Rajasthan's sole hill station of Mount Abu is witnessing a massive tourist influx as the holiday travel season reaches its peak. On the fifth day of the Diwali Bumper Season Mahotsav 2026, vacationers and pilgrims poured into the picturesque hill town in massive numbers. Despite nighttime temperatures dipping to a chilly 8 degrees Celsius, the cold wave did little to dampen the spirits of incoming travelers. In a span of just five days, more than 200,000 tourists and devotees made their way to the valley, with vehicle entry counts crossing the 35,000 mark.
Tradition Drives Record Occupancy Across Hotels
The annual spike in visitors is deeply linked to cultural traditions in neighboring Gujarat, where families traditionally embark on pilgrimages and leisure trips right after performing Lakshmi Puja on the day after Diwali. This festive migration keeps Mount Abu bustling each year from the festival of lights up through Kartik Purnima. Thanks to this predictable seasonal rush, local hospitality establishments, including premium resorts and budget hotels, have achieved 100 percent occupancy, leaving late arrivals searching for alternative accommodations across the hill station.
Crowds Swarm Nakki Lake and Iconic Viewpoints
Prominent scenic and spiritual sites across the town are teeming with vibrant crowds from dawn till dusk. Sightseers are flocking to iconic landmarks such as the world-renowned Dilwara Jain Temples, the elevated peak of Guru Shikhar, Nakki Lake, and Sunset Point. Boating at Nakki Lake has emerged as a prime draw, with visitors waiting their turn while sampling regional delicacies. Adding a quirky twist to the winter experience, hundreds of travelers could be seen relishing ice cream along the promenade of Nakki Lake despite the 8-degree temperature.
Fresh Tourist Waves Expected from South Gujarat
With the commencement of Labh Panchami, the initial batch of Diwali vacationers has started their journey back toward Gujarat. However, hospitality stakeholders note that this departure will quickly be offset by new arrivals. Fresh contingents of travelers from Surat and other key commercial hubs in southern Gujarat are slated to arrive over the coming ten days. Industry experts anticipate that the lively atmosphere and high footfall will comfortably persist until the religious festival of Kartik Purnima.
Civic Administration Ensures Smooth Traffic and Reaps Revenue
The immense pressure of incoming vehicular traffic has been effectively countered by active ground management from the local police, civic administration, and municipal council. Strategic traffic diversions and strict security arrangements successfully prevented bottlenecks and major road blockages across the hill town. Designating organized parking facilities at Arna Parking and the municipal Polo Ground ensured orderly vehicle placement, providing smooth mobility for vacationers while generating lakhs of rupees in municipal parking revenues.
