Mount Abu Sanctuary
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The Mount Abu Sanctuary is located in the hill station of Mount Abu, the highest point on the Aravalli hill range. This is the only hill station in Rajasthan; a place people escape to so they can avoid the harsh desert summers of the plains below. Once, Mount Abu was the summer residence of kings and princes. After princely estates were taken over by the government of a newly independent India, the sanctuary was established. The nearest railhead is Udaipur, located 200 kilometers away. The sanctuary was established here in 1960, and since then has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area.

Geography :

Since the sanctuary is located high up on the hills, it has a rocky, uneven terrain. The lower regions of the sanctuary are narrow, while the higher reaches open out into a broad valley. Because the Aravallis are such an old hill range, they have undergone erosion for thousands of years. The result is that the area is dotted with depressions and hollowed out rocks.

Plants :

The Mount Abu Sanctuary has over 1,000 plant species. One of the most unusual species to be found here happens to be orchids. Remember that Rajasthan has a desert-type climate, and then you will realize how unusual it is to have orchids here! Other plants here are the jasmine and rose. The evergreen plants here include the bamboo. The sanctuary also has many evergreen trees and bryophytes. The sanctuary is a favorite haunt of those practicing traditional medicine, because of the plethora of medicinal herbs found here.

Animals :

One of the most majestic animals here is the panther, the silent and swift predator. Old records show that the region once had lions and tigers as well, but they were hunted to extinction by the ill advised nobility and British officials of rank in the last decades of the nineteenth century. The sloth bear has its home here currently, as does the jungle cat, Indian civet, jackal, wild boar, porcupine, jackal, hare, and hedgehog.

Attractions :

Mount Abu has many temples; the famed Jain temples of Mount Abu are known for their exquisite stone carvings. Another attraction is the Summer Festival, a three day extravaganza of local dance, music, and craft bazaar.

Best Season :

Because Mount Abu is located at an elevation, its climate remains more or less same throughout the year – a stark contrast to rest of Rajasthan. Therefore, you can visit the sanctuary any time of the year.