Getty Images/iStockphoto

Mt Abu

Rajasthan’s only hill station nestles among green forests on the state’s highest mountain at the southwestern end of the Aravalli Hills and close to the Gujarat border. Quite unlike anywhere else in Rajasthan, Mt Abu provides Rajasthanis, Gujaratis and a small number of foreign tourists with respite from scorching temperatures and arid terrain elsewhere. It’s a particular hit with honeymooners and middle-class families from Gujarat.

Mt Abu town sits towards the southwestern end of the plateau-like mountain, which stretches about 19km from end to end and 6km from east to west. The town is surrounded by the 289-sq-km Mt Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, which extends over most of the mountain.

The mountain is of great spiritual importance for both Hindus and Jains and has more than 80 temples and shrines, most notably the exquisite Jain temples at Delwara, built between 400 and 1000 years ago.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Mt Abu.

Jain Temple
Delwara Temples
These remarkable Jain temples are Mt Abu’s most remarkable attraction and feature some of India’s finest temple decoration. They predate the town of Mt Abu by many centuries and were built when this site was just a remote mountain wilderness. It’s said that the artisans were paid according to the amount of dust they collected, encouraging them to carve ever more intricately. Whatever their inducement, there are two temples here in which the marble work is dizzyingly intense.
Lake
Nakki Lake
Scenic Nakki Lake, the town’s focus, is one of Mt Abu’s biggest attractions. It’s so named because, according to legend, it was scooped out by a god using his nakh (nails). Some Hindus thus consider it a holy lake. It’s a pleasant 45-minute stroll around the perimeter – the lake is surrounded by hills, parks and strange rock formations. The best known, Toad Rock, looks like a toad about to hop into the lake.
Mountain
Guru Shikhar
At the northeast end of the Mt Abu plateau, 17km by the winding road from the town, rises 1722m-high Guru Shikhar, Rajasthan’s highest point. A road goes almost all the way to the summit and the Atri Rishi Temple, complete with a priest and distant, though often hazy, views. A popular spot, it’s a highlight of the RSRTC tour; if you decide to go it alone, a 4WD from Mt Abu will cost ₹800 return.
Viewpoint
Sunset Point
Sunset Point is a popular place to watch the brilliant setting sun. Hordes stroll out here every evening to catch the end of the day, the food stalls and all the usual jolly hill-station entertainment. To get there, follow Sunset Point road west of the polo ground out of town.
Wildlife Reserve
Mt Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
This 289-sq-km sanctuary covers much of the mountain plateau and surrounds the town of Mt Abu. It is home to leopards, deer, foxes and bears. Contact Mt Abu Treks to arrange an overnight stay.
Hindu Temple
Achaleshwar Mahandeva
This fascinating, atmospheric Shiva temple, 8km northeast of Mt Abu in Achalgarh (off the road to Guru Shikhar), boasts a number of diverting features, including what’s said to be a toe of Shiva, as well as Nandi (Shiva’s bull) made of five metals. Where the lingam (phallic image of Shiva) would normally be there’s a deep hole, believed by devotees to extend all the way down to the underworld.
Hindu Temple
Gaumukh Temple
Down off the road to Abu Road, 8km south of Mt Abu town, a small stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow, giving this shrine its name ( gaumukh means cow’s mouth). There’s also a marble figure of the Nandi (Shiva’s bull). Legend tells that the tank here, Agni Kund, was the site of the yagna (sacrificial fire) made by the sage Vasishta, from which were born the four Agnivanshi (Fire-Born) Rajput clans.
Notable Building
Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
The white-clad people around town are studying at Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University. This organisation teaches that all religions lead to God and that the principles of each should be studied. The university’s aim is the establishment of universal peace through ‘the impartation of spiritual knowledge and training of easy raja yoga meditation’. For many, the teachings are intensely powerful; for others, it gives off a spooky New Age–sect vibe.
Museum
Government Museum
The highlight of this small, seldom-visited museum is the sculpture gallery, with works from the ancient town of Chandravati, 7km from Mt Abu, dating from the 6th to 12th centuries. Note the sculpture of the snake girl Vish Kanya breastfeeding a snake – something not to attempt at home. It also features a diorama illustrating local tribal life.