Introduction to Mount Abu: Perched at an altitude of 1,220 metres above sea level, Mt. Abu is Rajasthan’s only hill station. It is around 180 km away from Jodhpur, the second biggest city of Rajasthan, and 509 km away from Jaipur, the state capital. It is also one of the major pilgrimage sites of India for both Hindu as well as Jain religions. Besides the temples and sites of historical importance, Mt. Abu is also rich in natural scenic beauties. Mt. Abu was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom. It was later leased to the British by the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarters of the resident to Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan). During the British rule in India, it was the favourite summer destination of the British who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains. Mt. Abu was also the home of many saints and sages in ancient times. Legend has it that all the three hundred and thirty million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. This place is held in reverence by Jains since Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara (spiritual leader), visited Mt. Abu and blessed the city.

Sightseeing:  Mt. Abu is the highest point between the Nilgiris in the south and the Himalayas in the north. The location and weather of Mount Abu has given this charming little hill station a wide variety of vegetation. On the drive up to Mount Abu, the flowering trees and shrubs make it seem like a huge garden. A meandering stream nearby and tall pine trees make for excellent natural scenery and gives the place an almost ethereal aura. Besides being a popular hill station, this cool and cosy city is also famous for its temples. The first to come to mind are the Dilwara Temples, which are the finest examples of Jain art and architecture. The plain marbles of the exteriors do not prepare the visitor for the richly embellished interiors. Episodes from different Jain legends are intricately carved in marble and so lifelike and delicate are the sculptures that it is difficult to believe they are indeed carved out of stone. Mount Abu is indeed the pivot of the Jain world.

Excursions: Mt. Abu offers some good day-treks to nearby places. Achalgarh (11 km) offers superb views of the surroundings. The famous Achaleshwar temple here is believed to have Shiva’s toeprint. Guru Shikhar (15 km), set at an altitude of 1,720 metres, is the region’s highest peak and offers good views especially at dawn.