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» MOUNT ABU LOCATION
.jpg) [Water Fall View In Mount Abu]
The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain Temples, dating back 11th- 13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre..
There are various interesting treks and picnic spots close to Mount Abu.
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» DISTANCE FROM MAJOR CITIES TO MOUNT ABU |
- Delhi - 767 km.
- Mumbai - 766 km.
- Agra - 737 km.
- Ahmedabad - 221 km.
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» MOUNT ABU WEATHER
- Temperature in summer : 33.8º C (Max) - 23.3º C (Min)
- Temperature in winter : 20.3º C (Max) - 0º C (Min)
- Rainy Season : from July to Mid of September, and very humid (Upton 90%)
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» MOUNT ABU POPULATION
30,045 (persons) |
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» CLOTHING IN MOUNT ABU
Light tropical (cotton) in summer and light woollen in winter |
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» LANGUAGE IN MOUNT ABU
Rajasthani, Hindi and English |
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» MOUNT ABU DEMOGRAPHICS
In Mount Abu, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
- Males constitute 58% of the population and females 42%.
- Literacy rate of 67%.
- Male literacy of 77% and female literacy of 55%.
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» MOUNT ABU HISTORY
.jpg) [Mount Abu Temple, Rajasthan]
During the British rule in India, it was the favorite summer destination of the British, who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains particularly Rajasthan. It also served as a sanatorium for the troops. The small huts and cottages here tell stories of those times even today.
Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, which emerged from a rock shaped like a cow's head.
According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form - Mount Abu.
This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city.
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» FESTIVALS & FAIRS IN MOUNT ABU
- The Summer Festival is held every year in the month of Aashadh (June). The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and the pleasant climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location for the festival.
The three-day festival is a feast of folk and classical music and a window to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan The festival begins with the singing of a ballad, which is followed by Gair, Ghoomar and Daph folk dances, which enthrall the spectators.
Sporting events such as the boat race on the Nakki Lake add variety to the festival. The Sham-e-Qawwali is a much-awaited musical extravaganza, as renowned qawwals regale the audience. The grand finale of the festival is a display of dazzling fireworks, which adds to the tourist's delight.
- Winter Festival of Mount Abu is another important festival of Rajasthan and celebrated in last week of December. This three days colorful festival is organised by the Rajasthan Tourism and Municipal Board, Mt. Abu. This festival is celebrated by the people of Mount Abu with lots of kindness and happiness as they welcome all the tourists in a very heartfelt manner.
During the festival a number of cultural and fun-filled events are organized. In fact, the festival provides a good opportunity to witness Rajasthan’s rich tribal life and culture. Gair, Ghoomar and Daph are some of the famous folk dance forms presented by the artists. During the three day festival, the evening is made brighter by a display of dazzling fire works.
Major attractions of the festival are colorful processions and Deepdaan, in which a large number of candles are made to float on the Nakki Lake.
- A festival for young maids and married women, dedicated to Gauri, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Women pray for the prosperity and long live of their husbands, while girls seek good husbands from the goddess. A colorful procession are taken out with pomp and gaiety. Gangaur hold a special place for the Garasia tribal, inhabitants of the Sirohi- Mt. Abu region. They celebrate this festival over one month. The unusual and interesting feature of their celebration is the procession of the Gangaur image from village to village. The tribal youth get an opportunity to meet and mingle freely, select a life partner of their choice and marry by eloping. A romantic but strange custom, sanctioned by the society.
- Celebrated at Shri Raghunathji Temple.
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» PLACES TO BE VISITED IN MOUNT ABU
 [Dilwara Jain Temples]
The marble work inside is exquisite, for the hardness of the stone allowed for very detailed and intricate workmanship. It is said that the sculptors did not merely chisel out the marble statues from blocks of stone but spent hours rubbing the sculptures down to create a satin smoothness and a cream-like softness in stone. Each housing a beautiful statue of thirthankaras with 48 elegantly carved pillars form the entrance to the courtyard.
- The second major attraction is Nakki Lake. Nakki Lake is peaceful, beautiful and popular picnic spot. The lake is picturesquely set amidst hills and is believed to have been carved out by the Gods with their nails. It is popular spot for boating and the only artificial lake in India that is 1200 mts. above sea level. The surrounding hills have several area of interest.
 [Nakki Lake In Mount Abu]
- Dedicated to Rama, this small temple (the cow mouth) is centred on a spring gushing from the mouth of a marble cow. In the Hindu creation myth, the world is formed by a cow, licking salt; the source of the Ganges has the same name. This is said to be the site of the ancient 'agnikund' fire rituals. It is 4 kms south of Mount Abu. Open, free access, down 700 very steep steps.
- The highest peak on the mount (1722 mts above the sea level) allows a bird eye view of the sylvan surroundings of Mount Abu.A small shrine and a temple of Dattatreya standing on the shikhar are worth a visit.
- An impressive fort with some beautiful Jain temples enclosed within. Among the noteworthy temples are Achaleswar Mahadev temple (1412 AD) and Kantinath Jain temple (1513 AD). The latter has a gold plated image. The fort was built in the 14th century AD by Rana Kumbha and is approachable by a motorable road.
- Trevor`s tank named after the British engineer, is a heaven for the bird watchers, situated amidst the densely wooded hills of the Aravali Ranges. A rich variety of Beautiful birds can be observed. The most important are being the pheasants, peacocks and partridges.
- The Adhar Devi temple, about 3km north of town, is chiseled out of a huge rock reached by a flight of 365 steps. You have to stoop to get through the low entrance of the temple. It is a favorite tourist spot.
- Between the Himalayas and the Nilgiri mountain ranges, the highest place (about 1700 MSL) is Mt. Abu is not only a sanctuary but also a fascinating hill station of Rajasthan. It is a living example of an inextricable mix of religion and tourism. The sanctuary spread over 288 kms is dominated by subtropical evergreen forests known for its cool refreshing air, fully charged with the jasmine.
The kacchar, Kaionda, mango, champa, roses, khajur, phaludra and jasmine blossoming on the granite rocks during March & April are a breathe taking sight. This sanctuary is so filled with the activities of birds that it is a sort of pilgrimage for bird lovers.
It is unique in the sense that more than 250 species of birds are found here, but the speciality of the Abu sanctuary is the grey jungle fowl. The leopard sloth bear, wild boar, sambar, chinkara and langur are the other inhabitants here.
- Beautifully laid parks and gardens are interspersed throughout the hilly paradise. Ashok Vatika,Gandhi park, Municipal Park,Shaitan Singh Park and Terrace Garden are some of the noteworthy gardens.
- Also known as Andra Point, it offers an enchanting view of the verdant plains and valleys. The place looks most beautiful during the dusk hours.
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» SHOPPING IN MOUNT ABU
Nakki Maal (Nakki Lake Market) is famous area for shopping , tourist can purchase all famous arts and crafts of rajasthan from here like - Jewellery, fabrics, wooden articles, gem stones, metal crafts, leather ware etc. |
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» OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
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» ACCOMMODATION IN MOUNT ABU
Accommodation options are easily available in Mount Abu. There are several luxury, deluxe and budget hotels that cater to the needs of the tourists to Mount Abu. |
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