Rajasthan
Mount Abu
Rajasthan’s only hill station, and its coolest escape
Photo: Getty Museum (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
About Mount Abu
Mount Abu is Rajasthan’s single hill-station, rising to over 1,200m in the Aravalli range and offering the state’s only real relief from the desert heat. It is best known for the Dilwara Jain Temples — a complex of five temples with marble carving so fine it looks closer to lacework than stone — and for Nakki Lake, the social heart of the town.
Most visitors treat Mount Abu as a 2-3 day add-on to an Udaipur-based itinerary, particularly appealing in the peak summer months when the rest of Rajasthan is at its hottest.
- The Dilwara Jain Temples’ astonishingly fine marble carving
- A pedal-boat ride or sunset walk around Nakki Lake
- Sunset Point, the town’s most-visited viewpoint over the Aravalli hills
- Guru Shikhar, Rajasthan’s highest peak, a short drive from town
Top attractions
What to see in Mount Abu
Dilwara Jain Temples
Five marble temples built between the 11th and 13th centuries, famous for ceiling and pillar carving of extraordinary detail.
Nakki Lake
A natural lake at the centre of town, said to have been "dug by nails" by the gods, per local legend.
Guru Shikhar
The highest point in the Aravalli range, with a small temple at the summit.
Things to do
Experiences in Mount Abu
Tour the Dilwara Temples
Photography is not permitted inside, but the carving is worth seeing in person regardless.
Boat on Nakki Lake
A relaxed pedal-boat ride, especially pleasant in the late afternoon.
Watch sunset from Sunset Point
The town’s classic evening gathering spot.
When to go
Best time to visit
March to June for genuine heat relief compared to the rest of Rajasthan; October to February is also pleasant, though considerably cooler at night.
Getting around
Transportation
The nearest railway station is Abu Road, about 28km away, connected to Jaipur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad; it is roughly a 2.5-3 hour drive from Udaipur.
Where to eat
Restaurants in Mount Abu
Gujarati & Rajasthani thalis
Arbuda Restaurant
A local favourite for unlimited thalis, reflecting Mount Abu’s large Gujarati weekend-visitor base.
Eating
Food guide
Mount Abu’s food scene leans Gujarati-influenced thalis, given its popularity with visitors from neighbouring Gujarat.
Practical
Travel tips
Photography is banned inside the Dilwara Temples — leave cameras and phones at the entrance locker. Evenings are noticeably cooler than the rest of Rajasthan even in summer, so pack a light jacket.
Questions
Mount Abu: common questions
No, photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple complex to protect the delicate marble carving and preserve the site’s sanctity.
Yes — it is specifically valuable in April-June, when it offers the only meaningfully cooler escape in a state that gets extremely hot elsewhere.
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Planning a trip to Mount Abu?
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