Things to do in Mt Abu
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Universal Peace Hall
For many the teachings are intensely powerful; there are over 4500 branches in 70 countries. It even has consultative status on the Economic and Social Council of the UN. For others, it gives off a spooky New Age-sect vibe and non-believing locals of Mt Abu might try to warn you away. You can decide for yourself by paying a visit to the university's Universal Peace Hall, where free tours are available, including an introduction to the philosophy of the Brahma Kumaris.
If you want to find out more, you can attend a daily morning meditation class (held at the museum) or take an introductory course (seven lessons), including yoga tuition for a minimum of three days, though a…
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Nakki Lake
Scenic Nakki Lake, the town's focus, is one of its biggest attractions. It's so named because, according to legend, it was scooped out by a god using his nakh (nails). Some Hindus thus believe it to be a holy lake, but you're more likely to see people pedaloing than bathing in it. It's a pleasant stroll around the perimeter - the lake is surrounded by hills, parks and strange rock formations.
Nakki Lake is the heart of all activity in Mt Abu.
At the edge, by the town centre, there's a carnival of juice and food stalls, ice-cream parlours, balloon vendors and souvenir shops. You'll probably have to plough through the persistent photographers eager to take a happy snap of y…
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Luna Vasahi Temple
The later Luna Vasahi Temple is dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd tirthankar, and was built in 1230 by the brothers Tejpal and Vastupal for a mere Rs 125.9 million. Like Vimal, the brothers were both Gujarati government ministers. The marble carving here took 2500 workers 15 years to create, and its most notable feature is its intricacy and delicacy, which is so fine that, in places, the marble becomes almost transparent.
In particular, the many-layered lotus flower that dangles from the centre of the dome is an astonishing piece of work. It's difficult to believe that this huge lacelike filigree started life as a solid block of marble. The temple remains incredibly well pr…
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Vimal Vasahi
The older of the temples is the Vimal Vasahi, on which work began in 1031 and which was financed by a Gujarati minister named Vimal. Dedicated to the first tirthankar, Adinath, it took 14 years and allegedly cost Rs 180.5 million to build. The central shrine has an image of Adinath himself, while around the courtyard are 52 identical cells, each enclosing a cross-legged Buddha-tirthankar - the crucial difference between these statues and those of Buddha is that their eyes are always open.
Forty-eight beautifully carved pillars form the courtyard entrance, in front of which stands the House of Elephants, featuring a procession of elephants marching to the temple entrance, …
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Mt Abu Treks
As well as being the local snake-catcher, Charles from Mt Abu Treks arranges tailor-made treks ranging from gentle village visits to longer, wilder expeditions into Mt Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. He’s passionate and knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. Treks include a three- to four-hour trek (Rs280 per person); a half-day (Rs380); a full day including lunch (Rs610); and an overnight village trek including all meals (Rs1250). The sanctuary entrance fee is included in the prices, but if you want to delve deeper into the jungle and require a taxi to the trail head, this will be an additional cost.
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Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University & Museum
The white-clad people around town are studying at Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University. This organisation teaches that all religions lead to God and that the principles of each should be studied. The university’s aim is the establishment of universal peace through ‘the impartation of spiritual knowledge and training of easy raja yoga meditation’. For many, the teachings are intensely powerful; there are over 4500 branches in 70 countries. For others, it gives off a spooky New Age–sect vibe. There’s a Brahma Kumaris museum in town, the entrance labelled Gateway to Paradise!
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Jain Temples
These remarkable Jain temples are Mt Abu's main attraction and feature some of India's finest temple decoration. It's said that the artisans were paid according to the amount of dust they collected, encouraging them to carve ever more intricately. Whatever their inducement, there are two temples in which the marble work is dizzyingly intense, a collection of delicate milky kaleidoscopes, with icing-like carving so fine it looks like you could break it off and eat it. No photography is permitted.
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Raghunath Temple
Scenic Nakki Lake is a big attraction and the town’s focus. It’s so named because, according to legend, it was scooped out by a god using his nakh (nails). The 14th-century Raghunath Temple stands beside the lake. You can hire boats – a pedalo or a more romantic shikara (gondola-like boat) – at the edge of the lake near the temple; a two-person shikara costs Rs100 for 30 minutes, while a two-/four-person pedalo costs Rs50/100.
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Government Museum
The small, seldom-visited government museum features a diorama illustrating local tribal life, some hill-dwellers' artefacts, and a few miniature paintings. The highlight, though, is the sculpture gallery, with works from the ancient town of Chandravati, 7km from Mt Abu, dating from the 6th to the 12th centuries. Note the sculpture of the snake goddess Vish Kanya breastfeeding a snake - something not to attempt at home.
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Sunset Point
Sunset Point is a popular and lovely place from which to watch the brilliant setting sun, though distinctly unromantic unless you find that being thrust red roses, bags of peanuts, or Polaroid cameras gets you into a loving mood. Hordes stroll out here every evening to catch the end of the day, the food stalls and all the usual jolly hill-station entertainment. It's a 1km-walk from the road to the viewpoint.
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Brahma Kumaris Museum
There is a Brahma Kumaris museum in the town centre, the entrance of which is labelled 'Gateway to Paradise'. The museum outlines the university's teachings through the means of wonderfully kitsch light-up dioramas, and attempts answers to teasers such as 'How can world peace be established?' in a manner of which old Walt himself would have been proud.
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Shri Ganesh Hotel
The staff at Shri Ganesh Hotel also organise excellent short treks (Rs200 per person) into the hills. There’s a trek in the morning at 9am, and one to see the sunset starting at 3pm. The routes vary and the level of difficulty depends on the fitness of the group. It’s common to spot bears and other wildlife.
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Adhar Devi Temple
About 3km north of town, 365 steps lead to the ancient Adhar Devi Temple, which is built in a natural cleft in the rock. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance to the temple, which holds atmospheric devotional services at dawn. There are splendid views over Mt Abu from up here.
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Dilwara Temples
These temples rank among India’s finest temple architecture. Note, no photography is allowed (though photographs are sold outside). As at other Jain temples, leather articles (belts as well as shoes) have to be left at the entrance and menstruating women are warned away.
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Boating
To enter into the spirit of things on Nakki Lake, you can do as the honeymooners do and hire a pedalo (2-/4-person boat per 30min Rs 50/100), or, for the especially romantically inclined, a gondola-like shikara loveboat (2-person boat per 30min Rs 100).
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Arbuda
This big restaurant is set on a sweeping open terrace filled with chrome chairs. It’s very popular for its Gujarati, Punjabi and South Indian food, and does fine continental breakfasts and fresh juices .
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Pony Rides
Those travelling with small children will doubtless be pressured into purchasing pony rides from the stand one road back from the lake, for a slow but scenic stroll along the water's edge.
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King’s Food
A busy, open-to-the-street fast-food joint. It has the usual have-a-go menu and offers Chinese, Punjabi and South Indian food, and delicious lassis.
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Kanak Dining Hall
The excellent all-you-can-eat thalis are contenders for Mt Abu’s best; there’s seating indoors in the busy dining hall or outside under a canopy.
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Shere Punjab Hotel
This place in the market has bargain Punjabi and Chinese food. There are plenty of regular veg and nonveg curries that won’t stretch the budget.
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Roller-Skating Rink
The town has a roller-skating rink. Beware the honeymooners on wheels for the first time, whizzing uncontrollably at high speed towards you.
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Shanti Shikhar
You can follow the white arrows along a path to the summit of Shanti Shikhar, west of Adhar Devi Temple, where there are panoramic views.
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Bhimashah Pittalhar
Another temple in the enclosure is Built between 1315 and 1433 it features a 4-tonne five-metal statue of Adinath.
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Cafe Coffee Day
Another life-saving branch of the popular caffeine-supply chain. And the tea and cakes aren’t bad either.
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Peace Park
The Brahma Kumaris organisation also runs the Peace Park, 17km north of town.
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