Mount Abu

Fast Facts
Population : 18,000
Languages : Rajasthani, Hindi
Best time to visit : All through the year, especially during summer
STD Code : 02974

 Introduction : Welcome to the only hill resort in the desert land of Rajasthan, Mount Abu. The lushness of Mount Abu makes the hill resort being referred to as the paradise of Rajasthan. The natural and the man made beauty come together to make Mount Abu a place worth more than a visit. At the hill station you may enjoy the scenic beauty, the amazing architectural wonders and the archaeology too.

Travel Places to Visit : The hill resort of Mount Abu is renowned for the Jain temples of Dilwara. The Dilwara Jain temples have often been compared to the Taj Mahal for their sheer elegance and beauty in marble. The temples date back to the 11th and the 13th century. The architectural beauty of the temples lies in the fact that the marble was carried all the way from Makrana. The marble from Makrana is renowned for being of an exceptionally good quality. Further more the best workmen and craftsmen worked magic on the marble to produce the finest quality of sculpture. Intricate carvings make the temples delicately beautiful throughout. The Dilwara temples are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. The carvings, architecture and décor of the temples and labor involved in the construction of the temples were truly expensive. There are the five temples namely, Vimal Vasahi, Lun Vasahi, Shri Risha Lhdeo, Shri Parshvanath and Shri Mahavir Swami temple.
You must not leave the hill resort of Mount Abu without seeking blessings from the Arbuda Devi. The goddess Arbuda Devi lends her name to the hill resort of Mount Abu. You need to climb 200 steps on a mountain to reach the cave of Arbuda Devi. Besides the goddess there are the statues of her three attendants too.
Then you must visit the Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of Mount Abu. The beauty of the peak attracts several tourists. Atop the peak there is a temple. You may visit the temple in pink and white. It is dedicated to Datta-traya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. From the temple you may enjoy the natural beauty of Mount Abu. You may even pose clad in a local dress here.
While travelling Mount Abu you may visit the Brahmakhadd temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are statues of Goddess parvati and Nandi outside the temple. In the temple you may worship the sacred pit that is believed to have been created, by the Lord Shiva's foot.
Another landmark in the hill resort of Mount Abu is the Nakki Lake. As per a legend the fingernails of a sage, Balam Rasia, drew the Nakki Lake. The Nails or the nakk explain the name of the Lake as Nakki. The sage fell in love for the daughter of the then King of Abu. The stepmother of the princess turned the love story into a tragedy. Today there is a temple of the Kunwari Kanya, dedicated to the princess and a statue of her lover alongside. You may even enjoy boating in the Nakki Lake.
Around the Nakki Lake there are several rock formations that appear to be in a certain shape. You will easily spot the Toad Rock, Nun Rock, Nandi Rock and Camel Rock. At the hill resort of Mount Abu you Mussoorie enjoy the horse rides, honeymoon point and the sunset points. The gorgeous greens and the spectacular sights make Mount Abu heaven on Earth!
What to Buy : While holiday at Mount Abu you may pick up the traditional jewelry from Rajasthan. There is the Rajasthan Emporium on the Raj Bhawan Road that is renowned for the several jewelry shops it has. They make excellent options for gift items and souvenirs.
How to Reach : The only hill resort of Rajasthan, Mount Abu is easily accessible. The railhead at the Abu Road is at a distance of 27 km from Mount Abu. There are regular trains that link Mount Abu with other places like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jodhpur and Agra.
The excellent road network links Mount Abu with the other places. Bus services, jeeps and taxis cater to the need of the road transport. Direct buses link Mount Abu with Udaipur and Ahmedabad.
For Local transportation in and around Mount Abu buses and taxis are the best options. Regular buses link Mount Abu with Dilwara and Acgalgarg, Taxis too may be hired for excursions and sight seeing in Mount Abu. You may even try out the baby pram, a unique means of transportation in Mount Abu.

 Best Time to Visit : The natural beauty and the lovely landscapes of mount Abu invite tourists throughout the year. Though Mount Abu is the perfect retreat in the summer months for the people from the plains and the deserts. This leads to increase in tariffs in all the hotels, restaurants and transportation charges. All hotels in Mount Abu are available at half rates and the best of rooms can be yours for a rate that suits your budget during winters though.
Where to Stay : Accommodation options are easily available in Mount Abu. There are several luxury, deluxe and budget hotels that cater to the needs of the tourists to Mount Abu.
Accommodation is easily available in Mount Abu. Though during the peak season i.e. in summers advance booking takes place. Accommodation options range from hotels to dormitories. Thus, there is a place to stay in Mount Abu for the tourists with varying budgets. Even good food is available in Mount Abu. There are several eateries and restaurants that cater to the needs of the tourists. In fact while travelling Mount Abu in holiday you must feast on the delicious delicacies. You may take your pick from the Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Rajasthani, south Indian, Punjabi, Chinese or Continental dishes. The variety offered is so vast that you may try new dishes in every meal. Even the smaller eating joints in Mount Abu are shining clean. Amongst the many delicious dishes you must try out the pao bhaji and the Rajasthani thali.
Dillawara Temple, Mount Abu, Rajasthan State, India Photography Framed Art Poster Print by Sybil Sassoon, 18x22