Mount Abu
An oasis in the desert, Mount Abu is the only hill-station in Rajasthan. Situated very close to the Rajasthan-Gujarat border on the highest peak in the Aravali ranges, Mount Abu is one of the important pilgrimage sites for both Hindus and Jains.
Home to many saints and sages in ancient times, Mount Abu is also believed to have been visited by Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara and hence held in reverence by Jains.
Known for its 11th century Dilwara Jain temples, Mount Abu also has a no. of Hindu temples, historical monuments and archaeological remains which speak about the royal heritage and culture of the historical Mount Abu.
Mount Abu was earlier ruled by the Rajputs who were taken by its natural beauty and pleasant weather and set it up as their summer resort. Later, it was given on lease to the British who established their headquarters here and developed Mount Abu as a summer retreat to escape the dry and dusty heat of the plains.
A beautiful combination of lakes, evergreen forests, shallow rivers and gurgling waterfalls, Mount Abu offers fascinating treks, delightful walks, a no. of picnic spots and alluring romantic retreats.
Legend of Mount Abu
As the legend goes, ‘Arbuda’, the mythological serpent rescued Sage Vashishtha’s wish-fulfilling divine cow Kamdhenu when it fell in a deep gorge here. The place was thus named after him as ‘Arbuda’ and later re-christened by the British as Mount Abu.
As per another legend, it was here that Sage Vashishtha had performed a huge yagna and created the four ‘agnikuls’ – the Rajput fire-born dynasties to save the world from the wrath and menace of the demons. The rest of the clans are said to have descended from sun and moon.
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