Mount Abu Travel Guide
BRIEF
Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill resort, is a peaceful getaway located within the lush wooded hills. The hill retreat, a verdant oasis amid a bleak desert scrape, owes its mild temperature to its diverse flora, which covers the whole slope and includes coniferous trees and floral bushes.
The route to Mount Abu is a curvy one that passes through an arid area filled with massive boulders in odd forms and high-speed winds. Summerhouses were erected for several of the monarchs from the neighbouring princely realms. It is a prominent pilgrimage destination due to its spectacular collection of fine Dilwara Jain temples from the 11th century.
There is a beautiful landscape to explore, since it is densely forested with flowering trees, with countless orchids blooming during the rainy season, and a diverse bird population.
HISTORY
According to folklore, Abu is the son of Himalaya, and its name comes from Arbuada, the strong snake that saved Nandi, Lord Shiva’s holy bull, from a chasm. Many sages and saints have lived atop Mount Abu, including the well-known guru Vashishtha, who is said to have produced four Agnikul Rajput clans from a fire pit by conducting a yagna or fire sacrifice to safeguard the world from demons.
Abu was leased by the British government from the Maharaja of Sirohi in the past, and was used as a headquarters for Rajputana residents until 1947, as well as a sanatorium for soldiers.
CULTURE
Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s sole hill station, is more than simply a summer getaway. It is a renowned pilgrimage destination because to its breathtaking array of fine Dilwara Jain temples, which date from the 11th to 13th century.
FOOD
Gujarati thalis and Punjabi cuisine are popular.
SHOPPING
For real Rajasthani handicrafts and antiquities, go to Rajasthali, the Rajasthan Government Handicrafts Emporium. Souvenirs include linen sanganeri prints, marble, sandalwood, and stone curios. Take a look at the lovely Kota saris and bangles as well. On and around Nakki Lake Road, there are shops selling curios.
ENTERTAINMENT
From the 1st to the 3rd of June, there will be a summer festival: Mt Abu awakens from its summer sleep with tribal celebrations and classical and folk performances.
Information about the city
LOCATION
Mt Abu, on the southern edge of Rajasthan, is close to Gujarat.
How to Get There
courtesy of Air Alliance Daily flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. Jet offers regular flights between Delhi and Mumbai. The nearest airport is at Udaipur, which is 185 kilometres distant from the hill station. Mumbai, Delhi, Jodhpur, and Jaipur are all linked.
Rajdhani Swaran Jayanti Express, Gujarat Mail, Aravali Express, and Ashram Express are all available via rail.
The closest railway station is on Abu Road. On the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Jaipur-Delhi line, it is located
By Car
Jaipur is 505 kilometres away, Delhi is 767 kilometres away, Ahmedabad is 221 kilometres away, and Udaipur is 185 kilometres away. The 29-kilometer route between Abu Road and Mount Abu is best traversed during daylight hours. To get to the hill station, you may use a cab, jeep, or bus. At Abu Road, unmetered taxis and jeeps are available. Regular luxury buses, which cost between Rs 200 and Rs 250, go to and from adjacent cities. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., state roads buses run from Abu Road to Mt Abu. There are two bus terminals: one is on Abu Road, near to the train station, where private buses depart from. The alternative bus terminal is beside the police station, slightly south of centre Mt Abu.
CLIMATE
Summer temperatures vary from 23 to 33 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures range from 11 to 28 degrees Celsius.
ABU MOUNTAIN Dilwara Jain Temples Sightseeing
These exquisitely carved temples, dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras and erected between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, are pure grace in marble. The earliest of them is the Vimal Vasahi temple, which is dedicated to the first Tirthankara. It is a great example of temple construction, having been built in 1031 A.D. by Vimal Shah, a trader and representative of the then Gujarat monarch. A vast courtyard with 52 little shrines, each containing a lovely statue of Tirthankar, with 48 intricately carved pillars from the courtyard’s gates, surrounds the centre shrine, which features an image of Rishabhdev. The Lun Vasahi Temple, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara – Neminath, was established in 1230 A.D. by two brothers, Vastupal and Tejpal, who were ministers of Raja Dhawal, a monarch of Gujarat and members of the Porwal Jain group. The magnificent complexity and delicacy of the marble sculpture is the temple’s most noticeable feature.
Lake Nakki
It’s a small lake studded with various islands that may be reached by boat, and it’s nestled among hills in a gorgeous setting. Strange rock formations surround the lake, which are very interesting. The Toad Rock, which resembles a genuine toad poised to leap into the lake, is particularly noteworthy. Others include Nun Rock and Nandi Rock, among others. The lake, which is located in the middle of town, is named from the tradition that it was carved out by the gods with their fingernails, or Nakh. It is India’s first manmade lake at a height of 1200 metres above sea level.
Shikhar Guru
The mount’s highest summit (1722 metres above sea level) provides a bird’s eye perspective of Mt. Abu’s sylvan environs. On the shikhar, there is a tiny Shaivaite shrine and a temple dedicated to Dattatreya.
Achalgarh
An amazing fort with numerous lovely Jain temples inside its walls. The Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple (1412 AD) and Kantinath Jain Temple are two notable temples (1513 AD). The picture on the latter is gold plated. Close to the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple is Mandakini Kund and a sculpture of Parmar Dharvash. The fort was erected by Rana Kumbha in the 4th century AD and is accessible by a motorable road.
Point of Sunset
From here, you may see the spectacular sight of the sunset sun, as the hills are bathed in a golden hue.
Temple of Adhar Devi
A flight of 360 steps leads to the temple, which is carved out of a massive rock. It is a popular tourist destination.
GAUMUKH TEMPLE (Other)
The shrine gets its name from a natural spring that flows through a carved cow’s head. Sage Vashistha conducted his famed yagna here. Against the lovely setting, a wonderfully carved hill temple of Arbuada – the great serpent – sits. HONEYMOON POINT, also known as Andhra Point, has a beautiful view of the lush plains and valleys. During the evening hours, the location is at its most gorgeous. SHRI RAGHUNATHJI TEMPLE – Near the Nakki Lake is a temple dedicated to Shri Raghunathji, with a lovely picture of the deity erected here by Sri Ramanand, a prominent Hindu preacher, in the 14th century A.D. TREVORS TANK – Named for the British engineer who built it, Trevor’s Tank is a bird watcher’s paradise, with heavily forested hills that are a home for pigeons, peacocks, and partridges.