Mount Abu

Mount Abu is a popular hill station in the Aravalli Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in western India near the border with Gujarat. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 m (5,650 ft) above sea level. It is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert' as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. Nearest Railway station is Abu Road Railway station which is 27 km away.

A pleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills, Mt.Abu is a green oasis in the barren desertscape that's Rajasthan.

Situated at the southern tip of the Aravali range, the hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The road leading to Mt.Abu is a curved one characterised by arid region dotted with huge rocks in weird shapes and high velocity winds.

The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its stunning array of exquisite Delwara Jain temples, dating back 11th - 13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre.

'Abu' according to a legend, stands for the son of Himalaya, deriving its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent who rescued Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, from a chasm.

Mount Abu has been home to many sages and saints. Most famous of them was Sage Vashishtha who is believed to have created four agnikula Rajput clans from a fire-pit by performing a 'yagna' or fire sacrifice, to protect the earth from the demons.

The Yagna was performed besides a natural spring situated below Abu, emerging from a rock shaped like a cow's head an hence the site was called Gaumukh. Places of visit in Mt.Abu :