Mount Abu
The state of Rajasthan is known for its scorching heat coupled with the flowing of hot winds or loo in the summers. Even during the winters the days are warm. Housing the Thar Desert, the state has its fair share of the desert’s heat wave flowing through it throughout the year. However, there is one little respite for the people living in the state. Mount Abu, Rajasthan is the only hill station in the state. The hill station is touted as an oasis in the desert, for its peaks are home to rivers and evergreen forests, a sight for sore eyes in the desert state of Rajasthan.
There is some mythology related to the state, shedding some light about Mount Abu and its origin. Legend has it that a serpent name Arbuda saved the life of Nandi the bull on the mountain, which is the current Mount Abu. This gave Mount Abu its first name as Arbudaranya, a lesser known fact about Mount Abu. The state lies on the border of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and the highest peak is Guru Shikhar at 5650 ft. The hill station also houses the headquarters for the Brahma Kumaris. As far as the climate is concerned, there is a little bit of the desert’s heat during the summer season, with highest temperatures around 36 degree Celsius, but the ample of rains together with the winters give the place a mellow environment for most of the year.
Talking about Mount Abu sightseeing, there are quite a few tourist attractions in the place. Some of the places to visit in Mount Abu are:
1. Dilwara Temples
Dilwara Temple in Mount Abu
There are quite a few temples in Mount Abu, but the Dilwara temples are the pick of the lot. The Dilwara temples located a mere 3 km away from Mount Abu are a sacred site for Jains. The beautiful use of marbles gives the otherwise simple architecture of the temple a whole new dimension of beauty and grace, leading to it being regarded as the Jain temples with the most architectural perfection. The intricate stone work done on the ceilings, doorways and panels is truly a sight to witness. There are five of them located among the forests atop the hills, and guided tours are available for all.
2. Nakki Lake
Nakki lake in Mount abu Rajasthan
The heart of all activity of Mount Abu, the scenic Nakki Lake is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the hill station. The name of the lake is so as it has some stories related to it being carved out by the nails of a god. The lake is surrounded by mountains covered with thick forests, and rocks that are of interesting shapes. One of them, called Toad Rock, closely resembles a toad about to hop into the lake. A stroll around the perimeter or a boat ride is a great way to spend quality time at Nakki Lake, making it one of the best places to visit in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
3. Brahma Kumaris Peace Hall and Museum
Brahma Kumaris is an organization with its aim as the establishment of universal peace. It teaches that all religions are equal, and following each one diligently leads to the almighty. They teach people that they should focus on the good things in all religions, rather than following the religious dogma. Started in 1930, they are now a worldwide organization, with their headquarters in Mount Abu, India. The organization runs the Peace Park on the road to Guru Shikhar and Museum in the city, with the museum giving some of their powerful teachings.
Information for interested tourists
Aravalli – mount abu
The best time to visit the place is right after the monsoon ends and winters begin, that is somewhere around the month of September, for the weather is as pleasant as one can experience during that time. For those who associate hill stations with snow, they can visit Mount Abu during winters. One can easily reach Mount Abu by rail or road, for its connectivity with both is excellent. The nearest airport is in Udaipur, which is 290 km away. Mount Abu sightseeing, like all tourist places, is not over until you have a look at its marketplace. The whole city is a bustling bazaar. Being on the border of two states, the city has handicraft items of good quality from both states to offer to its tourists. Jewelry, quilts, wooden craft items are the things you can decide to buy from the shops. One can even find Rajasthani and Gujarati food with similar ease and equally delicious taste. The hill station is well stocked with good hotels giving great view of the mountains. With all its tourist attractions and blend of the cultures of the two states, Mount Abu, Rajasthan is definitely a place to visit for those who love traveling.
