Rajasthan is one of the unique and culturally rich states of India that can make you fall in love with it, in just a glance! The state is known for its mesmerizing tourist attractions which comprise forts, palaces, temples and a long list of events and festivals which are highly intriguing for the locals and tourists alike.
While you must be knowing about its vacation destinations, very few people know about a major annual event that is celebrated in Mount Abu of Rajasthan that goes by the name Winter Festival. It is one of the much-coveted cultural festivals that display the rich heritage, art, culture, and Famous food of Rajasthan.
This 3-day annual festival is organised by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation along with the Municipal Board of Mount Abu. The Winter Festival begins with a long parade that culminates at the Nakki Lake where people light earthen lamps (deep) and set them afloat on the lake. This ritual is known as deepdaan and is an adorable sight to witness and capture in the camera. The festival is graced by cultural performances by local known and budding artists.
Besides the fun and frolic performances and rituals, many exciting games also form a part of the festival. Cricket, tug of war, kite flying, skating, gili danda, and horse race are other major attractions for the visitors. This festival is an amalgamation of fairs, fireworks, food, exhibitions, dance and music performances, and a lot of fun.
Major Attractions of Winter Festival 2023 in Mount Abu
1. 3-Days that Celebrate Culturally Rich Rajasthan. This festival continues for 3 days straight and each day is full of fun and fervour around the magnificent location and energetic ambience of Mount Abu. The motive behind organising the festival is to introduce the rich heritage and art of the state to the kids and tourists in a fun way.
2. Cultural Performances. The festival has become a grand affair now owing to the talented performances put together by the artists who excel in different dance forms and singing classic folk songs. One may enjoy folk dances such as Ghoomar, Gair, and Kalbelia dance along with concerts by renowned folk artists.
3. Savour the Rajasthani Food. The food of Rajasthan is as unique as the state itself. The local dishes are a fine blend of raw yet rich flavours that will only leave you craving for more. If you are planning to visit the state then you must taste the following: Dal Batti Churma, Gatte ki Sabji, Laal Maans, Ker Sangri, Papad ki Sabji, Raab, Pyaz ki Kachori and Ghewar.
How to Reach Mount Abu
Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan that is adorned with picturesque beauty. The lush green hills and the colourful culture of the place make it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the state. You can easily reach here by air, road or rail. Mount Abu is nearly 750km via NH 48, 770km via NH 48, 1,900km via NH 19 and 1,700km via NH 48 from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Scroll down to find out the best and budget-friendly travel options to reach Mount Abu.
By Road. If you love road trips and are planning to visit Mount Abu by road then you may either take a tourist bus to reach the hill station or may drive to the place in your car or bike. The well-established road network in the state connects Mount Abu to Jaipur, Udaipur, and Ajmer via motorable roads.
One-way bus fare to Mount Abu from Delhi starts from Rs.800, from Udaipur Rs.260, from Ajmer Rs.450, and from Jaipur Rs.400. The price may go up to Rs.1000 if you opt for luxury buses that come loaded with amenities like Wi-Fi, AC, live tracking facilities, comfy seats and a lot more.
By Train. The railway junction of Mount Abu is known as Abu Road and is connected to many major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. After deboarding the train here one can take a taxi or a bus to reach the desired place in Mount Abu.
Arriving from Delhi you may travel by Yoga Express, or Ashram Express, from Mumbai Ranakpur Express, or Jodhpur Express, from Jaipur by Aravali Express, from Ajmer Junction by Intercity Express and from Bengaluru Ajmer Express.
By Air. The nearest domestic airport is Dabok Airport which is also known as Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur which is located at a distance of 175 km. The nearest international airport is in Ahmedabad which is nearly 220km away. From the airport, one is required to hire a taxi or get on a bus to reach Mount Abu.
Vistara, IndiGo, and Air India run non-stop flights from Delhi with one-way fare starting from Rs.2500. From Mumbai one may pick SpiceJet, IndiGo, AirIndia or Vistara airlines for their non-stop flights. The average fare for one-way travel is Rs.3000 from Mumbai. From Kolkata and Bengaluru there are majorly connecting flights to Mount Abu by airlines like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Vistara.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
