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.
During the British rule in India, it was the favorite summer destination of the British, who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains particularly Rajasthan. It also served as a sanatorium for the troops. The small huts and cottages here tell stories of those times even today.
Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, which emerged from a rock shaped like a cow's head.
According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form - Mount Abu.
Mount Abu attraction: Nakki Lake, Dilwara temple, Adhar Devi Temple.
Dilwara Temples:
These breathtaking beautifully carved Jain temples, situated two miles north of Mount Abu, date back to the 11th and 13th centuries.· They are amongst the finest temples, so intricately and delicately wrought that they look as though they have been carved out of ivory,rather than marble. · They are an absolute must-see for any traveller in Rajasthan.
Nakki Lake:
The word Nakki means finger nails, reflecting the belief that the lake was clawed out of the earth by the fingernails of the gods. It is a pretty lake surrounded by wooden hills being the focal point of the entire town. Boating is a popular pastime, south west of the lake being the Sunset Point with its lovely view of the surrounding hills. From here you can see the sunset spectacularly between two sunset peaks.
Adhar Devi Temple:
Just 3 kms outside the town, this entire temple has been cut out from a single rock. The temple has a flight of some 200 steps and the place offers a scene of sublime beauty.
Best Seasons: Mid-March to June and Mid-September to December
How To Reach
Airways: Nearest airport is Udaipur, 185 kms.
Railways: Abu Road is the closest railhead linked with Ahmedabad, Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur
Roadways: Good network of bus services connect Mount Abu to major cities of Rajasthan and India
