Situated at 1,722 meters above sea level, Mount Abu is the only hill station in the beautiful desert state of Rajasthan. Sitting at that height, this city experiences comparatively colder weather throughout the year and offers some of the most exquisite sceneries in the country. This city on top of the Aravali Plateau is adorned with pristine lakes, beautiful temples, ancient forts, and royal Havelis. All of these also exhibit marvelous architecture that is nothing short of a reminder of the royal times that this place has seen.
Beautiful natural landscapes complement the royal Rajasthani architecture in this town to make it a hill station that you cannot afford to miss. Not just that, Mount Abu also offers a plethora of options for the adrenaline junkies that might be visiting.
Regardless of what plan you have in mind when visiting Mount Abu, this place will not disappoint you. The cold climate and the serenity of the lush greenery that surrounds you in a place as royal as this one is going to make you come back. To help you plan your trip better, here’s our Mount Abu travel guide.
History And Culture Of Mount Abu
Mount Abu has a deep and vast history that begins in the Puranas. It is said that all the 330 million gods visited this place. In those times, it was called ‘Arbudaanchal’ and was also the abode for many saints and Godmen. Eventually, Arbudaanchal turned into Mount Arbud, which was shortened to Mount Abu.
Talking about some relatively modern history, the entire state of Rajasthan fell under British rule after it was invaded by the Mughals. Under British rule, Colonel Todd rediscovered this hill station and made Mount Abu became a preferred vacation spot by the Rajput rulers along with the British officials.
After the British rule in India was over and we formed a constitution, Mount Abu gained significance as a tourist spot, since the tourism industry was starting to pick up across the country and this place already had the foundations of an exemplary tourist attraction.
The culture of Mount Abu is a melting pot of many different flavors. You have people from all castes and creeds living harmoniously in this part of the world. Rajasthani cuisine is just as spicy as it is colorful and will fill you up before you notice. As for religion, there are three major religions in Mount Abu. The people here follow Hinduism, Jainism, and Christianity. Even during the British era, this region was leased out to the British Raj by the Maharaja Of Sirohi. Due to this, the majority of the population is Hindu.
How To Get To Mount Abu
By Air
The airport closest to the hill station of Mount Abu is in Jaipur. The Dabok Airport is about 190 km away from Mount Abu and is very well connected to this hill station. Travelers can get cabs from the airport itself that ply between Jaipur and Mount Abu.
Another option to get to Mount Abu is to get a flight to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. At 220 km away from Mount Abu, it’s a little farther away from the hill station. However, it has a wider array of flights coming in, domestically as well as internationally.
By Rail
The closest railway station to the hill station of Mount Abu is called Abu Road Railway Station. It’s fairly well connected to major cities in the neighboring states. Frequent trains are going to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. Some of the more prominent trains that make a stop at Abu Road Station are Ahmedabad Mail, Ala Hazrat Express, and Ajmer Express. From the railway station, you can get government-run or private buses as well as taxis that go to Mount Abu.
By Road
Mount Abu is very well connected to state as well as national highways. You can get buses run by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation or RSRTC, as well as private buses that ply between Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. If you’re driving on your own, you can get to Jaipur from your location of origin and stop there for a break. After which, you can get on NH 76 and NH 79 for about 10 hours to get to Mount Abu.
Best Time To Travel To Mount Abu
Even though Mount Abu experiences relatively colder temperatures, you can visit the hill station all year round. However, depending on which season you visit Mount Abu, you’ll find something different to do.
The summer season in this area lasts between March and June. The days do get very hot, but the temperature does not go over 33°C, making it the ideal time to visit Mount Abu. The evenings are pleasant and present the tourists with an opportunity to visit the many festivals held in Rajasthan in summer.
The months between July and October are the monsoon months in Mount Abu. Being a hill station, it receives relatively low rainfall and the entire place gets filled with mountain mist. If you want to take a trip that is dedicated to natural beauty and adventure, Mount Abu in the monsoon is the perfect place.
Last but not least, the winter season is arguably the best time to visit Mount Abu. The temperatures go below 12°C but not to freezing temperatures, making it pleasantly cold. The best part is that you get the cold, mist, and natural beauty of the monsoon without the actual rains. A lot of honeymooners prefer this time to come to this part of the world.
Getting Around Mount Abu
Mount Abu has a lot of places to see and they are fairly spread out. Well, these places are far enough to make it very hard to cover the entirety of the town on foot. Majorly, traveling through the hill station is facilitated by government-run buses and taxis.
However, for the more adventurous type of visitors, scooters and bikes are easily available for rent and they are fairly reasonable. Moreover, you can also rent a bicycle to get around town if you have the time. Our suggestion is to get yourself a two-wheeler of your preference since that will allow you to travel at a decent speed while also being able to enjoy the beauty of everything that surrounds you in Mount Abu.
Breaking Stereotypes
“Rajasthan is nothing but a desert.”
The most common stereotype about this state is that you will only be surrounded by sand wherever you go. However, Mount Abu is huge evidence of how wrong that statement is. It boasts a lot of green cover along with lakes and natural beauty. The sights that this place offers are truly incomparable. Not yet convinced? Keep reading to know about some of the best places to check out in Mount Abu.
Go Check Out
Delwara Temples
The Delwara Temples is actually a pair of Jain temples that have been around since 1031 AD when the work on the older of the two temples started. Both of these temples have some exquisite carvings on the walls and legend says that it took a group of around 1,500 masons about 14 years to build them.
What makes these temples so special is the carving done all around the structures. It is said that the workers were told that they would be paid according to the amount of dust they collected off of their carvings, urging them to make finer cuts to the stone.
Still in the middle of the deep green cover of Mount Abu, these temples are the epitome of serenity. They are religiously significant enough to attract a substantial crowd of devotees every year.
Nakki Lake
Nakki Lake is arguably the largest attraction in Mount Abu. The folklore tells the story of a god who scooped out a piece of land on this mountain using his nails, giving rise to the depths that are now called the Nakki Lake.
This legend, along with the presence of the 14th-century Raghunath Temple on the shore, makes it a religiously significant tourist spot. Even if you’re not here for the temple or the myth, you can enjoy the beauty of the lake and also go out for boating, which is very popular at this lake.
Guru Shikhar
Guru Shikhar is the highest point in the state of Rajasthan. At 1,722 meters high, the peak of this mountain is one of the most popular stops on the Rajasthan tour offered by RSRTC. There is a temple on the peak of this mountain by the name of Atri Rishi Temple. Guru Shikhar holds some of the best views that you can find in Mount Abu. Considering it is Mount Abu, that bar is set high as is.
FAQs
What Is Mount Abu Famous For?
Mount Abu is a hill station in the Aravalli mountain range that is famous for its cultural and religious artifacts relating to Jainism. Moreover, this place is blessed with natural beauty all year round and is known as the ‘summer capital of Rajasthan’.
Which Time Is Best For Mount Abu?
Mount Abu is a great place to visit all year round. However, the months between November and March see the biggest number of tourists flocking to this hill station.
What Should I Wear In Mount Abu?
The mornings in Mount Abu are usually cold and bright. You can choose to wear a light sweatshirt and sunglasses are a must. However, do make sure to hold on to some warm clothes as the day proceeds and the temperature drops further.
Does Mount Abu Experience Snowfall?
While Mount Abu is a hill station at a significant elevation, there is no recorded snowfall in this place. However, it does get cold enough that you might want to carry proper winter wear when traveling here. Even the summer season warrants a light sweatshirt in the evenings.
How Far Is Udaipur From Mount Abu?
Udaipur is around 163 km from Mount Abu.
How Far Is Mount Abu From Delhi?
Mount Abu is around 751 km away from Delhi.
Is there An Airport In Mount Abu?
Mount Abu doesn’t have an airport. The nearest aerodromes are in Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
Which State Is Mount Abu In?
Mount Abu is located in the rich state of Rajasthan.
