1. Dilwara Temples
The Dilwara Temples are located about 2½ kilometres from the central market area of Mount Abu. These Jain temples were built by Vimal Shah and designed by Vastupal-Tejpal, Jain laymen. The world famous temples are almost 1000 year old.
These temples are famous for their use of marble and intricate marble carvings. The five marble temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place of the Jains.
The simplicity in the architecture of these temples reflect the Jain values like honesty and frugality.
An important point to note here is that these temples are open from 6 am to 6 pm for the Jains and 12 to 6 pm for the non-Jains. So, plan your travel accordingly.
Nakki Lake is a very ancient sacred lake, and finds the mentions in various Hindu legends. It is called by this name because it was dug out from Nails (Nakh).
As a story goes, it was dug in one night by a sculpture of Dilwara Jain temple, named Rakshiya Balam. The king had told that whoever would dig the lake within one night will marry his daughter. But later king's wife refused and he couldn't marry the king's daughter (even a king can do nothing in front of his wife).
Temple of Rakshiya Balam and Kunwari Kanya (king's daughter's) is located behind the Dilwara Jain temple.
Nakki lake is located at the heart of the city and all other visiting points are within a radius of 3 km from here.
3. Toad Rock
Toad rock is a large rock in the shape of a Toad (a variety of frog). It is situated at a distance of 1 km from the Nakki lake and can be seen from the Nakki lake.
I recommend you to visit here at the time of sunset. The sight of sunlight slowly fading away and artificial light coming up is wonderful.
4. Trevors Tank
It is a man-made reservoir in a secluded jungle and is famous for its crocodiles.
5. Arbuda Devi Temple
The Adhar Devi or Arbuda Devi Temple is situated in a cave. It is located at a distance of three kilometers north of the main town of Mount Abu. The Adhar Devi Temple is reached by climbing up 365 stairs carved into the mountain.
The Adhar Devi Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It got its name because the legend has it that "Adhar" of the Mataji (Goddess deity) fell here. It is also believed that the image of the goddess could be found there hanging in mid air.
6. Sunset point
It is situated at a distance of 2 kms from the Nakki lake but in an opposite direction to that of the Toad rock. One can see the sun setting from this point.
7. Gaumukh temple
The Gaumukh Temple was built as a dedication to Saint Vashishth. It is believed that Saint Vashishth created the four major Rajput clans by performing a yagna here.
There is also a tank - the Agni Kund. The Agni Kund is believed to be the site of a sacrificial fire which Saint Vashishth used for the yagna.
There is a spring near to the temple that is believed to have emerged from the mouth of a rock. It is shaped similar to a cows head. A large marble statue of a cow has been built on the site.
The bull is representative of Nandi, who was Shiva’s vehicle. There is a stream of water that flows from the mouth of the marble bull. Nearby you will find statues of Nandi, Saint Vashishth, Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
8. Guru Shikhar
Guru Shikhar is the highest point peak in the Aravalli Range. Its height is 1,722 metres (5,650 ft). It is 15 km from Mount Abu and a motor-able road from there leads almost to the top of the mountain.
Guru-Shikhar translates to the 'the peak of the guru' in Hindi. It is named after Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and a cave at the summit contains a temple dedicated to him. There is also another temple which is dedicated to his mother, Anasuya, wife of sage Atri.
Don't miss the sunrise on your way to Guru Shikhar. It is amazing and you won't witness that view anywhere.
9. Achalgarh Fort
Achalgarh fort is situated about 11 kilometres north of Mount Abu. One should visit it while coming down from the Guru Shikhar.
The fort was originally built by the Paramara dynasty rulers and later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE. It is one of the 32 forts built during his reign.
Sadly, the fort is in ruins now.
Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is just outside the fort. The toe of Lord Shiva is worshipped here and a brass Nandi is also located here. Near the temple there are three stone buffaloes standing around a pond. There are Jain temples in the fort. These were built in 1513.
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