Dilwara rules
Phones, cameras and leather items are not allowed inside the Dilwara temples, and modest dress is expected.
Rajasthan
Mount Abu, Rajasthan's hill station
Mount Abu sits on a plateau in the Aravalli hills at about 1,200 metres, cooler and greener than the plains below. It is Rajasthan's only hill station and home to the Dilwara Jain temples, carved in white marble between the 11th and 13th centuries.
- Best: Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov
- 2 nights; 1 if you are stopping between Udaipur and Ahmedabad.
Mount Abu is a holiday town first: families stroll around Nakki Lake, take a boat out and gather at Sunset Point in the evening. Summer brings visitors escaping the heat of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and Diwali and the Christmas and New Year weeks are usually busy too.
It is also a place of pilgrimage. Jain pilgrims come to Dilwara, Hindu devotees climb to the Dattatreya shrine on Guru Shikhar and visit the Achaleshwar Mahadev temple at Achalgarh, and the Brahma Kumaris spiritual movement has its headquarters here.
What to see
Sights in Mount Abu
- 1
Dilwara Temples
Five Jain temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries, with ceilings, pillars and doorways carved from white marble in remarkable detail. Photography is not allowed inside, and visiting hours for tourists are limited, so check timings.
- 2
Nakki Lake
The lake at the centre of town has boating, a lakeside walk and hills all around. Toad Rock, a boulder shaped like a crouching toad, looks down on it from a short climb.
- 3
Sunset Point
A short drive from Nakki Lake, this viewpoint fills each evening with people watching the sun drop over the plains. Arrive a little early in season to find a spot.
- 4
Guru Shikhar
At 1,722 metres, Guru Shikhar is the highest point of the Aravalli range, about 15 km from town. A road runs almost to the top, then steps lead to a small Dattatreya temple and wide views.
- 5
Achalgarh
About 11 km from town, the ruins of an old hill fort rise above the Achaleshwar Mahadev temple, where Shiva is worshipped through an impression of his toe rather than a linga.
Things to do
Experiences in Mount Abu
An evening at Nakki Lake
Take a boat out in the late afternoon, walk the lakeside, and try hot snacks from the stalls around the lake as the air cools.
A temple morning
Dilwara, Achalgarh and Guru Shikhar lie in the same direction from town, so they fit into one long morning or afternoon. Plan the loop around Dilwara's visiting hours.
Walks with a local guide
Short trails lead to viewpoints around the town, and longer walks go into the wildlife sanctuary that covers the hills. Go with a local guide, as leopards and sloth bears live in the forest.
When to go
- January: good, with caveats
- February: best time
- March: best time
- April: good, with caveats
- May: good, with caveats
- June: good, with caveats
- July: good, with caveats
- August: good, with caveats
- September: good, with caveats
- October: best time
- November: best time
- December: good, with caveats
Mount Abu works for most of the year. February, March, October and November are the most comfortable; summer days stay milder than on the plains, the monsoon brings heavy rain and mist, and December and January nights can fall to freezing.
Getting there
- By air: The nearest airport is Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), about 3.5–4 hours away by road; Ahmedabad's airport (AMD) is about 4–5 hours away.
- By rail: Abu Road station, about 28 km below the town on the Delhi–Ahmedabad line, has direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer and Ahmedabad.
- By road: About 165 km from Udaipur (3–4 hours by road), 225 km from Ahmedabad (4–5 hours) and 270 km from Jodhpur (about 5 hours), with the last 28 km a winding hill road up from Abu Road.
Local knowledge
Tips for Mount Abu
Pack a warm layer
Evenings in Mount Abu are cooler than on the plains all year, and from December to February nights can fall to freezing. Bring a sweater or jacket whatever the month.
Avoid the busiest weeks
Mount Abu is usually busiest in the May–June summer holidays, around Diwali and over Christmas and New Year, when hotels fill and the lake road gets crowded. Weekdays outside these weeks are quieter.
Questions
Mount Abu: FAQs
Is Mount Abu the only hill station in Rajasthan?
Yes. Mount Abu, at about 1,200 metres in the Aravalli hills near the Gujarat border, is Rajasthan's only hill station.
Can you take photographs inside the Dilwara temples?
No. Photography is not allowed inside the Dilwara Jain temples at Mount Abu, and phones, cameras and leather items are left outside. Visiting hours for tourists are limited, so check current timings before you go.
How far is Mount Abu from Udaipur?
Mount Abu is about 165 km from Udaipur, around 3–4 hours by road, which makes it an easy addition to an Udaipur trip.
Is Mount Abu good to visit in summer?
Yes. Mount Abu stays noticeably cooler than the plains from April to June, which is why it is busy with families in the summer holidays; book May and June stays early.
How many days do you need in Mount Abu?
Two nights in Mount Abu cover the Dilwara temples, Nakki Lake, Sunset Point, Guru Shikhar and Achalgarh at an easy pace. One night is enough if you are stopping between Udaipur and Ahmedabad.
Combine it with
Nearby destinations
Rajasthan
Udaipur
The City of Lakes
Mewar's old capital: palaces on Lake Pichola, hills all around, and Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur and Chittorgarh within a day's drive.
Best: Nov–Feb
Gujarat
Ahmedabad
India's first World Heritage City
Gujarat's largest city: a walled old town of pols, mosques and temples, Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram, and stepwells within a day's drive.
Best: Nov–Feb
Rajasthan
Jodhpur
The Blue City
Mehrangarh Fort above a blue-washed old city, and the gateway to Jaisalmer and the Thar Desert.
Best: Nov–Feb
Let's plan your days in Mount Abu.
Share your dates, who's travelling and what you'd love to see. We'll reply with a day-by-day plan and an itemised quote — no obligation.