Mount Abu
Mount Abu (Mt. Abu)
A pleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills, Mt. Abu is a green
oasis in the barren desertscape that's 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. The only
hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its
stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain Temples, dating back 11th- 13th
centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre. Abu according to a legend stands
for the son of Himalayan, deriving its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent
who rescued Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, from a chasm.
Mount Abu has been home to many sages and saints. Most famous of them was Sage
Vashishtha who is believed to have created four agnikula Rajput clans from a
fire-pit by performing a yagna or fire sacrifice, to protect the earth from the
demons.
The Yagna was performed besides a natural spring situated below Abu, emerging
from a rock shaped like a cows head and hence the site was called Gaumukh.
Transportation
Air: Nearest airports are Udaipur and Ahmedabad.
Rail: Nearest railhead is Abu Road (27 kms).
Road: By road Mount Abu to Ahmedabad 214 kms, Bombay 835 kms, Delhi 768
kms, Jaipur 515 kms, Udaipur 182 kms, Jodhpur 291 kms, Ranakpur 168 kms.
Bus: Regular buses connect Mount Abu with Abu Road, Achalgarh, Ahmedabad,
Ranakpur, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Abu Road. Toll Tax : Rs. 3/- for visitors to Mount
Abu by Car. Vehicle Tax : Car Rs. 5/-, Bus Rs. 10/-
Taxi: Taxis and Jeeps are available from Abu Road to Mount Abu.
What to see
Gaumukh Temple: A natural spring flowing through a sculpted cows 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.
Dilwara 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.
Adhar Devi Temple: The temple is chiselled out of a huge rock reached by a
flight of 360 stairs. A favourite tourist spot.
Sunset Point: Spectacular sight of the setting sun when the hills are covered in
the golden glow can be viewed from here.
Honeymoon Point: Also known as Andra 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 A.D. It also has Jain
bronze carvings,brassworks etc. for viewing.
Excursions
Trevors Tank (5 km): Named after the British engineer who constructed it,
Trevors 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 (1513 A.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 birds 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.
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RAJASTHAN
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What to Pack
New Delhi Tour
Rajasthan Historic tour 10 days
Mewari Tour with Agra 7 days
Classic Golden Triangle tour 7 days
Rajasthan Wildlife Safari tour 6 days
Rajasthan Real Adventure 16 days
Rajasthan Tour with Agra 15 days
Jaipur city tour with Pushkar 4 days
Rajasthan Desert tour 7 days
Classic Desert tour 11 days
Jaipur city tour 3 days
Jaipur Tour
Rajasthan Tiger tour 6 days
Romantic Rajasthan tour 10 days
Mughal Triangle tour 6 days
Cultural Rajasthan tour 15 days
Jaipur city tour with Pushkar 4 days
Jaipur city tour 3 days
Magic of Rajasthan tour 15 days
Agra Tour
Rajasthan Kings tour 9 days
Rajasthan Treasure tour 7 days
Rajasthan Travel tour 14 days
Magical Golden Triangle tour 6 days
Rajasthan Package tour 12 days
Ahmedabad Tour
Ancient Rajasthan tour 15 days
Colors of Rajasthan 11 days
Jodhpur Tour
Classic Desert tour 11 days
Magical Rajasthan tour 10 days
Udaipur Tour
Palace tours of Rajasthan 11 days
Forts of Rajasthan tour 11 days
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