A sought-after hill station in the Aravalli range, Mount Abu is located in the state of Rajasthan, near the Gujarat border. Other than its scenic beauty, it is a place of religious importance for the Jain community. It is famous for sacred religious monuments and is a peaceful getaway. Located so close to a desert, it is alluring with its lakes, greenery, parks, monuments and mesmerising views. It also has wildlife sanctuaries and is well connected to nearby cities such as Udaipur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer by road and also has a train station close by which is accessible by bus or cab.
Here’s a bucket list for you, for the next time you visit Mount Abu, we wouldn’t want you to miss out on these attractions.
Dilwara Jain Temple
The Dilwara Jain Temple is renowned and known widely for its fine craftsmanship. Adorned with intricate designs and patterns, it is an absolute delight for pilgrims, architecture and history enthusiasts. The temple is made up of five temples and was built by the Chalukyas sometime between the 11th and 16th Centuries. It can be accessed by cab, autos or taxi directly from Mount Abu railway station or bus stop.
Nakki Lake
Nakki lake is a famous artificial lake and the first of its kind built so high above the sea level. It is famous for the scattering of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes and the Gandhi Ghat, attracting many tourists simply for the legends it is associated with. It is nestled between the lush green hills on all sides and is quite the scenic spot for picnics and breezy evenings. People also enjoy boating here and it is otherwise called the Love Lake of Mount Abu for the romantic views and ambience.
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is a famous spot for flora and fauna lovers. It has many viewpoints and covers a huge area. It is a popular destination for eco-tourism and has many varieties of animals and plants. The sanctuary has plenty of rose, bamboo and orchid-rich sections and is home to endangered and near-extinction animals and birds. It houses the famous leopard sloth, wild boar, grey jungle fowl and sambars. Lions and tigers were also once a part of this area but have not been spotted for long. The Sanctuary is easily reachable by cabs or buses which will drop you off right at the entrance of the sanctuary.
Toad Rock
Toad Rock is a famous wonder of nature that was formed by the action of wind on sandstones during the last arctic era, some 10,000 – 50,000 years ago. It is close to Nakki lake and has about 250 steps to reach the actual monument. Toad rock is quite literally in the shape of a sitting toad and hence the amusing name. It is situated at a short distance from Mount Abu centre and has many buses and cabs that will take the route.
Achalgarh Fort
The Achalgarh fort is situated around 11 km from Mount Abu and was built by the Paramara dynasty in the 9th century, only to be rebuilt later by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and was renamed Achalgarh. It has huge fortifications and exceptional architecture. Close by there is also the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple devoted to Lord Shiva and is an attraction among the devotees.
The fort is connected to Mount Abu by road and can be accessed by taxi or bus. It makes for easy connectivity and is widely visited by tourists.
Guru Shikhar
Guru Shikhar is a peak in the Arbuda Mountains in Rajasthan. It is famous for being the highest point in the Aravalli Mountain range and Rajasthan. It is named Guru Shikhar, i.e. peak of the Guru after Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There is a cave at the peak which houses a temple dedicated to him, alongside one dedicated to his mother. Close by to the peak is also the Mt Abu Observatory. Tourists often visit Guru Shikhar for its natural beauty and spiritual importance.
Since it is located at a distance of 15 km from Mount Abu, it has good road connectivity and is a 30 min drive. One can find taxis, cabs or buses for the route.
Trevor’s Tank
On the way to Guru Shikhar, is Trevor’s Tank, about 5 km from the city. It is famous for its scenic views and of course, crocodiles. People often visit this paradise for picnics, with exceptional views of the surrounding area. It is also called Trevor’s Crocodile Park. There is a jungle safari but only up to a point after which one can simply walk the rest of the way to the ponds and check out the various species of crocodiles. It is a man-made crocodile breeding site and an ecological sanctuary. Tourists spend time amidst nature, enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
People often visit Mount Abu in the colder months, enjoying the breezy weather and cooler climate, thanks to the closeness of the desert. It is well connected to major cities by road and tourists enjoy driving up to this captivating city. A three-to-four-day trip is sufficient to explore all the important spots in Mount Abu, but of course, a longer stay would be welcome and an excellent relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.