Mount Abu is a pleasant exception on the face of the Rajasthan deserts. Situated at the southernmost point of the Aravalli Range, Mount Abu is a picturesque little hill station. Verdant with a lush green forest teeming with wild life, mount Abu is a stark contrast to the deserts of Rajasthan. The altitude of the plateau (1220m) and the rich cover of flora lend it the pleasant climate. The road to Mount Abu is an uphill drive that looks over an arid landscape. The entire road is dotted with huge pieces of stones which have been curved into weird shapes by the high velocity winds of the desert. According to a local legend, 'Abu' stands for the son of the Himalayas and derives its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent who saved 'Nandi, the bull of lord Shiva. Before it became a Jain pilgrimage center, Mount Abu had been a retreat of many great Hindu sages and seers, the most important being Rishi Vashistha. Both Jain and Hindus have their own places of worship situated at Mount Abu. The greatest of the Jain architectural splendors, the Dilwara Jain temples are located here. Besides that, there are many important Hindu temples as well. These include the Gaumukh Temple, The Raghunathji Temple and the Adhar Devi Temple. The Adhar Devi temple is a sacred place of pilgrimage among the Hindus. The temple is situated about 3 kilometers north of the main town of Mount Abu. The temple is a brilliant piece of architecture in itself. It is curved out of a single piece of huge rock. The temple, situated on a hill can be reached by a flight of about 360 steps. The stairs leads visitors to the single piece of rock where the temple is situated. The Adhar Devi temple has a peculiar structure. Being built on a rock cleave, visitors have to crouch under the rock to enter the temple. The Adhar Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is another tribute to the 'Stri Shakti' or power of women.

How to reach Adhar Devi Temple:

By Air - The nearest airport is Maharana Pratap airport, Udaipur. Daily flights from Jaipur and Delhi land at this airport. By Train - The nearest railway station is Abu Road. Situated at a distance of about 22 Kilometers from Mount Abu, trains regularly arrive here from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur and Jodhpur. By Road - Rajasthan Roadways run regular buses from Jaipur and Abu road to Mount Abu. It is also well connected with Delhi, Bundi, Ajmer and Udaipur. Local Transport - Unmetered taxis are available for traveling within the city of Mount Abu.