Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan and is at an elevation of 1,220 m (4,003 ft). This climate here is cool due to its location on the Aravali Range. In fact, the highest peak of the Aravallis fall within Mount Abu. The hill station rests on a plateau surrounded by lush green forest and offers great views of the plains below. There are many specific viewpoints including Honeymoon Point and Sunset Point, to enjoy these picturesque sights. Nakki Lake is a popular spot to enjoy boating in Mount Abu. The best time to visit Mount Abu is from July to February.

The other attractions at Mount Abu are Wildlife Sanctuary, Nakki Lake, Dilwara Temple, Toad Rock, Guru Shikhar, Achalgarh Village, GuruShikhar

The ancient name of Mount Abu is Arbudaanchal. In the Puranas, the section has been referred to as Arbudaranya (“forest of Arbhuda“) and ‘Abu’ is a little of this ancient name. It is believed that sage Vashistha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu following his differences with sage Vishvamitra. There is another tradition according to which a serpent named “Arbuda” saved the life of Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull). The incident happened on the mountain that is currently known as Mount Abu and so the mountain is named “Arbudaranya” after that incident which gradually became Abu.

The downfall of Mount Abu in 1311 CE by RaoLumba of Deora-Chauhanfamily brought to an end the reign of the Parmars and marked the decline of Mount Abu. He shifted the capital city to Chandravati in the plains. After the destruction of Chandravati in 1405, RaoShasmal made Sirohi his headquarters. Later it was leased by the British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarters.

The mountain is a place to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi Temple (also known as Arbuda Devi Temple), carved out of solid rock; the ShriRaghunathji Temple; and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak and a number of Jain templesincluding Dilwara Temples.

The Achalgarh Fort, constructed in the 14th century by Kumbha of Mewar, is close and at its center is the popular visitor’s  attraction of the Nakki Lake. The Toad Rock is on a hill near the lake. Nearby to the fort is the AchaleshwarMahadev Temple, a popular Shiva temple.

The extremelycomplicatedconstruction of the Dilwara temples are of course the main magnetism here, and one can easily spend hours suspiciously how these temples were built over 2 centuries, almost a 1000 years back. The temples were definitely made so that they are plain from the outside to avoid attraction of burglars, and have survived the test of time extremely well.

Mount Abu isencircled by dense green forests. Thisis an example of popular and typical destination of a romantic and simpler nature.

By LawZ Bureau,