Mount Abu

The only Hill Station In Rajastham

Mount Abu is known for being one of the prime travel destinations located in the state of Rajasthan, silently laid back in the shelter of the Aravali Ranges. One of the only hill stations in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is located closer to the Gujarat Border. This little oasis located in the barren land of Rajasthan is a big hit with honeymoon travellers and those who are interested for short leisure vacations.Flowering shrubs and coniferous trees form the major part of attraction of the travel destination. It has a huge religious and spiritual importance for Jains and Hindus and it includes around more than 80 shrines and temples.

The history of Mount Abu reveals that it was treated as a sought after summer resort during the time of Chauhans of Rajasthan. It is also believed that Mount Abu had been the home for innumerable saints and sages in the past. It is believed that Sage Vasistha was one of the most prominent sages who came to Mount Abu and he is known for four Rajput clans based on the Agni Kula. It was done in order to protect the earth from the obliterating act of the demons. According to the legend, the name 'Abu' in Mount Abu infers the name of the son of Himalaya, which was further derived from the name of Arbuada, a powerful mythical serpent. This serpent is known in the Indian mythology for protecting Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva from an unprecedented chasm.

Following are the main attractions of Mount Abu:

Nakki Lake: It is situated at the focal point of the Mount Abu. It is almost one kilometer long in the length. One can either quietly sit around and enjoy the lakeside view of Nakki Lake, or choose to go for boating and even take up the challenge of experiencing the aero baloom which gives a very large panoramic view of the entire hill station from up above.

Achalgarh Fort: Established by Rana Kumbha, the Achalgarh fort is known for being one of the most prized medieval monuments. Huge battlement walls envelop this fort, making its entire construction even more magnanimous and enrapturing. The fortified walls also enclose temples inside its vicinity. Few of the important temples located inside the fort are the Shantinath Jain Temple and Lord Shiva Temple.

Guru Shikhar: It is known for being the highest point in the Aravali Ranges. It is 1722 m above the sea level. It is located 15 km away from Mount Abu. The Temple of Dattatreya which has been built to honour Lord Vishnu is built on the peak.  One can see the footprints of Guru Dattatreya and SwamiRamnath on the rock caves.

Dilwara Temple:  Five exquisitely designed Jain temples are located in the beautiful Dilwara Temple complex. The marvelous marble stone carvings and extraordinary architecture make this temple complex, in the view of few architects, even better than the Taj Mahal. It is believed that these temples had been built in between the 11th and the 13 century AD. The names of the five temples that are included in the complex are Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple, Shri AdiNath Temple, Shri ParshavNath Temple, Shri Rishabdaoji Temple and Shri NemiNathji Temple.

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary:  With abundant flora and fauna, this wildlife sanctuary streteches to about 290 km. The Trevor's water tank is also located within the vicinity of the Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary. This tank is known for the breeding of crocodiles and is a paradise for the nature lovers. The sanctuary has also created several treks for the tourists who come to visit the sanctuary.

Excursions from Mount Abu
Following are the destinations located near to Mount Abu, such as Pindwara (64 km), Palanpur (80.9 km), Sirohi (83.5 km), Udaipur (161.3 km) and Jodhpur (277 km).

Shopping in Mount Abu

The main attractions of Shopping in Mount Abu include jewelry articles, Rajasthani paintings, stone crafts and leather goods. Little souvenirs carved in sandlestone or marble stone can be bought from the local markets near the Nakki Lake. What adds more flavour to the shopping experience in Mount Abu is the fact that one can find handicraft items both from Rajasthan and the neighbouring state of Gujarat. The Sanganeri prints in the saree, the Kota sarees, along with 'tie and dye' fabrics make shopping in Mount Abu a pleasurable experience.

When to Reach
The best time to reach Mount Abu is in between October to March, though the weather is pleasant through out the year. The honeymoon planners basically choose this time frame as the temperature in winters does not go lesser than 20 degree Celsius.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport situated to Mount Abu is in Udaipur which is located 185 km away from the hill station.

By Rail: The Mount Abu railway station is properly connected with the other railway stations in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur and Delhi.
By Road: The nearest national Highway No. 14 connects Mount Abu with other cities. The tourists prefer to hire a bike once they reach Mount Abu to explore the various attractions.