Attending Mount Abu's Summer Festival? Here's what to expect

Located in the Aravalli Hills, Mount Abu is the only hill station in the state of Rajasthan. It is referred to as ‘an oasis in the desert’, since it is home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and evergreen forests. The nearby Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1960 and covers 290 sq km of the mountain.

Mount Abu was a favourite escape from the summer heat for the Chauhan dynasty of Rajasthan, to whom the city belonged. The Summer Festival was established during this time as a means for the local populace to showcase their culture and traditions, which then became a major attraction for tourists from other parts of the country.

The Summer Festival

A two-day celebration featuring folk and classical music, tribal life, and culture is held every year during Buddha Purnima. The festival celebrates the life, warmth, and cheer of the people of not just the city, but of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat as well. The famed Rajasthani hospitality, tranquil lakes, and picturesque scenery make Mount Abu a perfect location for this annual celebration.

The festival begins with a ceremonial procession culminating at Nakki Lake Chowk, followed by the singing of a ballad, after which Rajasthani and Gujarati folk dances and other shows are performed. An exciting boat race is organised on Nakki Lake to add variety to the festival.

On the second and final day, a variety of competitions are held, where the desire to win matches the excitement amongst the viewing public. Some of the events are:

• Skating race

• Skater’s show

• CRPF Band show

• Boat race on Nakki Lake

• Horse races

• Panihari Matka Race

• Deepdaan

The Sham-e-Qawwali is a dazzling musical extravaganza featuring famous singers from across the country. The grand finale is a spectacular fireworks display, which not only catches the fancy of the festival goers but is visible for miles around.

Getting there

Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap airport is 185 km away. For those who prefer to travel by rail, Abu Road is the closest station, about 29 km away. There is also a good network of bus services linking Mount Abu to cities like Ahmedabad, Udaipur, and Jaipur.

Extending your break

If you’re heading for the Summer Festival, you could extend your holiday by visiting Club Mahindra Udaipur or Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh resort in Rajasthan. Both resorts provide facilities for you to either wind down from the excitement of the festival, or continue more adventures but in a quieter and less crowded setting. Know more about other popular festivals of Rajasthan to indulge in during your family vacation at Club Mahindra Rajasthan resorts.

Also, read through these Club Mahindra reviews & get a sneak peek of what our happy members have to say about Club Mahindra resorts in Rajasthan.