Around Mount Abu

Achalgarh (11km):
Traveling to the north of Mt Abu, you will reach the holy town of Achalgarh. This place is famous for the 9th century Achleshwar Mahadeva Temple, where lord Shiva and his vaahan Nandi bull, are worshiped. It contains the sacred Shivlingam, a sign of the Lord's toe and a statue of Nandi made of panchdhatu or five metals which are gold, silver, copper, zinc and brass. There is also a deep passage, which is believed to connect the temple with the netherworld.

The area surrounding the temple premises is supremely divine. You can have a view of lake Mandakini and several hills surrounding the area. The rocky walls have images of buffaloes and a king targeting them with a bow and an arrow. Legend has it that demons, disguised as buffaloes, visited the place to contaminate the lake that was filled with ghee. But they were shot at by Raja Adi Pal. A 10 km climb from the temple will take you to the Jain temples situated on the hilltop, and offering splendid views of the valley.

Guru Shikhar (15 km):
Guru Shikhar boasts of being the highest point of Rajasthan. It is located at the edge of the plateau, at an altitude of 1721 m and commands an unparalleled view of Mt Abu and its surrounding areas. The place is named after Guru Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose footprints are preserved here in a temple. Other temples located here include the temple of sage Atri Rishi and the temple of Dattatreya's mother.

Mt Abu Wildlife Sanctuary (5.5 km):
From Diwara Temples, a 1 km walk will lead you to the Mt Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. It is among the oldest areas of Mt Abu. People come here to have a view of wildlife amidst nature's scenic setting. You will adore the floral diversity and bamboo rich areas of the sanctuary. These subtropical evergreen forests are home to a around 250 species of birds and amny species of animals including Wild Boars, Sloth Bears, Leopards, Sambars, Langurs and Chinkaras.

Gaumukh Temple (8 km):
Among the popular excursions of Mt Abu is Gaumukh Temple, which is named after a marble cow situated here, through which a stream of water flows. This temple is devoted to Saint Vashishth, who is believed to have created the four Rajput clans from the yagna Agni Kund. In those days, a sculpture of cow used to be placed at the place of yagna to give it a sacred element. Sculptures of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Saint Vashishtha are also situated near the shrine.