Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Apleasant retreat set amidst the lush forested hills, Mt. Abu is a green oasis in the barren desertscape that's Rajasthan. Situated at the southern tip of the Aravali range, the hill retreat owes its cool climate to its rich flora covering the entire hillside that includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. The road leading to Mt. Abu is a curved one that is characrerised by arid region dotted with huge rocks in weird shapes and high velocity winds. 'Abu' according to a legend, stands for the son of Himalaya, deriving its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent who rescued Nandi, the sacred bull of Lord Shiva, from a chasm. Mount Abu has been home to many sages and saints. Most famous of them was Sage Vashishtha who is believed to have created four agni kula Rajput clans from a fire-pit by performing a Lagna' orfire sacrifice, to protect the earth from the demons.

The Yagna was performed besides a natural spring situated below Abu, emerging from a rock shaped like a cow's head and hence the site was called Gaumukh. The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu is more than just a summer retreat. Its stunning array of exquisite Dilwara Jain temples, dating back to the 11th-13th centuries, make it a popular pilgrimage centre.

The Padam Purana relates the story of how Mount Abu came into existance. Once the Nandini, the cow of the venerable sage Vashishtha, was trapped in a deep chasm and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. Saraswati, the divine stream, flooded the pit and the cow floated up. Vashishta then approached the great Himalaya and asked him to fill the deep gorge permanently to avoid further mishaps. The youngest son of Himalaya, with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake, did the needful. The place came to be called Mount Arbud and was later reduced to its present form.