Mount Abu: An ancient rocky plateau serving as an oasis in the Rajasthan desert

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Rising 1,220 meters above the arid plains, Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station. This 22-kilometer-long plateau is a sanctuary of evergreen forests, lakes, and centuries-old marble temples. Once known as Arbuda, the mountain has served as a spiritual retreat and ecological refuge for millennia, bridging ancient legends and modern conservation.

Mount Abu, or Arbuda, is steeped in mythology. Legend suggests the sage Vashistha performed a yajna at its peak to defend righteousness, birthing the first Agnivansha from a fire-altar. Another story credits a serpent named Arbuda with saving Lord Shiva’s bull, Nandi, lending the mountain its ancient name. By the 11th century, the site became a center for Jain architecture, most notably the Dilwara Temples. Designed by Vastupala and built by Vimal Shah, these five marble structures are celebrated for their intricate carvings and commitment to Jain values of frugality and honesty.

The mountain’s history is equally layered. It was conquered by Rao Lumba in 1311 CE, eventually becoming a British headquarters after being leased from the Maharaja of Sirohi. Today, it remains a spiritual hub, hosting the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris, a community that draws millions of visitors annually to its 50-acre campus. The town itself, with a 2011 population of 22,943, maintains a distinct climate, receiving over 1,500 millimeters of annual precipitation—far more than the surrounding desert regions.

Ecologically, the mountain is a vital biodiversity hotspot. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1960, spans 290 square kilometers and supports diverse habitats ranging from subtropical thorn forests to evergreen valleys. It is a critical site for the threatened Green Avadavat, or Green Munia. Recent conservation efforts, such as the 'Abu Model,' have attempted to link the protection of this species with local tourism and community livelihoods, though researchers note that urban sprawl and land-use changes continue to pressure the sanctuary's fragile ecosystems.

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