Mount Abu Travel Information

Mount Abu Travel Information

Weather
In Summer: 33.8 C (Max) - 23.3 C (Min)
In Winter: 20.3 C (Max) - 0 C (Min)
Rainy Season from July to Mid Sept, and very humid (upto 90%)

Our suggestion
Best time to come: Feb to June , Sept. Dec.

Fair & Festivals


Summer Festival (1st-3rd June, 2005)
Organized in the only hill station of Rajasthan, this is the coldest place at this time of the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of gaiety prevails in this tiny hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy himself.

Mount Abu History
The history of Mount Abu is as diverse as the city itself. It was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan and served as a summer resort for the Rajput kings of the region. After that, it was leased by the British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarter of the resident to Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan).

During the British rule in India, it was the favorite summer destination of the British, who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains particularly Rajasthan. It also served as a sanatorium for the troops. The small huts and cottages here tell stories of those times even today.

Mount Abu was the Home of many saints and sages in the old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, which emerged from a rock shaped like a cow's head.

According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form - Mount Abu.

This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city.

Culture
A pleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills, Mt. Abu is a green oasis in the barren desertscape thats Rajasthan. Situated at the southern tip of the Aravali range the hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The road leading to Mount Abu is a curved one characterized by arid region dotted with huge rocks in weird shapes and high velocity winds.

General Travel Information

 

Reaching Mount Abu


By Air
Udaipur Flight Schedule
Udaipur is the nearest airport. Daily flight form Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur are available to Udaipur.

By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Jaipur and Abu Road to Maunt Abu. It is also connected by road to Delhi, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bundi and Udaipur.

By Train
Abu Road is the nearest railway station and is about 22 kms from Mount Abu. And well connected by Ahemdabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur.

Things you can do
Due to the presence of these sages and seers this place became a holy retreat. But for most visitors today, Mount Abu is a hill station with all the delightful spots necessary to make their trip intersting. The Nakki lake is picturesquely set admist hills and is believed to have been carved out by the gods with their nails. Be prepared to go for long walks and treks as you visit the spectacular Sunset Point, toad's Rock, and the beautifully sculpted hill temple of Gaumukh and Arbuda.

Places to see


Gaumukh Temple
A natural spring flowing through a sculpted cow’s head gives the shrine its name. The famous ‘yagna’ of sage Vashishtha was performed here. A beautifully sculpted hill temple of Arbuada-the mighty serpent stands against the beautiful backdrop. Nearby is the magnificent marble image of Nandi, the celestial bull rescued by Arbuada.

Delwara Jain Temple
These beautifully carved temples built between 11th and 13th century A.D. are sheer elegance in marble, dedicated to the jain Tirthankaras. The Vimal Vasahi temple is the oldest of these dedicated to the first Tirthankara. Built in 1031 A.D. (by Vimal Shah-a merchant and representative of then Gujarat ruler), it is a superb example of temple architecture.The central shrine has an image of Rishabhdev and large courtyard with 52 small shrines,each housing a beautiful statue of thirthankaras with 48 elegantly carved pillars form the entrance to the courtyard.The Lun Vasahi Temple, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankaras-Neminath, was built in 1231 A.D. by two brothers-Vastupal and Tejpal,Ministers of Raja Vir Dhawal, a ruler of Gujarat-belonging to the Porwal Jain community.With door casings, pillars,architraves,and sculptures on porticos,the temple is a fine specimen of craftsmanship.

Adhar Devi Temple
The temple is chiseled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 360 stairs. A favourite tourist spot.

Nakki Lake
Legend has that this small lake, was scooped out by a god using only his nails(or nakh).The lake is surroundedby hills , parks and strange rock formations.The 14th Century Raghunaht temple stands beside the lake.Several Maharajas built lavish summer houses around the Nakki lake,a nd the maharaja of Jaipur's formar summer palace is perched on a hill onlooking the water.

Museum and Art Gallery
Located at the Raj Bhawan, it was a collection of archaeological excavations dating back to 8th-12th century A.D. It also has Jain bronze carvings,brassworks etc. for viewing.

Viewpionts
There are many view pionts around the town. Most famous among them is the Sunset piont which provides a spectacular sight of the setting sun when the hills are covered in the golden glow can be viewed from here.Other popular spots include Honeymoon point, which also offers a view of sunset, the Crags and the Shanti Shikhar.

Shri Raghunathji Temple
Situated near the ‘Nakki’ lake is the temple dedicated to Shri Raghunathji with a beautiful image of the deity that was placed here in 14th century A.D. by Shri Ramanand the famous Hindu preacher.

Gardens and Parks
Beautifully laid parks and gardens are interspersed throughout the hilly paradise. Ashok Vatika,Gandhi park, Municipal Park,Shaitan Singh Park and Terrace Garden are some of the noteworthy gardens.

Trevor’s Tank (5 km)
Named after the British engineer who constructed it, Trevor’s Tank is a delight for birdwatchers with densely wooded hills that are a haven to pigeons, peacocks and partridges.

Achalgarh (8 km)
An impressive fort with some beautiful jain temples enclosed within. Among the
noteworthy temples are Achaleswar Mahadev Temple (1412 A.D.) and Kantinath Jain Temple (1513A.D.) . The latter has gold plated image. Mandakini Kund and a sculpture of Parmar Dharavarsh are situated close to the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple. The Fort was built in the 14th century A.D. by Rana Kumbha and is approachable by a motorable road.

Guru Shikhar (15 km)
The highest peak on the mount (1722 mts. Above the sea level) allows a bird’s eye view of the sylvan surroundings of Mt. Abu. A small Shaivite shrine and a temple of Dattatreya standing on the shikhar are worth a visit.

Eating out
Restaurants - Handi Restaurant (Hotel Hilltone - 8391-3), Mayur (Hotel Hillock - 38463-5), Dawat (43374), Kanak Dining Hall (38305), Madras Cafe (43294) are good restaurants for Indian & Continental food.

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