Winter Festival In Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Rajasthan—a culturally rich state, boasting a history going back multiple millennia—is mostly a desert state, its sand dunes, and its forts, palaces, and temples being the center of its popularity. However, there is a single hill station in the otherwise dry and sweltering state—Mount Abu. Lush green hills on one side, standing atop a rocky plateau, the Aravalli range perceptible up close—the hill station is an attraction for tourists from the world over.

During the last three days of each year, a winter festival in mount abu is organized at Mount Abu, wherein the originality, essence, and historical significance of Rajasthan is exhibited. The rich heritage, delicious food, and enigmatic heritage is put on display for everyone who wants to experience it firsthand.

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Municipal Board of Mount Abu organize this 3-day festival to display the rich heritage of the state while also ensuring the locals get a break from the monotony of life towards the end of the year. The festival commences with a parade. Processions are organized by local authorities where residents of the town participate, adorned in multi-coloured traditional attire, singing folk songs, swaying to the classical tunes as they march ahead. 

Activities at the winter festival in mount abu

The fair has a lot to offer to the tourists who visit mount abu in winterduring this time of the year.

• The grand parade culminates at Nakki Lake, where earthen lamps are lit and then set off on the surface of the water of the lake. Termed as ‘deepdaan’, this is a must-watch sight because of the numerous lamps that can be seen floating over the water.
• Multiple performances are featured during the festival. Classical and folk artists from all over Rajasthan gather together and exhibit mesmerizing performances, showing the rich cultural heritage of the state.
• The Festival boasts of Sufi forms of Kathak and folk dances like Ghoomar, Gair, and Daph. Classical poetry recitations are also an attraction for an evening called Shaam-e-Qawaali.
• Multiple stalls sell handicrafts, handlooms, hand-woven winter clothing, traditional clothes of Rajasthan, and the authenticity of these products cannot be questioned. 
• Other activities also include gorgeous fireworks that are set off in the evening sky that one can capture from a distance, too.
• Live band performance by the CRPF is also a highlight of the winter festival in mount abu.

For those who prefer adventure, there is no dearth of activities. Fun and exciting games find their place in the festival too. In fact, it is one of the few festivals across India that can proudly list Cricket as a sport in their list of activities. Other sports and fun games include skating, horse racing, kite-flying, 

For those people who are food enthusiasts and yearn to explore the diverse delicacies of Rajasthan, the winter festival in mount abu is surely a decadent treat. Specialties specific solely to the state are available to be consumed across the three days, and the lip-smacking food includes the authentic and traditional Dal Batti Churma, the curry-based Gatte Ki Sabji, Ker Sangri—the dish prepared from the local berries called Ker, and the scrumptious and unique Papad Ki Sabji. For non-vegetarian lovers, one can certainly enjoy the lip-smacking Laal Maans—something from the royal kitchens, and the dessert lovers can have a taste of the traditional Ghewar.

It’s a great opportunity to snap some breathtaking pictures of amazing locales of mount abu in winteragainst the backdrop of vibrance and exoticism that Rajasthan offers on a silver platter. The colors, the fun, the joy very much reflect from the way the tourists and the participants alike partake in each and every activity.

How to reach Mount Abu?

For the unversed, it’s not very difficult to reach Mount Abu. It’s at a somewhat driveable distance from Delhi and Mumbai, standing at roughly 800 km from either city. There are buses too that take tourists from these cities to the hill station. The roads are well connected and are motorable as well as easily accessible from the major cities like Udaipur and Jaipur. The bus fares are quite comparable too, loaded with all kinds of amenities.

mount abu in winteris also a railway junction and hence is connected well from all the major cities in India for those who would prefer to take the train. Availability of taxis upon disembarking the train is also aplenty.

For those who would prefer air travel, the nearest airport is the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur, which is nearly 175 km away from Mount Abu. Again, hiring a taxi to the hill station can help one reach the place quite easily. The airfares are not too sky high either, and one can find non-stop flights from the major cities of the country.

As this year comes to an end, it would be a great idea to break free of the monotony caused by restrictions due to COVID. The three-day festival at Mount Abu, full of colours and vibrance, is waiting for us to attend and marvel over the wondrous state of Rajasthan. Packing our bags and getting the tickets right about now might be the best idea!