Mythological accounts add to the mystic and the aura of the placeAccording to Hindu mythology, Mount Abu derives its name from Arbud, the mighty snake who along with the youngest son of Himalaya, Nandivardhana flooded the mysteriously formed wide abyss to rescue Nandi the sacred bull of Lord Shiva. Mount Arbud later on came to be known as Mount Abu.
It is also believed that Mount Abu is the place where the holy sage Vashishth lived and performed his sacred yagna to protect the earth from the wrath of the demons. It is said that it is from this sacrificial fire that four of the great Rajput clans emerged.
Recent history shows that the place was a part of the Chauhan Dynasty. The place served as the summer retreat of the Rajput kings. The British Empire then leased the land from the then Maharaja of Sirohi and used it as a getaway of choice from the oppressive heat of the plains.
Mount Abu is also the holy site of the Jains. According to the scriptures, Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader) had visited the place and blessed it.