Built in the 14th century by Rana Kumbha, Achalgarh Fort is around 11 km from Mount Abu. This beautiful fort has many Jain and Hindu temples. The Achaleshwar Mahadeo temple in the fort is a well-known pilgrimage site where the foot prints of Lord Shiva are said to be embedded on a rock. It is best known for its Nandi that weighs four tones and is built of five metals namely gold, silver, copper, bronze and zinc. This temple was constructed in the 9th century prior to the construction of the fort.
According to popular legend, it was built around the toe marks of Lord Shiva, an important God in the Hindu pantheon. It is believed that the deep pond type thing those worshippers pay obeisance to leads down to the very centre of the earth and was made by Shiva to make a mark on the face of earth. A sculpture of Parmar Dharavarsh, and Mandakini Tank with the image of Adi Pal (a Paramar king) and three large stone buffaloes pierced with an arrow are the major attractions.
Many sculpted idols are to be sighted within the interiors of the temple. There is a natural Shivalinga as well. The striking part about the sculpted idols is that they are made of a crystal like stone which generally looks opaque. However amazingly as soon as a candle is placed behind them they start sparkling like a crystal.
In the nearby vicinity of the temple is the Mandakini Lake that is encircled by rocky hills as well as by walls. The walls are sculpted with the images of Rajput kings and buffaloes. All in all, the Achalgarh Fort in Rajasthan, India with its massive walls and its beautiful temples is well worth a visit.Other noteworthy temple is Kantinath Jain temple (1513 AD). The latter has a gold plated image. The fort was built in the 14th century AD by Rana Kumbha and is approachable by a motorable road.The temples are well known for their beautiful sculptures.
The fort was built way back in the year 1452. Rana Kumbha, the valiant Rajput ruler of Mewar who spearheaded the Rajput resurgence movement in the fifteenth century is credited with the construction of several forts and the Achalgarh Fort is one of them. He was an esteemed designer and this huge fortress alongside the other thirty two is a notable example of his skills.
The visitors go up the steep meandering road to reach the fort that is positioned on top of a mountain peak. On account of this eminent location, it offers overwhelming views of the surroundings. The fort is surrounded by huge walls and has a very imposing look.
Mount Abu is steeped in myth, mystery, beauty, history and theology. 'Abu' literally means the son of the Himalayas. Mughal emperor Akbar was unable to tame and control over the Sirohi kingdom. Maharao Maan, the valiant ruler of Sirohi, (1562 – 1572) adopted Surtran, who bravely faced the attack of the Akbar’s hundred thousand soldiers. The prudent king Surtran took position at Achalgarh Fort in Mount Abu. The Mughal siege continued for more than six months but Akbar’s army failed to find a way up to the vantage position on the Mount, as every attempt was fiercely frustrated by Surtran’s alert and agile guerrillas.
The battle of Dattaani that followed in 1583 was one of the bloodiest in Indian history. It spelt a disastrous defeat for Akbar who never looked again at Sirohi.
The fort of Achalgarh is mostly in ruins now.
Today this Fort stands as a testimony to the medieval era. The battlement walls surround the Achalgarh fort on all its sides.
