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Mount Abu Summer Festival: qawwali and folk dance in Rajasthan's hill station
Qawwali on a cool May night, high above the scorched plains
The Mount Abu Summer Festival is a two-day festival of folk music and dance in Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station, held by Rajasthan Tourism in May or June. Next dates: 15–16 May 2027. The highlight is the Sham-e-Qawwali, an evening of Sufi devotional song, and the programme around it includes folk dances, boat races on Nakki Lake and fireworks on the last night.
Rajasthan Tourism lists the dates years ahead, and the Sirohi district administration confirms the programme a few days before; the dates can move.
The legend
Legend says the serpent Arbuda saved Nandi, Shiva's bull, on this mountain; it was named Arbudaranya, later shortened to Abu.
Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station, at 1,220 m; summers here are gentler than on the plains, and the festival celebrates just that.
Customs
Qawwali evening
The most awaited evening is Sham-e-Qawwali, with Sufi devotional songs from singers from across India.
Dances and lights
There are ballads, Gair, Ghoomar and Daph dances and boat races on Nakki Lake, and fireworks close the final night.
Why a summer festival in the hills
Mount Abu stands at about 1,220 metres in the Aravalli hills of Sirohi district, in the south of Rajasthan, about 45 km from Ambaji in Gujarat. When the plains of Rajasthan are at their hottest, summer up here is gentler, and the festival is built around exactly that: a reason to come up to the hills in the hot season. It is a state-run cultural festival rather than a religious one.
What is on the programme
Rajasthan Tourism lists these as the regular parts of the festival; the detailed schedule is set each year.
Ballads and folk dance
Ballad singing opens the festival, followed by the Rajasthani folk dances Gair, Ghoomar and Daph.
Sham-e-Qawwali
The most awaited evening: qawwali, Sufi devotional song, performed by folk singers from different parts of India. It is usually on day one.
Races and games
Horse races, tug of war, skating races and boat races on Nakki Lake, the lake in the middle of the town.
Band and fireworks
A CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) band show, and fireworks to close the festival.
Dates can move
Rajasthan Tourism lists the festival's dates years ahead in its calendar, and the Sirohi district administration confirms the programme only a few days before. The festival is not tied to the Buddha Purnima full moon, and it has been moved before, once as late as mid-June. Before you plan a trip around it, check the Rajasthan Tourism calendar and local announcements.
Getting there and what to combine
The nearest airport, according to Rajasthan Tourism, is Udaipur, about 175 km away. Mount Abu itself has the Jain Dilwara temples; Ambaji in Gujarat and Udaipur pair well with the trip. The town holds a second state festival at the end of the year, the Mount Abu Winter Festival. For general safety advice, see Is India safe?.
FAQ
When is the Mount Abu Summer Festival?
Next: 15–16 May 2027. It is a two-day festival in May or June on dates set by Rajasthan Tourism, which can move.
What happens at the Mount Abu Summer Festival?
Ballads, the folk dances Gair, Ghoomar and Daph, the Sham-e-Qawwali evening, horse and boat races, a CRPF band show and fireworks.
Where is Mount Abu?
In Sirohi district in the south of Rajasthan, at about 1,220 m in the Aravalli hills. It is Rajasthan's only hill station; the nearest airport is Udaipur, about 175 km away.
Is the festival linked to Buddha Purnima?
No. It sometimes falls close to the Buddha Purnima full moon, but its dates are set by Rajasthan Tourism and are not tied to the lunar calendar.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.