Mount Abu, Rajasthan Travel Guide

Mount Abu, located in the southwestern corner of Rajasthan, sees people from everywhere escaping to this cool, scenic hill station. It is also a major pilgrim center. The Aravalli mountain range that cuts across Rajasthan reaches its greatest height at Guru Shikhar. Interestingly, not many people are aware that this is also the highest point between the Nilgiris in the south and the Himalayan range up North.

Abu, according to legend, stands for the son of Himalaya. Many sages and seers had their retreats on Mt. Abu, the most famous of them being, sage Vashistha. Mt Abu was dedicated to Lord Shiva, before it became a Jain pilgrim centre. The greatest attraction of Abu are the grand Dilwara temples.

The origin of Mount Abu goes back several centuries. The Padam Puran relates the story of how this holy city came into existence. Once Nandini, the cow belonging to the venerable sage Vashishta, was trapped in a deep chasm and could not free herself. When all efforts failed, the sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. Saraswati, the divine stream, flooded the pit and the cow floated up. Once this cow was free, Vashishtha approached the great Himalaya and asked him to fill the gorge permanently to avoid further mishaps. The youngest son of Himalaya, with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake filled the chasm. The place came to be called Mount Arbud and was later reduced to its present name.

For those keen to learn more about the history of Rajasthan it will be interesting to note that this place was also the site for one of the most sacred Hindu rites-a yagya. This was performed by the same sage Vashishtha for the purification of the ancient fighting caste, the Kshatriyas. From this mystical fire rose the mighty Rajputs who later dominated the history of Rajasthan.

Explore Mount Abu

• Sights & Activities
• Festivals of Mount Abu
• Hotels in Mount Abu
• Places near Mount Abu
• Map of Mount Abu
• How to reach Mount Abu

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