Trip members: Karthik and family
Trip date: 13 to 18 Jan 2016
Trip Plan : Chennai - Ahmedabad - Mount Abu - Haldigati - Udaipur - Ahmedabad - Chennai
Day-1
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.
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| Hathee Singh Jain Temple |
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.
Adalaj Step Well – what an amazing piece of architecture! A
well is used for only water – but here, the skills shown in architecture are
spell bounding for well! The well is of 5 levels and each level is beautifully
carved by artisans. This is an excellent place for photographers – to challenge
with light exposure and the various artistic pieces. Do not forget to go around
as well – you can try to get a top view of the well.
Dhamaka – International Kite festival in Ahmedabad. I was
not following any local happenings of this place and totally missed out the
International Kite Festival is going on in Sabarmati River front. We saw this
as we noticed the banners in the airport. We reached here by 11 AM and saw
around 15-20 kites from various countries across the planet – Australia to
Canada! Around 12 PM, it was nearing to closure as group photo sessions of
participants was going on! We did not miss out to see some kites. We then decided to go to room and take some
rest as out day started by 2 AM.
We asked for a good Gujarati Thaali and driver took us to Toran
Dining hall – ranked #16 out of 3000+ restaurants in Ahmedabad. This was one of
the best of the day – it was feast with amazing service – re-filling our plates
was twice faster than we could eat. Yummy, hot, tasty, courteous service – a
largely satisfying Gujarati Thaali – the coconut halwa and sabjis stood out! A
must eat place for tourists!
Hotel Flair Inn rooms were waiting for us – 2 hours of rest.
The rooms were clean and of ok size. The service is quite good too. This is
situated 3 kms from the Sabarmati waterfront and in second floor in the city.
Rest of the day – planned to visit the Sabarmati waterfront
– Took auto from hotel to the waterfront for Rs.40. There were lot of eateries
and craft stalls for the International Kite Festival – this lead to crazy tries
of name-unknown snacks and all were tickling our taste buds. Then there was a
tickling in the wallet as it was crafts bazar next!
Around 6PM, we went to Kankaria lake – 8 kms from the
Waterfront – Rs.150 in very badly traffic roads. Kankaria lake was ignited with
lights and lot of events all around – speed boating, train ride and stalls all
around. We were quite tired and just sat in a place and spent 30 minutes at the
lake.
We ordered dinner from the room – Hotel Flair Inn did not
have a kitchen, but they good the food from Zenith restaurant – Aloo Parathas,
Jeera Rice and Dhall – again a feasty dinner and good night!
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| Sabarmati Riverfront |
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| Kankaria Lake |
Day-2
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.
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| On the way at Mount Abu |
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| Brahmakumaris Place |
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| Arbutha Devi Temple |
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| Colourful fishes at Sri Somnath Mahadev Temple |
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| Sri Somnath Mahadev Temple |
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.
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| Dilwara Temple - Main tower |
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| Nakki Lake |
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.
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| Used for transporting tourists - 1 km from parking area to Sunset Point |
We then, walked back to Hotel Saraswati – 1 km from the
parking area. We had Gujarati thaali, kadi – kichadi and went to bed.
Day-3
We started the day at 7 AM. It was six degrees at Mount Abu! We
said the direction to Udaipur. The driver was the same person from previous day
at Abu. We planned to visit Haldighati on the way to Udaipur. In such a cold
temperature, the hot-piping hot Aloo parathas on the highway were just amazing!
What a breakfast at Krishna Khanhaiya restaurant!
Haldighati is a de-tour towards Udaipur from Mount Abu. The
route is the same to go towards Kumbhalghat also. We decided to visit Haldigati
alone and reach Udaipur – checkin and rest of the day in City palace.
We then did check-in to Hotel Mewar Haveli – booked for 3
nights. The hotel is one of the top rated in TripAdvisor and on the banks of
Pichola lake. Wow .. what a view from the terrace and roof top restaurant. Exuberant!
We then started to visit Udaipur City Palace. The city palace was around 200m
from where we stayed.
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.
Next, we went to Fatehsagar lake – the biggest lake in the
city of lakes! The place is a happening place in the evenings with boating, a
small island in-between with the park. There are speedboats and motor boats are
do boating in the lake and the sunset is just amazing. We did boating and had some local sweet
in mud cups. We had dinner – Dhal Bhatti in a local road side restaurant – Sreenath
Bhojanalaya with our friend Vinoth.
Day-4
Planned Started by 8 AM and the plan was Kumbhalgarh fort and
Nathdwara. The Kumbhalgarh fort is around 100 kms from Udaipur and on the same
road of Haldighati. The whole stretch of road is quite uneven and bumpy and is
the only better route to reach compared to alternates. Do pack some snacks to
have and restaurants are limited. The Kumbhalghat is quite massive and an
unconquered frontier in Mewar timeperiod. This is where Maha Rana Pratap came
after the Chittorgarh fort was captured by Akbar and his troops.
It takes around 2-3 hours to go all around the fort. There
are guides all around for a fee of Rs.300-400; though only Hindi. We did not
hire a guide here and went on by ourselves, listening to guides of other groups
in many locations :).
The fort is on a hill and cannot be sighted until reaching
nearly closer by road. Earlier the visit in the day, comfortable is the visit
all through with fewer crowds. Also, do not miss to see the complete view of the
fort from the area where sound and light show seating happens – just opposite
to the entrance of the fort.
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| The grand view of the fort frontier ! |
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| Entrance of Kumbhalgarh Fort |
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| Complete view of the Fort... |
We started back around 12:30 and there are no restaurants
once you cross 1 km from the fort. Our next destination was Nathdwara – the route
again being single road with almost no villages or towns all the way. We
survived the noon by biscuits and some cakes we had with us. We reached
Nathdwara around 3 PM and the driver dropped us at the parking area and
suggested that there would be some eateries nearby the temple. We got some
bhojan in one of the roadside restaurants and it was quite good.
Nathdwara is 48 kms from Udaipur. Nathdwara temple is quite
special – temple for Sreenathji – depicting Lord Krishna was in his childhood.
Hence, the temple is open for dharshan 4 times a day – each of 15 mins slot –
twice in the morning and twice in the evening. So, plan your trip accordingly.
Now the main information – this place is totally haunted by the priests and
bhattacharyas of the temple – they just throng everywhere from parking area to
the entrance of the temple and charge you something like Rs.400-500 per head
for a so-called direct dharshan through rear entrance. We understood that the
temple shall be open for such a short time only after reaching there and hence
easily tricked. However, managed to bargain and pay Rs.400 for 5 people – not sure,
how cheap or costly it was. But, we were taken through the rear entrance and
made dharshan in the first 2-3 minutes of the opening of temple. In next 5-10
minutes we were out of the temple. There are lot of shops all around to eat and
shop.
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!
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| Eklinji Shiva Temple |
Day-5
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.
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| Sunrise time @ Lake Pichola |
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| Sunrise... Jagadish Temple near City Palace |
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.
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| Rana Kumbha Palace |
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| Meera Bhai Temple |
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| Vijaya Stambh |
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| Queen's palace |
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| Mirror view to see Queen Padmini |
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| King and Queen' meeting place |
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| Main entrance |
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| Kirti Stambha |
It takes 2 – 3 hours to go through all the places with guide.
Going without a guide would be a loss and we will not know where things are and
what is what? The guide will help you understand more on the Alladhin Khilji’s
intentions on Queen Padmini and how mirror was used to the see the queen; yet
he tried to covet her. Also, one would get to know the customs followed in Mewar
dynasty during warfare. These all are quite interesting and one just cannot
miss it. Also, the history about the main gate too is interesting.
There is also a government run emporium selling different
types of sarees – bamboo based, Seetha Flower based and many more. Do spend
time here to just understand and if interested you can buy it.
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.
Day – 6
Packed and started to Ahmedabad by 12 noon. We bought some
snacks and sweets from JMB – Jodhpur Mithai Bhandar – popular sweets shop in
Udaipur. We reached back Ahmedabad by evening 5:30 and boarded Air Costa at 8
PM to reach back Chennai after a very satisfactory trip.
Tips :
- Must Try Toran Dining Hall for authentic Gujarathi Thalli and do not miss Sabaramati waterfront in the evenings!
- Use driver Sonu Bhai at Mount Abu – 099821 09722.
- Mount Abu is worth a day for sight-seeing – not more than that! Do not miss Sunset Point and Dilwara Temples
- Look for a hotel to stay in Udaipur near the City Palace – it had good views of Lake Pichola, pleasant and peaceful evenings for shopping and having a relaxed walk in busy streets!
- Try snacks, namkeen and sweets in Udaipur – they are really hot and yummy!
Distances
- Ahmedabad – Abu road – 197 kms
- Abu road – Mount Abu – 28 kms
- Abu road – Udaipur – 151 kms
- Udaipur - Chittorgarh Fort – 120 kms (1-day)
- Udaipur – Haldighati – 47 kms
- Haldighati- Kumbhalgarh Fort – 61 kms
- Udaipur - Kumbhalgarh Fort – 100 kms
- Kumbhalgarh Fort - Ranakpur – 50 kms
- Ranakpur – Udaipur – 91 kms
- Udaipur – Haldighati - Kumbhalgarh Fort – Ranakpur- Udaipur – 236 kms
