shared cab from Abu road to Mount Abu (100 rs/ pax), I reached my guest house in time for breakfast.
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| Indian breakfast- aloo paratha, salads, chutneys and raita |
Basic info~ where to stay, eat & conveyance
All vehicles to Mt. Abu pass through the busstand, market and finally stop at Nakki Lake. Most budget and high-end hotels are located in these areas. Budget hotels are usually in the range of 1200 rs avg, but I was lucky to find one with an excellent deal~
Achpura House is a few minutes walk from Nakki Lake. They offered me a spacious and comfy room for 500rs/ night/ single person. Amenities~ western washrooms with shower, 24 hours hot & cold water (geyser) + Free WiFi. Please call and confirm the rate before booking.
Contact~ Dalpat singh rathore +91 9414219093 wassup
Getting here- Mount Abu is an easy 2 day trip from Ahmedabad/ Jodhpur/ Udaipur. Other than driving down on your own, the next most convenient means to get here is by train. Abu road is the closest railway station. There are also buses; S.T. (state transport) buses are cheaper than the private ones.
Tours and conveyance- From chacha museum chowk, you will get cabs and autos to local places. Cabs will take you on a private tour of Mount Abu, but I found them expensive. For an affordable option walk down to the market; there are some travel agents here who conduct full day Sightseeing group tours (150 rs per person).
Things to do in Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Mount Abu is a hill station within the Aravalli range and therefore a convenient weekend getaway for folks from Ahmedabad and other nearby areas in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It shouldn't take more than 2 days unless you wish to simply enjoy the isolated, cool environs this place has to offer.
Seek Spirituality đź’®
The most prominent spiritual organisation here is the Brahma Kumaris movement. I'm usually wary about getting mixed up in a particular movement/ organisation no matter what they represent. But out of curiosity I stepped into Om Shanti bhavan~ Madhuban ie. the official headquarters of Brahma Kumaris at Mt. Abu; and I was simply mesmerised.
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| Om Shanti bhavan- Madhuban, Mount Abu |
As I entered their discourse hall I could feel a powerful spiritual energy. A young woman came up to us and explained the concept and purpose of the organisation; every soul (atma) she explained is connected to the universal soul (paramatma) or God as we know it. Meditation is a means of tuning in to this overall goodness and allowing it to be our guiding light.... Her smooth velvet voice felt like balm to my aching heart and soul.
No sooner she was done, I immediately rushed to counter for additional info on their meditation courses; but what I got in return was a conflicting response that put me off. So I decided to attune my atma to the paramatma on my own and at my own pace.
Arbuda Devi~ the shakti within
Sakti [shakti] is the divine force or energy that is hidden deep within, that is more associated with the feminine form / earth mother. This devi shakti is named after the Arbuda mountains where she resides inside a hill cave.
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Steps leading to the cave shrine of Arbuda Devi, Mount Abu Rajasthan
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Dilwara Jain temples
Mount Abu's crown jewel is Dilwara. There are 5 temples that make up this Jain temple complex. Two of these ie. VIMAL VASHI & LUNA VASHI are dated to 1031 & 1230 CE respectively.
VIMAL VASHI- is named after a minister of the Solanki court and dedicated to Adinath (also known as Rishab dev), the 1st Jain tirthankara. His idol in brass-gold alloy can be seen within the sanctum. LUNA VASHI-
also known as Devrani-Jethani temple, was built by 2 brothers, Vastupal and Tejpal who were ministers of a Gujarati Jain king. The temple is dedicated to 22nd tirthankara bhagvan Neminath. His idol in basalt can be seen through ornately carved doors. PITTAHARA (14th CE), is also dedicated to Adinath. His idol in panchdhatu (an alloy of 5 metals) is endowed with a generous proportion of gold that looks splendid. CHAUMUKHA, 15th CE- Is dedicated to the 23rd tirthankara, bhagwan Parshvanath. It has a tall pinnacle which sets it apart from other flat roof temples and lastly MAHAVIRA, 18th ce.
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| Magic in Marble! Dilwara Jain temples, Mount Abu Rajasthan |
The Delwara temples are truly magic in marble! Notice the inverted lotus carvings on the ceilings, the jharokhas and pillars; all these are complex and so finely crafted that it just doesn't seem like the work of ordinary humans, but demi-gods.
Leisure 🌸
Nakki lake is the place I've seen most people hang-out, but I find it over-hyped and nothing more than a simple water body. Walk a bit further past chacha museum chowk and ahead to the market instead; The place is simply buzzing with life during the evening hours. There are restaurants in every category and even restaurants with bars. So find a seat and relax in the evening glow.
GURU SHIKHAR PEAK, is the highest peak in Mt. Abu which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Arbuda mountains.
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| Achalgarh fort and temples and view from Gurushikar peak (below pic)- Mount Abu Rajasthan |
Deep Relaxation 🌺
I had been battered emotionally and felt a few more days of deep relaxation in the cool environs of the hills would do me good. The climate in Feb-Mar is an average of 20° and just perfect to laze around on the porch with a book and a mug of hot coffee.
As the curtains close upon yet another beautiful destination, I wish to thank you for dropping by and reading this blog post. Feel free to comment and share. Bye🙏
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