Get lost in the Ceaseless Charm of Mount Abu, an Oasis of Beauty and Tranquility

Mount Abu 

The hill town and charm of Mount Abu is nowhere less than a surprise in the dusty and arid land of Rajasthan. Nestled at the height of 4000 feet above sea level, it is an oasis of beauty and tranquility.

For most of the people across the country, Rajasthan is one such state of India that is primarily defined by its dry and dusty landscape. One thinks of Rajasthan as a place that is full of never-ending sand and no vegetation. To a large extent, this seems true. But there is an oasis of beauty amidst the dusty setting that could be an example of nature’s magic – Mount Abu.

Once a land of great saints and sages, there is a long-standing belief that it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon who used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth resided and performed a yagna to develop four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to defend the earth from demons.

Let’s find out why it is worth taking a trip out of Mount Abu:
 

See India’s finest temples

Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Dilwara Temples are one of the premium attractions in Mount Abu.These temples are situated about 2.5 km away from the busy town of Mount Abu. A holy pilgrimage spot for the Jain community, they are considered one of the best specimens of majestic Indian temple architecture. The complex is inclusive of five temples—Vimal Vasahi, Luna Vasahi, Pithalhar, Parshvanath, Mahavir Swami—each of which is devoted to a respected Jain leader. Take a walk through each and appreciate the lavish entrances, intricately-carved ceilings, doorways, pillars, panels, and domes.

Witness a striking sunset

The Sunset Point in Mount Abu promises to offer a remarkable sight of the dynamically changing skyline against the Aravali Hills. Take your camera out and walk up the cobble pathways along Nakki Lake for about a km to reach this scenic place.Those who do not want to take a walk can also take a pony ride. Among all the major attractions of Mount Abu, this is one activity that not only entices photographers but general people too.
 

Indulge in street shopping

With the presence of various street shops and handicraft stores, Mount Abu offers a unique shopping experience to travelers. Some of the famous spots include the Nakki Lake market for amazing bargains, the handicraft hub Rajasthali Emporium, Khadi Bhandar for fabrics, the Chacha Museum for wooden and brass objects and the Kashmir cottage Emporium for shawls and carpets.

Relish the wilderness

Abundant in flora and fauna and home to a wide range of wild species, the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary stretches up to 19 km in length and 6 km in breadth. The altitude varies from 300 m to 1722 m at Guru Shikhar, the highest peak in Rajasthan.The sanctuary in Mount Abu is a nature-lover’s paradise—visitors can spot wolves, hyenas, fox, langurs, bears, mongoose, porcupines, and hedgehogs here, but its highlight is its dense population of grey jungle fowls.
 

Remember the divine in a cave

Situated three km away from Mount Abu, the Adhar Devi Temple is made of a large rock and is dedicated to goddess Durga. Once you are done with climbing 365 steep steps and crawl your way into the inner shrine, it is nothing than a visual feast to witness the picturesque views of the quaint town.Indulge in hiking on Rajasthan’s highest peakGet set to experience a never-before adventure by indulging in an adventurous trek to the Guru Shikhar Mountain which is Rajasthan’s highest peak. Located at a height of 5000 ft above the sea level, the peak is also home to the temple of Dattatreya (an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu).
 

Sit beside the lake

Known to have carved out by gods using their nails, the blessed Nakki Lake in Mount Abu is the most sought-after avenue for an early morning walk or a late evening excursion. Take a boat ride, a bargain at the lakeside marketplace or just carry your own picnic basket for a memorable excursion.