Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan It is located in Sirohi district. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, at 1722 meters above sea level. It is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert', as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests.
In the Puranas, the region has been referred to as Arbudaranya, ("forest of Arbhu")
and 'Abu' is a dimunitive of this ancient name. It is believed that sage Vasishtha
retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu after following his differences with sage
Vishvamitra.
PLACE TO VISIT
The town of Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is located at an elevation of
1220 meters. It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and
neighbouring Gujarat for centuries. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was
established in 1960 and covers 290 km² of the mountain.
Mount Abu is home to a number of Jain temples. The Dilwara Temples are a complex of temples, carved of white marble, that were built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. The oldest of these is the Vimal Vasahi temple, built in 1031 AD by Vimal Shah and dedicated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. The Lun Vasahi Temple were built in 1231 AD by the brothers Vastupal and Tejpal, who belonged to the Porwal Jain community. They were ministers of Raja Vir Dhawal, a local ruler of Gujarat.
The Achalgarh fort, built in the 14th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar, stands nearby. It encloses several beautiful Jain temples, including the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple (1412) and the Kantinath Temple (1513).
Nakki Lake is another popular visitor attraction of Mount Abu.There is the Toad Rock
on a hill near the lake. Raghunath Temple and Maharaja Jaipur Palace are also on
hills near Nakki Lake.
The mountain is also home to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi
Temple, carved out of solid rock; the Shri Raghunathji Temple; and a shrine and
temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak. The world headquarters of the
Brahma Kumari order of lady renunciates is also located here, as is the World
Spiritual University of the same denomination. There is also believed to be a
footprint of Vishnu on top of Mount Abu. The Durga temple, Ambika Mata Temple lies
in a cleft of rock in Jagat, just outside of Mount Abu.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest railhead is Abu Road, about 25 kms away, in the lowlands. Abu Road is on the railway line from Ahmedabad to Marwar Junction (onwards to Jaipur and Delhi or Jodhpur).
At Abu Road, car-taxis and cabs are available as well as state transport and private buses to take you to Mt Abu.
