Mount Abu - Rajasthan

How to Reach

The nearest airport is Udaipur, which is 185 km away from Mount Abu. There are direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. Abu Road, 28 km from the main city is the nearest railway station. It is well connected by Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur. Mount Abu is well connected by road with major cities of the country like Delhi, Ajmer, Bundi and Udaipur.Deluxe buses run by the Rajasthan roadways provide comfortable travel fro Jaipur and Abu road to Mount Abu.

Tourism

Gaumukh Temple

Down on the Abu Road side of Mount Abu, a small stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow, giving the shrine its name. There is also a marble figure of the bull Nandi, Shiva's vehicle. The tank here, Agni Kund, is said to be the site of the sacrificial fire, made by sage Vashistha, from which four of the great Rajput clans were born. An image of Vashishtha is flanked by the figures of Rama and Krishna. First of all one can reaches to a kund, a water spring flowing out of a stone cow head, an everlasting stream of water flows down to this tank, hence it is called Gaumukh. This is an excellent place for excursions and picnics. Before a few years ago, here had been a hill sliding near this beautiful tank. The place where Vashishth performed a yagna is called Agni kund. It is said that the temple was built on the spot where saint Vashishth performed a yagna to create four major Rajput clans. Next to it is the spring that is said to have emerged from the mouth of a rock shaped like a cow's head. This site now has a marble bull from whose mouth a stream of water flows. Nearby are statues of Nandi, saint Vashishth, Lord Ram, and Lord Krishna.

Delwara Jain Temple

These temples are Rajasthan's only hill station. These temples are Built in 1031 AD (by Vimal Shah-a merchant and representative of then Gujarat ruler), it is a superb example of temple architecture. These are carved in marble and are dedicated to the jain Tirthankaras. The five legendary marble temples of Dilwara are the sacred pilgrimage of the Jains. The Vimal Vasahi temple is the oldest of these dedicated to the first Tirthankara. The Lun Vasahi Temple, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankaras-Neminath, was built in 1231 AD 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, architrave and sculptures on porticos, the temple are a fine specimen of craftsmanship. They are an overwhelming blend of simple beauty and exquisite elegance. The marble temples have an opulent entranceway. The simplicity in architecture verily reminds one that Jainism as a religion "encouraged honesty and frugality". The temples reside amidst mesmerizing surroundings of mango trees and wooded hills. A high wall, shimmering luminous in the sunlight, shrouds the temple complex. Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan but none come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spread over the minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvelous and has to be seen to be believed.

Adhar Devi Temple

he temple is chiselled out of a huge rock reached by a night of 360 stairs. A favorite tourist spot. The Adhar Devi temple is situated at a distance of 3 km to the north of the city. The temple is built on a rock cleave and one has to crouch under the rock to enter the temple. There are 365 steps that take one to the rock on which the temple is built. This temple dedicated to Goddess Durga is regarded as one of the important pilgrimage sites of Mount Abu. This is also a good site to get a panoramic view of the valley. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance to the temple. There are fine views over Mt Abu from up here.

Sunset Point

It provides a lovely view of the setting sun, South-West of Nakki lake, where the sun gradually drowns itself in the azure sky between two mountain peaks, steps lead up to high terrace which offers an awe inspiring view of the setting sun.

Honeymoon Point

Only hill station in Rajasthan, Mt. Abu has successfully caught the fancy of the newly weds for their honeymoon. Perched at an elevation of 1,220 m, Mt. Abu has a pleasant weather unlike that of Rajasthan thus making it popular among the honeymooners for a relaxed time together. Beside the weather, there is lot to see and admire on Honeymoon in Mt. Abu. Honeymoon Point or Anadra Point, Sunset Point, Baylay's Walk, Ganesh Road and Sunset Point. It offers an enchanting view of the verdant plains and valleys. The place looks most beautiful during the dusk hours.

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.

Museum and Art Gallery

Located at the Raj Bhawan, it was a collection of archaeological excavations dating back to 8th-12th century AD It also has Jain bronze carvings, brasswork etc. for viewing.

Exertions

Trevor’s Tank

Trevor’s tank named after the British engineer, is a heaven for the bird watchers, situated amidst the densely wooded hills of the Aravali Ranges. A rich variety of Beautiful birds can be observed. The most important are being the pheasants, peacocks and partridges.

Achalgarh

Situated eleven kilometers north of Mount Abu has a beautiful Shiva temple showcasing many striking features, including the toe of Shiva and group of colorful Jain Temples. Mount Abu is a famous and only hill station of Rajasthan located in the southwest part of Rajasthan. It is a part of the Aravali range. Achalgarh Shiva Temple at Achalgarh near Mt. Abu in Rajasthan is a very famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place is also renowned for some other colorful Jain temples offering splendid views. According to legend, Hindus respect this place because once Nandini, the cow of the sage Vashisht was caught in a deep gorge and could not free itself. The sage called for Lord Shiva's assistance. Shiva sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Sage Vashisht then assured that such mishaps would not occur in future and asked the youngest son of Himalaya to fill the gorge eternally. With the help of the snake, Arbud he successfully completed the task. He took the help of the snake, Arbud. To honor the help, Achalgarh Shiva Temple in Mount Abu is considered to be a revered place amongst all tourists and Hindu pilgrims. This temple dates back to earliest century. Achalgarh Shiva Temple in Mount Abu boasts a number of appealing features ,including what is said to be a toe of Shiva, as well as a brass Nandi (Shiva's vehicle, a bull) and, where the Siva Lingum would normally be, there is a deep hole that is said to extend all the way down to the underworld.

Guru Shikhar

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.