The Fort of Achalgarh - Mount Abu Excursions
Mount Abu is a ramification of the great Arawali hills which intersect Rajasthan from end to end, forming a line running north-east and south west.
Perched on the chaotic masses of rocks stands Achalgarh, an ancient fort of Rajasthan. Achalgarh in Hindi literally means an immovable fort.
Rana Kumbha of Mewar built this majestic fort in the 14th century. The fort is situated nearly six miles from Abu surrounded by lofty peaks of the Aravalis. It provides a fine view of Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalis in Rajasthan.
Major Attractions and Monuments of Achalgarh
The chief attraction of the fort is a Jain temple of Shanti Nath built in 1513 A.D which is ascribed to Kumarpal Solanki, the ruler of Gujrat. The last remains of this ruler were cremated in front of the Achaleshwari temple. The Chamunda temple, Bhartari Gupha, Revati Kund, Gomati Kund, Bhrigu Ashram and the temple of Kumbheswari, are places of historical and architectural importance.
It also houses another amazing temple of Achaleshwar Mahadev built in 1412 A.D. The Shanti Nath Jain Temple is having a gold plated image. These two Jain temples stand in ancient Jain style of architecture.
The statues of Rana Kumbha and his son Uda, and Sawan Bhadawa are also very interesting. Adinath temple has 14 images of miniature size made of ‘Panch Dhatu’. The temple is a double storeyed one. The Donjon of Achalgarh which with the interior works of the most remote antiquity. There are a ruins of a granary, the Bhandar of Kumbha Rana, coated within with a very strong cement plaster. On the most elevated knoll to the east are the remains of an alarm tower which still bears Kumbha’s name.
The Hanumanpole and the Champapol are two gateways of the fort.
Near the fort a little below there is situated remarkable temple of Achaleshwar, built in 813 A.D. Numerous ancedotes are in vague about the power of this divinity, which is God Shiva. A big tank 900 X 240 feet known as Mandakini Kund has many fables at its credit. There is an inscription of Phalgun 1266 A.D. The statue is of white marble. 5 feet in height and with the exception of the sculptured figure on the column of Badob, is the finest piece of sculpture.
We would be writing about the pride of Rajasthan tommorrow. Wish to know what it is ? Sorry, We wont tell you. You need to come back again and check out tommorrow about the very finer details of the kinds, types and colors.. shhhhh!!
