Mount Abu in May 2016: Summer Festival, Attractions and More!

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Distance from Delhi : 706 kilometres

A pilgrim spot, a land of serene lakes and stunning monuments – Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan and a charming one at that. A great place for a memorable holiday any time of the year, this place is especially attractive during the annual Mount Abu Summer Festival which is being held from 20 – 21 May, 2016. Not only is it is an opportune time to visit this beautiful place but it is also a wonderful opportunity to experience first-hand the rich and diverse culture of Rajasthan.

Mount Abu Summer Festival

Organized by Rajasthan Tourism, the three-day summer festival begins with ballad singing and a traditional procession which begins from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar and gathers at the stunning Nakki Lake. The audience is treated to authentic Rajasthani and Gujarati folk dances and music as well as the beautiful and graceful Gair, Ghoomar and Daph dances of Rajasthan.

Day two and three bring with them a host of competitions, cultural performances and entertainment programmes. There are skating and horse races, boat races on the lakes, tug of war as well as matka races. Evenings are filled with dance and music, including Sham-e-Qawalli, an eagerly anticipated event which sees the presence of several well-known qawalli singers. On the last day of the festival, a spectacular display of fireworks marks the end of the celebrations.

Sightseeing in Mount Abu

Mount Abu in Rajasthan will regale you not just with natural beauty but also its many man-made wonders:

Temples: Primary among them are the Dilwara Jain temples – awe-inspiring structures made in white marble between the 11^th and 13^th centuries. There are also beautiful Hindu temples worth visiting such as the Vimala Vashi Temple, Luna Vashi Temple and the Adhar Devi Temple which is carved out of a single, solid rock.

Forts: Rajasthan is well-known for its mighty forts and palaces and Mount Abu has its fair share of them. Visit the Achalgarh Fort constructed by Rana Kumbha of Mewar; and if history interests you, visit the Archaeological Museum too.

Nakki Lake: According to the legend, this lake was dug out by God using nails or nakki. Considered holy by the locals, The Nakki Lake is also great for a relaxing evening walk.

Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary: Those seeking adventure can head to the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit here is from February to June, and you can spot animals such as Small Indian Civet, Sambhar, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Pangolin, and Mongoose.

How To Get There

By Train: Trains are available from most cities to the Mount Abu Railway Station, from where you can hire a taxi to take you to the main city. You can take Adi Sj Rajdhani from New Delhi to Abu Rd then take a taxi from Abu Rd to Mt Abu.

By Air: The closest airport is in Udaipur which is about 180 km from Mount Abu. Private cabs, taxis and buses ply the route and connectivity is not a problem.

By Bus: Mount Abu has a good road network and is well connected to all major cities within Rajasthan as well as to New Delhi. You can also book bus tickets to Mount Abu from Udaipur.