Hill Stations in Rajasthan :

The hill stations near Rajasthan  are the beautiful places where the cool climate will help peoples rejuvenate. While the scenic Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan, Ranakpur and Sajjangarh are suitable alternatives for those looking for a hill station in this arid region.

Mount Abu :

The only hill station of Rajasthan, its cool atmosphere and lush green surroundings make it a major tourist spot within the state. The most important attraction, however, are undoubtedly the Dilwara temples, which is one of the most stunning piece of architecture in the country.

History :

The ancient name of Mount Abu is Arbudaanchal. In the Puranas, the region has been referred to as Arbudaranya ("forest of Arbhuda") and 'Abu' is a diminutive of this ancient name. It is believed that sage Vashistha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu following his differences with sage Vishvamitra. There is another mythology according to which a serpent named "Arbuda" saved the life of Nandi (Lord Shiva's bull). The incident happened on the mountain that is currently known as Mount Abu and so the mountain is named "Arbudaranya" after that incident which gradually became Abu.

The conquest of Mount Abu in 1311 CE by Rao Lumba of Deora-Chauhan dynasty brought to an end the reign of the Parmars and marked the decline of Mount Abu. He shifted the capital city to Chandravati in the plains. After the destruction of Chandravati in 1405, Rao Shasmal made Sirohi his headquarters. Later it was leased by the British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarters.

The exceptionally intricate architecture of the Dilwara temples are of course the main attraction here, and can easily spend hours wondering how these temples were built over 2 centuries, almost a 1000 years back. The temples were specifically made so that they are plain from the outside to avoid attraction of plunderers, and have withstood the test of time extremely well. There are various lakes and viewpoints such as the Honeymoon Point, Sunset Point, etc. Tourists enjoy calm and relaxed boating in the Nakki lake, and a view of the sunset from the Sunset point. The highest peak of the Aravali Range also lies in Mt. Abu, surrounded by dense green forests.

Ranakpur, Rajasthan – A Spirtual Oasis :

Ranakpur is a small quaint town nestled amid the secluded valley of Aravali Ranges in Rajasthan. Situated around 96 km North of Udaipur in Pali district, it is an important destination for Jain pilgrims. The place presents a unique spectacle of verdant greenery and gushing streams, an unusual sight in Rajasthan. Immersed in the vibrant culture with a myriad of enrapturing beauty in store, Ranakpur has made its way on the list of must-visit destinations in Rajasthan. 
It is named after Rana Kumbha, who donated some land for the place.

There are many temples dedicated to different Tirthankaras in Jainism like Adinatha, Parasnath and Chaumukha Temple with marvellous architectures. Rightly nicknamed as 'A spiritual oasis in Aravalli', Ranakpur is a place with mesmerising beauty that will leave tourists awe-inspired with a rejuvenated soul.

The Jain temple is the most important sightseeing places in Ranakpur. It is built over an area of 40000 sq. ft and is adorned with intricate carvings. The main focus of the architecture is the inscription of the nymphs and other celestial bodies. The two huge bells of 108 kg each add an icing on the cake. Other beautiful places are the Maharani Bagh orchard and the Aravalli hills. A Ranakpur Tour can include several things leaving behind a trail of memories.

Sajjangarh Palace :

Also known as Monsoon Palace, Sajjangarh Palace is located at a peak Bansdara Mountain as high as about 944 m above the sea level overlooking the famous Pichola Lake.

This palace is also known Monsoon Palace because it was used as summer retreat for Mewar Kings and also as a Monsoon Palace, to watch the progress of Monsoon clouds.

It is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874–1884) of the Mewar Dynasty, who it was built for in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built chiefly to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home, Chittaurgarh. Previously owned by the Mewar royal family, it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan and has recently been opened to the public. The palace provides a beautiful view of the sunset.

Its builder, Maharana Sajjan Singh, originally planned to make it a five-storey astronomical centre. The plan was cancelled with Maharana Sajjan Singh's premature death. It was then turned into a monsoon palace and hunting lodge.

High in the Aravalli Hills, just outside Udaipur, the Palace is illuminated in the evenings, giving a golden orange glow (see image in the infobox).The palace was used in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy as the residence of Kamal Khan, an exiled Afghan prince.