Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravali Range of Rajasthan in western India. Mount Abu is a unique place for adventure and eco tourism. Mount Abu lies amid a lot of picturesque surroundings with beautiful wooded valleys. The hill station offers excellent trekking opportunities for those looking for some adventure. However, Mount Abu is an important pilgrimage place for the Jains and is more widely known for its exquisitely carved Dilwara Temple. About 185 km away from Udaipur, Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan. It is a quiet place perfect for those who like sleepy holiday destinations.
History:
Mount Abu has a rich history. It is home to many stunning and exquisite temples that date back to the 11th- 13th centuries. ‘Abu’ according to a legend stands for the son of Himalayan, deriving its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent that rescued Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, from a chasm.
Best For:
Trekking , Eco tourism.
Splendid Dilwara Temples
Nature Photography
The maximum temperature here is around 25 Degrees C and the minimum drops to 8 Degrees C. The best time to be here is between October and March.
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. Since Mount Abu is a popular tourist location, there are many ATM centers.
A tourist visa applicable for the entire country (India) is sufficient.
Sirohi: Mount Abu lies in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Sirohi District and was formerly the capital of the princely state of the same name. Nearest railway station to Sirohi is Sirohi Road station. This is a place where one can find a lot of temples and pilgrims all over the country come here.
Pindwara: [70 kms] It is a small town in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, India and it is about 50 km from Abu Road and 70 from Mount Abu. It is a small and a peaceful town that serves as an ideal location for people who want to holiday amidst natural beauty.
Udaipur: [185 kms] It is a beautiful city and a district in Udaipur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. This place is historic and yet it has developed well in the recent times. It is also known as the "City of Lakes".
Domestic Flights For domestic travelers, Udaipur [185 kms] is the nearest airport. A lot of flights operate between Udaipur and the major cities of the country.
International Flight:
The nearest international airport is Udaipur [185 kms approx.].
Road Travel Abu Road lies on NH Number 14 and it is very easily accessible as it is one of the most visited destinations in India.
Train Travel The nearest railway station is at Abu Road that is about 20 kms from Mount Abu. The station is on the main Indian Railways line between Delhi and Ahmedabad.
Getting Around - Trekking Mount Abu is a picturesque place laced with great mountains. This place is a trekker’s delight.
Dilwara Jain Temples: The Dilwara Temples are a complex of temples, carved of white marble, that were built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. The oldest of these is the Vimal Vasahi temple, built in 1031 AD by Vimal Shah and dedicated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. The Lun Vasahi Temple were built in 1231 AD by the brothers Vastupal and Tejpal, who belonged to the Porwal Jain community. The spectacular door carvings, pillars, and sculptures on porticos, will take one’s breath away.
The Gaumukh Temple: This temple has a lot of historic and mythological significance. A natural spring flowing through a sculpted cow’s head gives the shrine its name. Nearby is the magnificent marble image of Nandi, the celestial bull rescued by Arbuada, from which the name Abu was derived.
Adhar Devi Temple: The temple is chiselled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 360 stairs atop a huge mountain.
Sunset Point: This is the point from where you can see the beautiful sight of the setting sun. The rays give the hill a golden aura.
Honeymoon Point: This is also known as the Andra Point. This point offers a breath taking view of the plains, hills and valleys in the area. It seems as if the nature has decided to be romantic and hence the name.
Museum and Art Gallery: This famous gallery is located at the Raj Bhawan. It is a treasure house of major archeological works and findings that date back to 8th-12th century.
Guru Shikhar: This is the highest peak on the mount. It is situated about 1722 mts. above the sea level. It allows a bird’s eye view of the beautiful hills and mountains adorning Mt. Abu.
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in one of the oldest mountain ranges of India, the Aravali range. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1960, and is home to rich flora and fauna.
Nakki Lake is another popular visitor attraction of Mount Abu.There is the Toad Rock on a hill near the lake. Raghunath Temple and Maharaja Jaipur Palace are also on hills near Nakki Lake.
Shopping:
Mount Abu is a shopper’s delight. You will find the most exquisite designs of embroidered scarves and shawls here,along with other handicraft, religious books and souvenirs.
Where To Eat:
You can enjoy the famous Rajasthani delicacies in Mount Abu. One can find some of the most comfortable guesthouses, luxurious hotels and restaurants here in Mount Abu.
Where To Stay:
One can stay in the guesthouses and luxurious heritage hotels here in Mount Abu. This is a famous tourist center and so there are a lot of hotels and accommodation facilities available here.
The beauty and culture embedded in the temples and sculptures of Mount Abu speak for themselves. This is one place where you will be amazed by the aesthetics of the bygone era and at the same time nature bedazzles you The beauty of the place casts a spell on the tourists.
