Mount Abu

            Tourist Attractions of Mount Abu

Tourist attractions of Mount Abu include a number of temples, view points, gardens, parks, etc. Given below are is a list of the places to see in Mount Abu:

Dilwara Jain Temple
Mt. Abu, Rajasthan sightseeing tour is incomplete without a visit to the famous Dilwara Jain temples. Built between 11th and 13th century AD, these temples are made up of carved marble. The temples are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. There are five Dilwara temples in Mt. Abu. Out of these, the oldest one is Vimal Vasahi, dedicated to the first Tirthankara. All the Dilwara temples are a marvelous example of temple architecture.

Gaumukh Temple
Gaumukh temple served as the venue for Sage Vashishtha's yagna. The temple has got its name from a nearby natural spring that surges through a carved cow's head. Forming the background of the temple is a sculpted hill temple of Arbuada (the mighty serpent). Close to it is a splendid marble image of Nandi, a celestial bull that Arbuada rescued.

Adhar Devi Temple
Adhar Devi temple is situated approximately 3 km to the north of Mount Abu. Reached by a flight of 360 stairs, the temple was carved out of a huge rock and is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Shri Raghunathji Temple
Shri Raghunathji temple is located near Nakki Lake. Dedicated to Shri Raghunathji, it houses a gorgeous image of the deity placed by Shri Ramanand in 14th century A.D.

Sunset Point
Mount Abu also has a sunset point providing a magnificent view of the setting sun.

Honeymoon Point
You will get captivated by the sight of the lush plains and valleys from the Honeymoon Point, also known as Andra Point.

Gardens and Parks
There are a number of parks and gardens in Mt Abu providing you with natural beauty. Some of them are Shaitan Singh Park, Municipal Park, Terrace Garden, Ashok Vatika, Gandhi Park, etc.

Museum and Art Gallery
The museum and art gallery are located at the Raj Bhawan. A rich collection of archaeological excavations dating back to 8th-12th century A.D. is on display.

Nakki Talab
There is a legend associated with the Nakki Talab. It is believed that gods dug up this artificial lake using their fingernails ('nakh' means nail). There is also a Raghunath temple near the lake, dating back to the 14th century.

Want to get the flavor of tranquil beauty of India? There is hardly a place better than Rajasthan. With a lot of people going to various places in Rajasthan to catch a glimpse of its variety of attractions, tourist footfall in Rajasthan have been constantly increasing. Tourist attractions in Rajasthan are plenty in numbers. However, Mount Abu is a prominent name in that list and manages to attract a lot of tourists. When rest of Rajasthan experiences comparatively less number of tourists due to the scorching heat, Mount Abu experiences a high footfall of tourists as it provides a respite from the scorching heat. Moreover, there are a number of tourist attractions in Mount Abu. These tourist attractions make the only hill station of Rajasthan a favorable place for the tourists.

Endowed with a certain level of divinity, Mount Abu draws a large number of tourists through out the year. The various tourist attractions in Mount Abu offer a lot of variety to the tourists and as a result deliver a satisfying experience to most of the tourists. Some of the Mount Abu tourist attractions are as follows:

Museums in Mount Abu:

The museums in Mount Abu are an integral part of Mount Abu tourist attractions. These museums have a large variety of exhibits that provides a close look of Rajasthan’s past. These exhibits also help the tourist to get a detailed knowledge about the tradition and culture of the place. The various museums of Mount Abu includes

• Mount Abu and Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and Museum
• Archaeological Museum

Monuments in Mount Abu:

The monuments of Mount Abu are also a great attraction for tourists as it not only provides a glimpse into the history of the place but also is a great way to have a look of the marvelous architecture. These structures bar further significance as they are also manifestations of the supreme power of the rulers who used to reign the places during that time. There are a number of monuments in Mount Abu. Some of the most prominent are as follows:

Gaumukh Temple

Another temple in Mount Abu that is worth having a look at is the Gaumukh temple. It is said that the temple marks the venue where Sage Vashishtha conducted his yagna. Flowing near it is a natural spring that gushes through the head of a carved cow (gau), giving the temple its name. The backdrop of the temple is formed by a sculpted hill temple of Arbuada (the mighty serpent), with a marble image of Nandi standing nearby.

Nakki Lake

If peace and calm is what attracts you, then Nakki Lake is the place where you should head. One of the most popular attractions of the hill resort, the lake lures many. Apart from its azure waters, it is the panoramic surroundings that add to its aura. If taking a leisurely walk is not your idea of fun, the opportunity of boating or having a picnic will definitely interest you!

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary

The nature lovers should head to Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary straight away. Located amidst the Aravalli mountainous ranges, the protected area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1960. Apart from being home to a wide variety of endangered wildlife, the sanctuary also serves as a reservoir of the rich floral diversity of the place.

Sunset Point

Being a hill resort, Mt Abu has a number of lookout points within its precincts. Amongst all of them, the best as well as the most popular one is the Sunset Point. Standing amidst heaving vegetation, the lookout point offers beautiful views of sunset as well as the serrated landscape of the hill station. The souvenir shops and food stalls here only add to its attraction.

Museum and Art Gallery

Those who love to delve into history and explore the heritage of a place should head to the Raj Bhawan, when in Mount Abu. The building is home to the Museum and Art Gallery of the hill station. The rich collection of the museum ranges from rare antiques, ancient paintings and sculptures to tribal huts, tribal ornaments and tribal weapons. You can also see delicate statues of Devdasis and the Nartakis here. 

Other Attractions

There are a large number of parks in Mt Abu, serving as the perfect picnic spots. Amongst the most prominent ones are Shaitan Singh Park, Municipal Park, Terrace Garden, Ashok Vatika, Gandhi Park, etc. Other attractions of the hill resort include Adhar Devi temple, Shri Raghunathji temple, Honeymoon Point and Raj Bhawan.

Accommodation

Being one of the favorite tourist destinations in India, Mount Abu has a thriving hospitality industry. There is a wide variety of hotels in Mount Abu. Here, you can indulge in luxurious atmosphere at Hotel Hillock, Hotel Maharaja, Hotel Samrat International, etc. For travelers who are conscious about budget, there are several budget hotels like Hotel Maganji’s, Hotel Lake Palace and Hotel Yorkshire Inn. Besides, if you want to experience the charm of bygone era, the best deals could be thrown by heritage hotels, such as, Palanpur Palace, Kesar Bhawan Palace, Cama Rajputana Club Resort, Udai Garh, Cannaught House, etc.

How to Reach

By Air

Udaipur airport, at a distance of around 185 km, is nearest from Mount Abu. From there, you can get direct flights to cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.

By Rail

Abu Road railway station, around 28 km from Mount Abu, forms the nearest rail link. It is well connected to the major cities in and around Rajasthan.

By Road

A good road network links Mount Abu with the key cities in India. You can easily get buses as well as taxis to and from cities like Delhi, Ajmer, Bundi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Udaipur.