Population: 18,000
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi
Best time to visit: Summer, particularly as a reprieve from the heat of the desert. Throughout the year climate is comfortable and enjoyable; rates in winter can be half that of summer.

Welcome to the only hill resort in the desert land of Rajasthan, Mount Abu, where the lushness of the land has made it famous as the paradise of Rajasthan.
Natural and man-made beauty come together to make this hill station a marvel of scenic wonder, spectacluar architecture and fascinating ancient archeological secrets.

Places to Visit
The hill resort of Mount Abu is renowned for the Jain temples of Dilwara, which have often been compared to the Taj Mahal for their sheer elegance and beauty in marble. The temples date back to the 11th and the 13th century, when workmen carried the brilliant marble all the way from Makrana, where it is renowned for being of an exceptionally fine quality. Only the best workmen and craftsmen could have worked such magic on the marble to produce the exquisite sculptures and intricate carvings that decorate the temples with delicate beauty throughout. There are five Dilwara Temples, all dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras: Vimal Vasahi, Lun Vasahi, Shri Risha Lhdeo, Shri Parshvanath and Shri Mahavir Swami.


You must not leave the hill resort without seeking blessings from the Arbuda Devi, the goddess who lends her name to Mount Abu. The climb up 200 steps on the mountainside to reach the cave of Arbuda Devi, watched by the statues of her three attendants, is well worth the effort.

Well worth the view is the Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of Mount Abu. Atop there is a temple dedicated to Datta-traya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Visit this temple in pink and white and also enjoy the natural beauty of Mount Abu's surroundings, posing if you wish clad in local dress.

Nearby, the Brahmakhadd temple stands dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are statues of Goddess Parvati and Nandi outside the temple, and inside you may worship the sacred pit that is believed to have been created by the Lord Shiva's foot.

Another landmark in the hill resort is the Nakki Lake. As per a legend, the fingernails of a sage, Balam Rasia, drew the Nakki Lake, and the nails, or 'nakk', explain the name of the Lake, Nakki. The sage fell in love with the daughter of the King of Abu, whereuponevents conspired to cause the stepmother of the princess to turn the love story into a tragedy. Today there is a temple of the Kunwari Kanya dedicated to the princess, with a statue of her lover alongside.

Taking a leisurely boat ride across Nakki Lake, you may spot some unusual rock formations.  Toad Rock, Nun Rock, Nandi Rock and Camel Rock can all be picked out. Away from the lake, take a ride on horseback to truly appreciate the lush green beauty of this reprieve from the desert up close. Watch the sun set from this haven into the dusk of Rajasthan's horizons, and understand this to be a miracle land in the desert.