Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill resort and is very popular locally. The hill station stretches along a 22 km long and 6 km wide plateau. It is situated at an altitude of 1,720 m. The population size of Mount Abu is 15,600. Mount Abu

benefits from lower temperatures and cooling breezes. During summer maximum temperature varies between 27-28 degree Celsius, while in winter maximum temperature stays around 22 degree and minimum dips to 10 degree. The main part of the town is around Nakki Talao. The shops and restaurants are clustered in a compact centre. There is attractive countryside to explore as it is well wooded with flowering trees with numerous orchids during the monsoon and a good variety of bird-life.
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
Shaivite shrine and temple to Dattatreya atop Guru Shikhar. A footprint
of Vishnu is on top of Mount Abu. The town of Mount Abu is the world
headquarters of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, a Hindu
breakoff group that has been labeled by critics as a cult.
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
eleventh and thirteenth centuries. The Vimal Vasahi temple is the
oldest, built in 1031 by Vimal Shah, and dedicated to the first of the
Jain Tirthankaras. The Lun Vasahi Temple, built in 1231 by the brothers
Vastupal and Tejpal, who were ministers of Raja Vir Dhawal, a local
ruler of Gujarat who belonged to the Porwal Jain community. Nearby
Achalgarh is a fort, built in the fourteenth century by Rana Kumbha of
Mewar, which encloses several beautiful Jain temples, including the
Achaleswar Mahadev Temple (1412) and the Kantinath Temple (1513).
ShoppingThere
are numerous stalls selling trinkets and ready-made clothing. Rajasthan
Emporium is near State Bank of India, Raj Bhavan road, opposite bus
stand. Other good places to shop are Saurashtra Emporium and Khadi
Gramudyog.
Sightseeing
- Brahma Kumaris Spritual University & Museum
The
Brahma Kumaris Spritual University & Museum attracts hordes of
visitors from India and abroad. The Brahma Kumaris hold that all
religions lead to God and are therefore equally valid. They
accordingly put emphasis on studying principles of all religions.
The Universitys stated aim is the establishment of universal
peace through spiritual knowledge and training of yoga meditation.
- Adhar Devi Temple
The Adhar Devi Temple, only 3 km
north of the town, is an ancient Durga temple built in a natural
cleft in a rock. The place affords excellent views of Mount Abu.
- Dilwara Temples
The Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu were
built between 11 - 13th century and command supreme respect in the
heart of Jain community. The beauty of the temple complex is
enhanced by the intensive use of white marble which lends it a
pristine charm.
How to reach
- By Air
The nearest Airport to Mount Abu is Udaipur
(185 Km) from where one can hire a taxi, travel by bus to get to
Mount Abu. Udaipur is well connected by air to Delhi, Mumbai, and
Jaipur.
- By Road
Mount Abu is 264 km from Jodhpur and is
connected to all the major cities in Rajasthan by road. Regular
buses and taxis ply on this road.
- By Rail
The nearest rail head to Mount Abu is Abu
Road 29 Km away. Abu Road is connected to both Ahmedabad and Jodhpur
by train. Facility for hiring taxies or travelling by bus are
available at the station to get to Mount Abu.