Guru Shikhar Mount Abu is the highest peak of the entire Aravali Range and is located a little more than 15 km away from the city’s outskirts. Perched atop a height of 1722 mts above sea level, Guru Shikhar is a must visit. The views one can have from the top is something to write home about. Having the entire city spread out below your feet makes you feel like you are on top of the world. The lush greenery all around will make you fall even deeper in love with the city.
It is ideal to visit Guru Shikhar in the early morning or late afternoon for panoramic views. Although some honeymooners frequent the Sunset Point in Mount Abu. There are some 300 steps at Guru Shikhar to reach the top of the mountain where a temple and a large bell is located.
There is also a temple at Guru Shikhar Mount Abu, which is a popular pilgrimage spot for Hindus. The Temple of Guru Dattatreya is dedicated to an incarnation of the Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Devotees flock to the temple during festivals and special occasions to celebrate and worship the deity.
There are no actual Guru Shikhar Mount Abu timings for visitors, but the best time to visit it would be during early morning for a fantastic sunrise or towards the evening for an equally beautiful sunset. If you are visiting the beautiful city of Mount Abu Tour Packages, then a visit to Guru Shikhar is a must, so make sure to leave a gap of a couple of hours in your itinerary.
Highlights of Guru Shikhar
- A morning hike to Guru Shikhar is an amazing option as one can witness the beautiful sunrise while savoring the delicacies served by the cafes in the area. One can also sip on hot tea while admiring the natural landscapes.
- You must visit the Temple of Dattatreya and get in touch with your spiritual side. A lot of people also visit the place to meditate in the calm ambience of the peak.
- A picnic with the ones held at what feels like the top of the world is a great idea. People usually get their own meals and enjoy their time while being surrounded by scenic views.
- A lot of tourists go trekking to Guru Shikhar and also stay the night at campsites, enjoying a bonfire.
History
The Agnivanshi lineage claims descent from Agni of Yagya at Guru Shikhar, the Hindu god of fire. Four Rajput clans are considered to be Agnivanshi: the Chauhans, Paramara, Solanki, and Pratiharas.
The Arbud Dynasty was ruled by Rajput clad called Parmar, and it is believed that it was originated from Agni Kund at Guru Shikhar. In 1778 AD, Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu emperor of India, climbed along this broad road to consummate his marriage with the daughter of Prahladan, the founder of Prahladanpur, which for the last 2-3 centuries is known as Palanpur. Prahladan was the younger brother of Dharavarsh Pramar, the mighty ruler of Arbud, located at Mount Abu Monuments.
Best time to visit in Guru Shikhar
Tourists visit Mount Abu all through the year as it has its unique offerings for every season. Summers are the best time if one wants to break free from the scorching heat and experience the cold hill station air. The rainy season gets a little dangerous because of the heavy downpour – it’s best to avoid trekking at this time as the pathways get quite slippery.
How to reach Guru Shikhar
To reach Guru Shikhar from the Mount Abu area, one can only rely on going by road as that is the only option. It is about 15 kms away (almost a 30-minute drive from the main city) and one can get there easily via the Delwara Achalgarh Road. There are no buses available which is why one must either hire a cab or go by a personal vehicle.
Reaching Mount Abu-
By Road: Mount Abu is well connected to major cities by highways and the nearest national highway is NH-14, which is just 24 km away.
By Rail: The Abu Road station is the nearest railway station, located just 28 km from the main city. The rail routes are connected to major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. State transport services are always available from the station or one can easily hire cabs too.
By Air: The nearest airport to Mount Abu is the Udaipur Airport. It is located at a distance of 185 kms from the hill station. Ahmedabad airport, on the other hand, is 221 kms away and has better connectivity. Daily flights are available from there to other parts of the country, so it may make more sense to plan your trip from Gujarat rather than Rajasthan.
