Mount Abu

Rajasthan's only hill station, in the Aravallis, with exquisite marble carving at the Dilwara Jain Temples and sunsets by Nakki Lake.

Mount Abu lies at the southwestern tip of Rajasthan, India, in the southern Aravalli Range. It is Rajasthan's only hill station, at about 1,200 m, close to the Gujarat border, and is often packed on weekends with visitors from Ahmedabad. There are three main draws: first, the Dilwara Jain Temples, whose 11th–13th-century white marble carving is among the finest in India; second, the hill-town scenery around Nakki Lake, with boating, lakeside markets, the climb to Toad Rock, and sunsets at Sunset Point or Honeymoon Point; third, Guru Shikhar (the highest peak in the Aravallis), Achalgarh Fort and its Shiva temple, and Shanti Park to the northeast, usually visited by hired car on a half- or full-day trip. Climate-wise, Mar–Jun is the season to escape the heat of the plains; Nov–Feb is cool and pleasant but chilly at night; Jul–Sep brings monsoon mist and lush greenery, though some trails get slippery. Getting there: the nearest railway station is Abu Road, about 27 km below, from where a bus or taxi takes about 45 minutes up the hill; the nearest airport is in Udaipur (about 165 km). Vehicles pay a small entry fee to drive up. Plan on 1–2 days: day one for the lake area and sunset, day two for the Dilwara Temples and Guru Shikhar. Note: the Dilwara Temples open to non-Jain visitors only from midday, and photography is banned; hotels fill up on holidays and around Diwali, so book ahead.

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