To become a member of RARE India a hotel must have several qualities; it must be family run, it must have stories, a strong focus on local experiences and be eco conscious. Well, let me tell you about my latest stay because that all starts from a wonderful story.
In 1960, an English lady, Diana Wordsworth, a descendent of the poet, famous for his love of the countryside & nature, travelled to and fell in love with India. She returned in 1965 (aged 54) to make a film on the Ganga. It was then that she met and fell in love with a colonel from the Indian army.
Resolving to live out their days in the cool of the hills, surrounded by nature, they set about looking for the perfect place around Dehradun. There they had a chance encounter with a forest officer, none other than a young Fateh Singh Rathore, if you know, you know! If you don’t, well, he went on to become one of India’s best-known protectors of the tiger. But, at that time, he was the forest officer of a newly formed wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan’s only hill station, Mount Abu.
A short while later, the couple settled into their new cottage there, and Fateh, who they’d come to regard as their son, became a regular visitor. When he was posted elsewhere, missing regular company, they decided to build a guesthouse & Wordsworth Lodge was founded. Sadly, the colonel died before it was completed, and Diana, left it to Fateh in her will when she passed back in 1984.
Skip forward to now, and Fateh’s son and daughter in law, also wildlife aficionados and founders of fine hotels, have reopened the lodge. Continuing the woven intricacies, managing it is Nagendra Hada, Fateh’s nephew who has 30+ years under his belt of managing Taj Safaris. I mean, we’re talking pedigree all the way here!
In terms of tourism, Mount Abu has never made it onto the map but drawn in by the story, I had to visit.
So, what were my findings? Who should come here? It is perfect for writers, artists, or even yoga retreats. It’s great for walkers & nature lovers & being one of the few places where the Green Munia can be found, it’s good for birders too. A bonus here is Charlie, a local, self-taught naturalist who’s passion for the great outdoors, nature and Mount Abu is infectious.
Aside from that, Mount Abu houses what must surely be India’s best kept secret, the Dilwara Temple. No photos allowed so it’s not going to get ruined by the selfie brigade which is a blessing as this temple is off the charts! It knocks spots off Ranakpur, Tanjore, Madurai and more. In a play on the quote by Ibn Batutta, “Travel renders you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Well, Wordsworth turns you into a storyteller, then Dilwara renders you speechless. Visit!
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