Mount
Abu is known for its scenic beauty and is the lone hill station in the
Desert state of Rajasthan. The city of Mount Abu is a pilgrim for people
of many sects as several temples are found here. The world famous
Dilwara Jain temples are situated in this city and are the crowning
glory of this hill station. Many hermits and sages have also spent their
time in this pristine city; one such saint was Guru Vashisht who
performed a yagya here and at that place now stands the Gaumukh temple.
This town is also famous for the bounty of nature and has a rich flora
and fauna which make it a paradise for nature lovers. The city of Mount Abu has many legends attached to it and it is mentioned innumerably in both Hindu and Jain religious texts. It is believed that the 24th Jain tirthankara Lord Mahavira paid a visit to Mount Abu. According to Hindu mythology the 330 million Hindu gods and goddesses visited the city of Mount Abu. The city derives its name from the mythological figure Arbud who was a mighty snake and helped Rishi Vashisht to fill up the gorge with water to prevent any mishap. Mount Abu also houses the world famous Ashram of Brahmkumaris a spiritual and religious sect.
Mount Abu served as the summer capital of most of the Rajput royalty. This picturesque hill station even charmed the British with its natural beauty. Mount Abu houses the highest peak of Aravali's the Gurushikhara and can also boast of several water bodies and lush green jungles. The forests of Mount Abu are famous for a wide variety of orchids, several wild roses and medicinal herbs and medicines. Before the human population increased in Mount Abu lions were also found here till 19th century and tigers till 1970s. The historic and religious hill station of Mount Abu has a mysterious aura to it which compels a traveler to unravel its mystery over and again.