Info : Places To Visit

The town is most famous for the stunning Dilwara Jain temples, built between the 11th and 13th century. These intricately carved marble temples are amazing to behold-not an inch of space has been left uncarved; almost, as if, in a frenzy of inspiration, the artists carved and carved till they could carve no more! Mount Abu also has a pretty lake studded with little islets..

The Jain temple

Of the five temples - Vimal Vasahi, Lun Vasahi, Shri Risha Lhdeo, Shri Parshvanath and Shri Mahavir Swami, the first two are the most famous. One estimate states that a sum of Rs. 1.2 billion was spent on Lun Vasahi itself. Two brothers - Vastupal and Tejpal, ministers in the court of Raja Varadnawarkar, a ruler of Gujarat, built this temple. They belonged to Neminath Bhagwan, the 22nd Tirthankara.

Outside the main doors of this temple, there are two statues called Devrani's and Jethani's goklas respectively, and are backed by stories of competitive jealousy of the two wives of these brothers. Another striking feature of the temple is the marble dome in the porch, which is made up of a cluster of half open lotuses, which appear to be almost transparent.

The Vimal Vasahi temple is older and is also known to be the first Jain temple and is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara. Built in 1031, by Bhim Deva, the first Solanki ruler of Gujarat, the temple is constructed in pure marble, with plain exteriors. However, its interiors are richly sculpted and house some fine examples of the accomplishment of artist in those times.

Residents of the area will tell you that a visit to Abu cannot be complete without obtaining the blessings of Arbuda Devi, the goddess after whom Abu is said to have been named. Arbuda Devi is stationed some 200 steps above the road, in a series of caves on top of a mountain. Along with Arbuda Devi are the statues of her three attendants.

Nakki Lake

In the heart of the town, at one end of the Mall is Nakki Lake, which has an interesting history. It is said that it was drawn by the fingernails (nakk) of a sage, Balam Rasia, in response to the demands of the stepmother of the girl he wished to marry. The girl, a princess, and a daughter of the then King of Abu, was also in love with the sage, but because of the evil stepmother the affair ended in tragedy, and has been immortalized in a temple of the Kunwari Kanya, alongside which stands a statue of her lover.

The lake too, has survived to tell the tale. Picturesquely set, with the hills rising all around it, the lake has several islets to which you can hire boats. An interesting facet is the many rock formations around the lake. They have been named Toad Rock, Nun Rock, Nandi Rock and Camel Rock because of their resemblance to these figures. The road appears to be looking broodingly down towards the lake, as if contemplating jumping in. Nun Rock is a large smooth rock, as it supposedly looks a woman with a veil. The climb up to these rocks, through the wooded forests is a beautiful one, with each of the rocks on the way making unique formations, fissures and shapes.

There are rumors that you might run into a bear on your way up, but the climb is well worth the risk! And one can take courage from the fact that none of the travelers in the last few years have encountered the animal.

Adhar Devi Temple

The Adhar Devi temple is situated at a distance of 3 km to the north of the city. The temple is built on a rock cleave and one has to crouch under the rock to enter the temple. There are 365 steps that take one to the rock on which the temple is built. This temple dedicated to Goddess Durga is regarded as one of the important pilgrimage sites of Mount Abu. This is also a good site to get a panoramic view of the valley.

Gaumukh Temple

Gaumukh Temple is located around 8 km southwest of Mount Abu. It is said that the temple was built on the spot where saint Vashishth performed a yagna to create four major Rajput clans. Next to it is the spring that is said to have emerged from the mouth of a rock shaped like a cow's head. This site now has a marble bull from whose mouth a stream of water flows. Nearby are statues of Nandi, saint Vashishth, Lord Ram, and Lord Krishna.

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is located some 8 km northeast of Mount Abu and spreads over an area of about 290 sq km. The sanctuary is home to a number of wild animals, birds, trees and herbs. Panthers, wild boars, and bears can be seen roaming about in this small but beautiful sanctuary.