Being the only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is located the Sirohi district amidst the Aravalli Range. Situated at an elevation of 1,220 meters above sea level, Mount Abu is surrounded by lakes, rivers, forests and waterfalls and often referred to as ‘an Oasis in the Desert’. The hill town has been of importance since the Vedic period and is mentioned in the Puranas as the place where the sage Vashishta retired following his conflict with the sage Vishvamitra. The mountains were later ceded as a part of the Rajputana kingdom and were used as a summer resort for the royal Rajput family.
The name Mount Abu refers to the mythical snake Arbuda who once saved the life of Lord Shiva’s sacred bull, Nandi. The region was thus named as Arbudaranaya that literally means the ‘forests of Arbuda’. The town houses several Hindu temples most of which were built in the ancient and the medieval periods, and several view spots that allow panoramic views of the Aravalli hills and surrounding plains, rivers and forests.
Climatic Conditions
As Mount Abu is the only hill station in the desert state of Rajasthan, it is well frequented by people from both Rajasthan and Gujarat in the summers. The temperatures never go beyond 30 degrees during the summer season which is relatively low as compared to the scorching temperatures of the desert plains. The monsoon season between July and September see plenty of rainfall causing considerable drops in the temperatures. The winters in Mount Abu are pleasant and dry and mildly cold during the day and can get really chilly at nights. The average winter temperature ranges between 20 degrees and 4 degrees Celsius.
Best Time to Visit
The town is mostly visited by people during the summer months as a refuge from the burning desert sun and winds in the lower plains. Nevertheless, the best time to visit Mount Abu is between September and November during the autumn season. As the months of October and November also mark the start of the festive season, Mount Abu becomes a major attraction due to the several cultural and religious programs that are organized here with a pleasant climate and frequent showers from the retreating monsoons.
Attractions/Things to Do
Most people visit Mount Abu due to the perennially cool climate and lush green surroundings. However the town and its surrounding areas are no short of tourist attractions. Being a famous pilgrim town, it is visited by thousands of Hindu pilgrims who visit the town’s several temples that belong to the Hindu and the Jain community. Boating, trekking and rock climbing are the various activities that adventure seekers can do here along with visiting the numerous historical monuments located here.
Achalgarh Fort, Dilwara Jain Temple, Nakki Lake, Sunset Point, Guru Shikhar, Adhar Devi, Trevor’s Crocodile Park, Gaumukh and Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary are among the major tourist attractions in Mount Abu.
How to Reach
Mount Abu is well connected with the major cities and towns in Rajasthan via roads and railways. The nearest domestic airport is located 185 kilometers away in the lake town of Udaipur which is connected to Mount Abu via express highways. The Mount Abu railway station is well connected to the other cities and accessible via Jaipur and Delhi. Buses are available from most major cities like Udaipur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Baroda along with taxi services.
Distance from Major Cities
1. Sirohi to Mount Abu – 58 Kilometers
2. Udaipur to Mount Abu – 161 Kilometers
3. Jodhpur to Mount Abu – 278 Kilometers
4. Ajmer to Mount Abu – 381 Kilometers
5. Jaipur to Mount Abu – 510 Kilometers
6. Ahmedabad to Mount Abu – 225 Kilometers
7. Indore to Mount Abu – 547 Kilometers
8. Mumbai to Mount Abu – 744 Kilometers
9. Delhi to Mount Abu – 770 Kilometers
10. Chandigarh to Mount Abu – 1,004 Kilometers
11. Lucknow to Mount Abu – 1061 Kilometers
12. Hyderabad to Mount Abu – 1,369 Kilometers
13. Bangalore to Mount Abu – 1,721 Kilometers
14. Kolkata to Mount Abu – 1,976 Kilometers
15. Chennai to Mount Abu – 2,065 Kilometers
Accessibility and Accommodation
Being known for its immense hospitality, Mount Abu has no shortage of accommodation and lodging facilities for the tourists. From budget lounges to mid-ranged hotels to luxury resorts, Mount Abu has it all. It is also a popular destination for the honeymooning couples and special discounts are offered to newly wedded couples during the monsoons. Getting around the town is mostly facilitated through local and government buses and taxi rickshaws. Hiring a bicycle or a motorcycle is quiet a popular way of getting around the town. If you’re a foreign tourist, it is a personal recommendation to hire and ride the Royal Enfield motorcycle in Mount Abu.
Useful info. I want to fly from Bangalore will it be convenient to book for Udaipur or Ahmedabad. Any other place in Gujarat please?