Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state in western India. It is located in Sirohi district. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22km long by 9 km wide. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, at 1722 meters above sea level. It is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert', as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests.

Mount Abu - The only hill station in Rajasthan is situated in south-west end of Rajasthan.It has stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain Temples dating back 11th- 13th centuries ,making it a popular pilgrimage centre. Delwara Jain Temples, are sheer elegance in marble, dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. Places to see are Gaumukh Temple( a natural spring flowing through a sculpted cow’s head ), Adhar Devi temples and Nakki lake. Museum at the Raj Bhawan is a collection of archaeological excavations dating back to 8th-12th century A.D. It also has Jain bronze carvings,brass works etc. Sunset point provides a spectacular sight of the setting sun and hills are covered in the golden glow can be viewed from here. Other popular spots include Honeymoon point, which also offers a view of sunset, the Crags and the Shanti Shikhar. Trevor’s Tank, named after the British engineer who constructed it is a delight for bird-watchers with densely wooded hills that are a haven to pigeons, peacocks and partridges. Achalgarh is an impressive fort with some beautiful Jain Temples enclosed within.

In the Puranas, the region has been referred to as Arbudaranya, ("forest of Arbhu") and 'Abu' is a dimunitive of this ancient name. It is believed that sage Vasishtha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu after following his differences with sage Vishvamitra.

Sehastramal, the son of Rao Sobha ji founded the present city SIROHI on weatern slope and liad foundation stone of the Sirohi fort on second day of Vaisakh in the year 1482 (V.S.) i.e. 1425 (A.D.) on the top the present town of Sirohi and made it his Capital which lies on the Western Slope of the Siranwa hills, later all the area under Deoras came to be known as Sirohi. In puranic tradition this area has always been referred to as "Arbudh Pradesh".
It was also sometimes known as Arbudanchal. i.e. Arbud + Anchal.

After Independence an agreement was signed between Central Government and minor ruler of Sirohi State, with this the State Administration of the Sirohi State was taken over by Bombay Government from 5th January 1949 to 25th January 1950. The first administrator representing a bombay state was Prema Bhai Patel. After final merger with Rajasthan in 1950, an area of 787 Sq. Km. consisting of Aburoad and Delwara tehsils of Sirohi district was renamed with the Bombay State on Ist Nov. 1956, after the recommendation of the State organisation Commission, which forms the present position of the district.

Sirohi, is said to have taken its name from Sirohi from Siranwa hill, on the western slope at which it stands. Colonel Tod had suggested the name at the terrirory might have been derived from its position at the head (Sir) of the desert (Rohi).

It has great antiguity, a rich heritage and an exciting history, In puranic tradition, this region has always been referred to as Arbudaranya. It is belived that Rishi Vasistha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu after his sons had been slain by Vishvamitra.

Colonel Tod called the Mount Abu as the "Olympus of the Hindus" since it was the seat at a powerful kingdom in the older days. Abu formed a part of the empire of Chandra Gupta at the Mauraya dynasty, who ruled early in the 4th century B.C. The territory of the Abu passed succcessively the possesion of the khshtrapas, the Imperial Guptas, the Vaisa dynasity of which Emperor Harsha was the ornament, the Chaoras, the Solankis and the parmars. From the Parmars, the Chauhans at Jalor took the kingdom at Abu. Lumba, a scion at the younger branch of the Chauhan rulers at Jalor, Seized Abu from the Parmar king in the year 1311 A.D. and became the first king of the territory now known as the kingdom of Sirohi The famous town of Chandravati situated on the bank at the river Banas, was the capital of the kingdom and Lumba took his residence there and ruled till 1320 A.D.

Rao Shiv Bhan popularly known as Shobha, the Sixth descent from Lumba, finally abandoned Chandravati and founded a town below the 'Siranwa" hill and built a fort on the top in the year 1405 A.D. The newely founded town was called Shivpuri. But the town founded by Rao Shiv Bhan was unhealthy, so, his son Rao Sahasmal abondoned it in 1425 A.D. and built the present town of Sirohi and made it the Capital of the kingdom. During the reign of Rao Sahashmall, the famous Rana Kumbha of Mewar attacked and conquered Abu, Vasanthgarh and area adjoining Pindwara. Rana Kumbha renovated a castle in Vasanthgarh and also a tank and a temple at Kumbhaswami near the shrine of Achaleshwar in the year 1452 A.D. Rao Lakha succeeded Sahashmall and tried to liberate the region at Abu with the help at Qutbuddin, the king at Gujarat who was also unfriendly with Kumbha. But Lakha failed to get his territory back.

The political awakening in Sirohi started in 1905 with the Samp sabha of Govind Guru who worked for the upliftment of the tribals of Siorhi, Palanpur, udaipur and former Idar state.

In 1922 Motilal Tejawat organized Eki Movement to unit tribals at Rohida, who were opressed by a feudal lords. This movement ruthlessly by the State authorities. In 1924-1925 NAV PARAGNA MAHAJAN ASSOCIATION presented an application against unlawful LAGBAG and Tax System of Sirohi State. This was in first time that the merchants formed an association and opposed state. In 1934 SIROHI RAJYA PRAJA MANDAL was founded at Ville Parle, in Bombay under leadership of jounarlist Bhimashankar Sharma Padiv, Virdhi Shankar Trivedi Kojra and Samrathmal Singhi Sirohi. Later on Shri Gokulbhai Bhatt joined Prajamandal in 1938. He along with 7 others founded Praja Mandal at Sirohi on 22nd Jan '1939. After that all activities of freedom movement got guidance from the Indian National Congress and Praja Mandal demanded for responsible Government and Civil liberties, it resulted in the formation of popular ministry under chief ministership of Gokulbahi Bhatt.

With the independance of India in 1947 the process of integration of princely states of India started. The Sirohi state was merged on 16th Nov. 1949 with Rajasthan State. Chronological Order of Kings of Sirohi of Deora Dynasity & their Achievemen`ts There are total 37 kings from Deora Dynasity had ruled Sirohi and the present Ex-King is the 38 descendent of the Deora Dynasity.

Sirohi district is situated at the south-west part of Rajasthan between parallel of 24o 20' and 25o 17' North Latitude and 72o 16' and 73o 10' East Longitude.It has an area of 5139 kms (2009 sq. miles) and is the third smallest district of Rajastan. It is the third smallest district of Rajasthan, after Dungarpur and Banswara.

Sirohi is bounded by district pali in the north-east, district Udaipur in east, Jalore in west and Banaskantha district of Gujarat in the south. The total geographical area of the district is 5139 sq. kms.It covers about 1.52 percent of the total area of Rajasthan.

Naki lake

Nakhi is a very ancient sacred Lake, according to the Hindu legent. It was so called because, it was dug out from Nails (Nakh) of Gods to live in, for protection against the oppressions of Bashkali-a wicked demon. It is an Artificial Lake surrounded by hill of aravali range. The Lake is about a half mile long and quarter of mile broad and 20 to 30 ft. deep towards the dam on the west. The green hills near the lake, date-palms and Gandi Ghat garden enhance its beauty. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi wre immersed in this Holly Lake on 12th Febryary, 1948 and Gandhi Ghat was constructed, with green lawns, colourful flower beds and gushing fountains, in his memory. In the heart of the Lake, a Jet fountain was installed in the year 1972 A.D., from which the coloured water, gushes out very high in the Sky.

Adhar Devi Temple

The temple is chiselled out of a huge rock reached by a night of 360 stairs. A favorite tourist spot.The Adhar Devi temple is situated at a distance of 3 km to the north of the city. The temple is built on a rock cleave and one has to crouch under the rock to enter the temple. There are 365 steps that take one to the rock on which the temple is built. This temple dedicated to Goddess Durga is regarded as one of the important pilgrimage sites of Mount Abu.

Delwara Jain Temple

These beautifully carved temples built between 11th and 13th century A.D. are sheer elegance in marble, dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. The Vimal Vasahi temple is the oldest of these dedicated to the first Tirthankara. Built in 1031 A.D. (by Vimal Shah - a merchant and representative of the then Gujarat ruler), it is a superb, example of temple architecture. The central shrine has an image of Rishabhdev and large courtyard with 52 small shrines, each housing a beautiful statue of thirthankaras with 48 elegantly carved pillars form the entrance to the courtyard. The Lun Vasahi Temple, dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara- Neminath, was built in 1231 A.D. by two brothers - Vastupal and Tejpal, Ministers of Raja Vir Dhawal, a ruler of Gujarat - belonging to the Porwal Jain community.
With door casings, pillars, architraves and sculptures on porticos, the temple is a fine specimen of craftsmanship.

Tod Rock

Abu abounds in grotesquely shaped rocks which often resemble animals and even on occassion human beings. As such protrusion, overhanging the south of Nakki Lake is the famous Toad Rock. Its shape resembles a gaint toad over looking the lake. Naturally, most tourists pose before it.

Anadara Point, Honey Moon Point

On the north-west of the Nakki Lake, near by the old gateway to Abu is Anadara point named after the village Anadara. This place is at the height of 4,000 feet. Here from also the magnificient grandeur of the setting the sun can be witnessed. Near it, is a Lovers - Rock also popularly known as Honey Moon Point, is an attractive point for the visitors for it being in the natural creation in the shape of a man and a women. For the newely - married couples, this is really a place full of very much charm. That's why many visitors do come just to celebrate 'Honey Moon' at Mount Abu.

Mount Abu and Nakki Lake by Air

Udaipur is the nearest airport. Daily flight form Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur are available to Udaipur.

By Rail

Abu Road is the nearest railway station and is about 22 kms from Mount Abu. And well connected with Ahemdabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur.

By Road

Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Jaipur and Abu Road to Mount Abu. It is also connected by road to Delhi, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bundi and Udaipur.

In Mount Abu there is also a mini market for Rajasthan handicrafts. Boating facilities are available at Nakki Lake. There are number of private hotels and it becomes difficult to get accommodation during the peak season.