The Gaumukh Mahadev Temple lies about 5 km from Mount Abu, reached by a combination of road and a long flight of steps descending into a lush gorge. At the bottom, a natural spring emerges from a sculpted cow’s mouth (gaumukh) and falls into a small tank where pilgrims bathe or take water. Nearby a temple honours Rishi Vashistha and Lord Shiva (Mahadev), and statues of a chariot and sages add to the sacred landscape. Because the approach involves steep steps enclosed by green forested slopes, the walk itself is a big part of the experience—quiet, slightly strenuous and far more natural than the busy town centre.
About this place
History & highlights
In myth, Gaumukh is associated with the sage Vashistha, who is said to have performed yagna here and created the Agnikula Rajput clans (including the Chauhans, Parmars, Solankis and Pratiharas) from the sacrificial fire. The perennial spring emerging from the cow’s mouth symbolises the sacred Ganga and the nourishing power of the cow in Hindu thought. Historically, the site served as a hermitage and pilgrimage spot associated with the wider sacred geography of the Arbud hills; stepways, shrines and sculptures were added over time by local rulers and devotees. In modern tourism circuits, Gaumukh is promoted as both a religious site and a natural trekking destination, though the long stairway and relatively undeveloped path mean it still feels less commercialised than central Mount Abu spots.
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