We are headed towards the hill station of Mt Abu.

At first this looked like iron and steel but on closer examination not quite so sure.

And very few breaks.

We couldn't help noticing that the cows had eaten the oleanders in a lot of places.

Not the polluted symbol within Europe.

Much older. A symbol of wealth and happiness in Hinduism.

Cool in the summer.

This is the polo pitch.

Apparently Mt Abu will become crowded over New Year.

The hill stations were a British development.

Who need group photographs in front of temples.

Not for us, the lake seems to be suffering an algae bloom.

A faint accompanying smell.

If we'd looked far enough we may have seen bears.

And climbed the steps to Toad Rock.

About 3.5km from our car park camp at the Shakar Hotel so we thought we'd visit on our way out.

Security told us they were only open from 12 midday to 5pm. 

They are reputed to be exquisite.

Police check first, waved through.

Looked serious with weighbridge for trucks.

Not sure about us so we carried on.

The Rani Ki Vav.

A large round well.

This end is steps leading down to wherever the water level happens to be.

Long dry by the look of it.

The Archeological Survey of India have done their usual good work of excavating and presenting.

The temperature below ground level was reputedly about 5 degrees cooler than the surface.

This encouraged "the women who came to collect water" to linger.

And the architecture encouraged them "to worship".

To whom the well is dedicated.

Patan used to be the capital of Gujurat.

The Hindu step wells were very standardised by the time this was built, around 1022 AD.

There's a formula for the height and diameter that reduces the likelihood of collapse.

there's nothing above ground.

Apart from the grass (sans keep off the grass notices) and lots of people.

Its a Unesco world heritage site.

But strangely this is the antithesis of Indian railway stations.

Indians make pleasant tourists.