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Sirohi District, Rajasthan | A jewel of Maru-Gurjara marble

Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu: where marble was carved thin enough to glow

Five Shvetambara Jain shrines built between the 11th and 16th centuries, the Dilwara group is famous less for size than for craft. Ceilings, pillars and lotus pendants are cut from white Makrana-grade marble so fine that light passes through the thinner petals. Non-Jain visitors are welcomed only in the afternoon window, and the rules inside are strict, so it pays to arrive prepared rather than turned away at the gate.

Intricately carved white marble facade of the Luna Vasahi temple at the Dilwara complex, Mount Abu, in Maru-Gurjara stylePhoto: Malaiya (Wikimedia Commons)
Tourist darshan
12:00 noon to 6:00 PM (non-Jains)
Entry
Free (no photography inside)
Nearest station
Abu Road, approx 28 km
Signature stat
5 temples, carved 1031 to 1582 CE
TimingsHow to reachAartiDress & rulesBest timeNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

Darshan timings at Dilwara

Darshan timings by season
SeasonOpensDarshanClosesStatus
Tourists / non-Jains (all year)12:00 noon12:00 noon to 6:00 PM6:00 PMOpen
Jain pilgrims / worshippersapprox 6:00 AMMorning puja and abhishek, then open through the dayapprox 6:00 PMOpen
Verify before you travel. The morning hours are reserved for Jain rituals; general sightseeing visitors are admitted only from 12:00 noon. The temples stay open year round with no seasonal closure. Guided-tour timings are posted at the entrance and the last entry is well before the 6:00 PM close, so aim to arrive by 4:30 to 5:00 PM. Timings are widely reported but not centrally published, so treat the exact minutes as approx.

Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →

How to reach Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu

Dilwara sits about 2.5 km from Mount Abu town, reachable by shared taxi, auto or a short uphill walk. Reaching Mount Abu itself means a rail-then-road hop, since no train or plane comes up to the plateau.

Reaching by rail, road and air
ModePointDistanceNotes
Nearest railway stationAbu Road (ABR)approx 28 kmOn the Delhi to Ahmedabad main line, well connected. From Abu Road take a state bus or shared taxi up the ghat road to Mount Abu, then a local ride to Dilwara.
Nearest airportMaharana Pratap Airport, Udaipurapprox 185 kmRoughly a 4 to 4.5 hour drive. Ahmedabad airport (approx 220 km) is the larger international option.
Road from UdaipurUdaipurapprox 165 kmScenic Aravalli route, common self-drive and taxi approach.
Road from AhmedabadAhmedabadapprox 220 kmA popular weekend run for Gujarati pilgrims and families.

Read the full How to Reach →

Puja & aarti schedule

  • Prakshal / abhishek and snatra puja by Jain worshippers, before tourist hours beginEarly morning (approx 6:00 AM onwards)
  • Ashtaprakari puja (the eight-fold offering) and darshan of the mulnayak idolsMorning
  • General visitor darshan opens after the ritual period12:00 noon
  • Aarti and final darshan before the 6:00 PM closeEvening (before close)
Jain worship at Dilwara is contemplative rather than the loud, bell-heavy aarti of Hindu temples, and the trust does not publish fixed clock times for each ritual, so these are indicative and approx. To witness ritual rather than only architecture, arrive close to noon at the tail of the morning worship period.

Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →

Dress code & temple rules

Dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees. Shorts, short dresses and revealing clothing are not permitted inside.

Remove all footwear before entering the temple platform.

Leather items are banned inside: no leather belts, wallets, purses, bags, shoes or camera straps.

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside all five shrines. Cameras and phones may need to be deposited.

Maintain silence and do not touch the carvings or idols.

By Shvetambara Jain custom, menstruating women are traditionally requested not to enter the shrines.

A wash or bath is expected of Jains before performing puja; passive solar-heated bathing facilities are provided.

Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →

Best time to visit & festivals

Mount Abu is a cool hill retreat, so the pleasant months of October to March are ideal for both the temples and the town. Summer is bearable here unlike the Rajasthan plains, and the monsoon greens the Aravallis. Jain festival days bring heavy pilgrim footfall and restricted general access.

Major festivals
FestivalWhenSignificance
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (Mahavir Jayanti)March to April (Chaitra)Birth anniversary of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara. Major Jain celebration with special pujas at the Mahavir Swami temple. Peak
Paryushan ParvaAugust to September (Bhadrapada)The most important Shvetambara festival of fasting, reflection and forgiveness; the complex sees intense ritual activity. Peak
Mount Abu Winter FestivalLate DecemberA town-wide cultural festival (not a temple event) that makes the surrounding hill station lively for visitors.

Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →

Nearby temples & tirths

Ambaji Temple

Ambaji Temple

Major Shakti Peeth just across the Gujarat border, the nearest big pilgrimage draw

approx 45 km from Dilwara →
Ranakpur Jain Temple

Ranakpur Jain Temple

The other marble marvel of Rajasthan Jainism, a 1444-pillar Adinath temple

approx 165 km from Dilwara →
Eklingji Temple

Eklingji Temple

Ancient Shiva temple of the Mewar rulers, en route to or from Udaipur

approx 185 km from Dilwara →

Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →

Where to stay

Most visitors stay in Mount Abu town, about 2.5 km away, which has the full range from budget lodges and mid-range hotels near Nakki Lake to heritage properties. Jain pilgrims often prefer the dharamshalas and bhojanshala run by the managing trust (Seth Kalyanji Paramanandji Pedi) close to the temples, which offer simple, satvik accommodation and meals. Book ahead during Paryushan and the October to March peak, as the hill station fills quickly on weekends and holidays.

Read the full Where to Stay →

Frequently asked questions

Dilwara Temples timings today
For tourists and non-Jain visitors the temples are open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM every day. Mornings are reserved for Jain worship. Arrive by around 4:30 to 5:00 PM to be safe, as last entry is before the 6:00 PM close.
Nearest railway station to Dilwara Temples Mount Abu
Abu Road (station code ABR), about 28 km away, on the Delhi to Ahmedabad line. From there take a bus or shared taxi up to Mount Abu, then a local ride the final 2.5 km to Dilwara.
Is there an entry fee for Dilwara Temples
No, entry is free. However photography is strictly prohibited inside, and leather items are not allowed. Guided tours may be available at the gate.
Can non-Jains and tourists visit Dilwara Temples
Yes, non-Jains are welcome but only during the tourist window of 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM, and must follow the dress code and no-photography, no-leather rules.
Is Dilwara Temple open in winter
Yes, the temples are open year round with no seasonal closure. October to March is in fact the best time to visit Mount Abu because the hill station weather is cool and pleasant.

Compiled from public sources including Wikipedia: Dilwara Temples · Wikipedia: Mount Abu · Wikimedia Commons: File:Delwada.jpg. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.