Mount Abu

A romantic hill station of Rajasthan, its cool atmosphere and lush green surroundings make it a major tourist spot within the state. The most important attraction, however, are undoubtedly the Dilwara temples, which is one of the most stunning piece of architecture in the country. If you are a history or architecture buff, this is one of the places you should absolutely not miss out in India.

The exceptionally intricate architecture of the Dilwara temples are ofcourse the main attraction here, and you can easily spend hours wondering how these temples were built over 2 centuries, almost a 1000 years back. The temples were specifically made so that they are plain from the outside to avoid attraction of plunderers, and have withstood the test of time extremely well. If architecture is not your thing, then there are various lakes and viewpoints such as the Honeymoon Point, Sunset Point, etc. Tourists enjoy calm and relaxed boating in the Nakki lake, and a view of the sunset from the Sunset point. The highest peak of the Aravali Range also lies in Mt. Abu, surrounded by dense green forests.. Mt Abu will offer you all you can demand from a popular and typical destination of a romantic and simpler nature.

The Holy Retreat - Mount Abu

Mount Abu is a true holiday destination if you are seeking a little family time and also visit the great Hindu and Jain temples. The ancient Arbuda Devi Temple and Shri Raghunathji Temple which was carved out of a solid rock are also on the must visit list here. Guru Shikhar peak is the highest point over there and on top of it is Dattatreya, a shrine and a temple. Also, there are many Jain temples over there known as Dilwara Temples that are carved out of white marble. The temples are believed to be built in between 11th and 13th century. Out of all the Jain temples, the oldest is Vimal Vasahi temple which was built in 1021 AD in dedication to the first Jain Tirthankaras. Also, the place is the headquarters to Brahma Kumaris. A very well - known Shiva temple is also there known as Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple.

Wildlife Sanctuary and Nakki Lake

Mount Abu Forest Sanctuary is the forest between the Aravalli Mountain Range. It was officially declared in 1980 and has 288 square kilometres covered. The sanctuary has an abundance of flora and fauna. The forest is tropical and the prime predator over here is Leopard. There are many rare species found here which includes sambhar, wild boar, bear, pangolin, wolf, hyena, porcupine, hedgehog and many others. The sanctuary is also home to nearly 1250 species of birds amongst which Grey Jungle Fowl is the unique one. Another beautiful tourist attraction is the ancient sacred Lake Nakki. The place has many stories revolving it. Some say it was dug out by the Gods to take shelter from Demon Bashkali. Many other stories revolve around this lake. The place offers various trek for adventure seekers and also an amazing boat ride. The restaurants and eateries around the lake are a great place to eat local food at very cheap prices.

Top Tourist Places in Mount Abu:

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary

Mount Abu is a beautiful hill station endowed with variety of flora and fauna in the land of deserts. The mystifying and beautiful city is a scared pilgrimage spot besides being a summer gateway.

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, rich in Flora and Fauna, is a must visit spot. This wildlife sanctuary covers about 290 sq. km in the hilly terrain of Mt Abu. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and is a paradise for animal and bird watchers. Presence of (last recorded in 1872) and Tiger (last reported in 1970) is a history now, but leopards are still abundant here. Other animals found here are sloth bear, sambhar, jungle cat, small Indian civet, wolf, hyena, jackal, Indian fox, common langur, wild boar, pangolin, common mongoose, Indian hare, porcupine and hedgehog. There are among 250 species of birds which are found here including the rare grey jungle fowl.

Dilwara temples

The Dilwara temples, located about 3 kms from Mount Abu, were mainly built by Vastupal and Tejpal, between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. Surrounded by lush greenery and located on a height above the surrounding areas, these temples are world famous for their stunning use of marble - many visitors consider these to be architecturally superior to even the Taj Mahal. Everything from the doors to the ceilings and the pillars are extremely intricately designed - at one point, the marble ceiling is so finely that it's actually translucent.

Nakki lake

The beautiful Nakki lake is surrounded by hills on all sides and boating here is a blissful experience. This is the only artificial lake in India to be created at a height of more than 1200m from sea level.

Situated in the Aravalli ranges in Mount Abu, Nakki Lake, locally known as the Nakki Jheel is a paradise for nature lovers. Flanked by amazing natural wonders, this lake is truly a gem of Mount Abu. It is the first man-made lake in India with a depth of around 11,000 metres and a width of a quarter of a mile. Located in the centre of the hill station, the fascinating lake is surrounded by lush greenery, mountains and strangely shaped rocks. As you sail through the serene waters of Nakki Lake, it is exciting to see the life of Mount Abu unfolding in front of you. The blowing winds and the soothing temperature of Mount Abu will add to the pleasure of boating and is sure to win your heart.

In the Nakki Lake which is associated with many legends, Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed on 12 February 1948 and Gandhi Ghat was constructed nearby. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers and photography fiends. On the other hand, the attraction is also considered as the love lake of Mount Abu since the clean blue waters with verdant surroundings give a romantic feel. It is also said to be the sacred lake for the proud Garacia Tribe. The nearby natural wonders that are visible from the lake increases its charm.

There is the famous Toad Rock on a hill. It looks like a toad about to jump in the lake. By the side of the lake, there is a path leading to Sunset Point. Raghunath Temple and Maharaja Jaipur Palace are also located on the hills near the Lake. Finally, a trip to the lake is incomplete without the peaceful boat ride. A perfect getaway to nature's lap, the Nakki Lake will add some memorable moments to cherish all through.

Guru Shikhar

This is the highest peak of the Aravali range with an altitude of about 1,722m above sea level. The trek to the top of the mountain is adventurous and fun.

Guru Shikhar is known as the highest peak of the Aravali Range and lies at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu. It is situated at the height of 1722 m above the sea level. One is likely to get a phenomenal view of nature from here. Guru Shikhar is home to many temples such as the temple of Guru Dattatreya. The travelers are also likely to get a beautiful bird view of the Aravalli range from the peak of Guru Shikhar. The peak is dedicated to Guru Dattatreya, and thereby the name Guru Shikhar was derived.

As soon as one climbs the first 35 steps, they are likely to find stalls of hot tea and food being served. The food served is tasty and tastes all the more delicious after the tedious hill climbing that one undergoes. One can buy packed packets of chips or water bottles from the shops present here. One can also find beautiful local art here at affordable prices. Once the tourists reach the peak, they try to ring the bell with the words 1411 AD inscribed on it. The sound of the bell is very loud and can be heard over a long distance.

Achalgarh village

Achalgarh village is a picturesque village in Mount Abu which is famous for the Achalgarh fort and Achleshwar temple. The fortress Achalgarh is situated at the top of a mountain peak.

A 10 minute climb from Achalgarh brings you to the beautiful and historic Jain Temples which are famous for scenic location and beautiful sculpture. The Achleshwar temple is famous for containing a Nandi which is said to be made of 5 metals, fold, silver, copper, brass and zinc.

Trevors Tank

5km from the town, Trevors Tank is a perfect spot for nature lovers. It was actually designed by an engineer named Trevor who used it to breed crocs. It is now a popular picnic spot for both locals and tourists.

Toad Rock

Known as The mascot of Mount Abu, Toad Rock is one of the most frequented point in the itinerary of all visitors. To see the panoramic beauty of the surrounding lake and greenish hilly regions you can climb up the rock and capture the breathtaking scenery.

Adhar Devi Temple

Adhar Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mount Abu. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is located on a peak of the Aravalis. It has a large number of steps devotees need to climb before reaching the temple.

Shri Raghunath Temple

The locals hold faith in Lord Raghunath to whom this temple is dedicated. Located close to the Nakki Lake this is a major religious attraction for tourists. The pilgrim is apparently relieved of all pains and pangs after a visit to this temple.

How to Reach:

To reach Mount Abu by Rail: Abu Road is the nearest railway station just 28 KM from the main city, Which is very well connected by rail routes to New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Mumbai. From Abu Road you can opt for state transport service (usually every hour) or Taxis on both sharing and private basis. To book car/taxi in advance visit here.

To reach Mount Abu by Air: The nearest airport is Udaipur at a distance of 185 km, But Ahmedabad is having better connectivity and daily flights with other parts of the country and is just 221 KM from Mount Abu, from Ahmedabad or Udaipur you can book Taxi in advance.

To reach Mount Abu by Road: Mount Abu is well connected by road with major cities of the country, nearest national highway no. 14 is just 24 KM's.