Plan your trip · Mount Abu
What's on in Mount Abu
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Mount Abu — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Mount Abu right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Mount Abu
Mount Abu's calendar runs through most of the year, with the busiest weeks in the clear, comfortable months and a quieter stretch in the heaviest rain. Broadly, Oct – Mar and Apr – Jun is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Signature to Mount Abu
Summer and Winter Festivals
🗓️ June, and DecemberRajasthan's only hill station marks both the summer influx and the year's end with folk performance around Nakki Lake.
Planning: Summer is when the plains empty into Abu — book ahead or come in the shoulder weeks.
Across Rajasthan
Teej and Gangaur
🗓️ July–August and March–AprilProcessions of decorated idols through the old cities, especially Jaipur and Udaipur.
Planning: Good street photography, heavy crowds in the old-city lanes.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Mount Abu's two big events are run around Nakki Lake. The Summer Festival is usually held around Buddha Purnima, which falls in April or May, with folk music, dance and boat races on the lake. The Winter Festival is usually held at the end of December, with a procession, Rajasthani folk performances and lamps floated on Nakki Lake.
Diwali and Holi are also celebrated across the town, and the Jain festivals bring pilgrims to the Dilwara Temples. Festival dates change each year, so check the latest schedule and book your stay early if you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Mount Abu
- Book your stay early for the Summer Festival, Diwali and the end of December.
- Arrive early at Nakki Lake for a good view of performances and boat races.
- Carry a warm jacket for the Winter Festival, as nights are cold.
- Expect slow traffic on the road up from Abu Road during festivals.
- Walk around the lake area instead of driving, as parking fills up fast.
- Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowds.
Questions
Mount Abu — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Mount Abu?
The Summer Festival and the Winter Festival are Mount Abu's main events, both held around Nakki Lake. Diwali, Holi and the Jain festivals at Dilwara are also celebrated.
When is the Mount Abu Summer Festival?
It is usually held around Buddha Purnima, which falls in April or May, depending on the lunar calendar. Check the dates for the year before you travel.
When is the Mount Abu Winter Festival?
The Winter Festival is usually held in the last days of December, around 29 to 31 December. Check the dates for the year before you book.
What happens at the Winter Festival in Mount Abu?
Expect a procession, Rajasthani folk music and dance, sports and boat races, and lamps floated on Nakki Lake in the evening.