Achalgarh Fort Mount Abu
Mount Abu in Rajasthan is one of the major tourist spots for being the only hill station in a state which is otherwise famous for having the Thar Desert. The various attractions of Mount Abu make it one of the most visited tourist spot in Rajasthan. The pleasant weather further acts in favor of the tourist spot as a number of tourists visit this place in order to enjoy its various tourist spots in the midst of a pleasant weather. Hence, the particular place is visited by a large number of tourists especially during the summer to avoid the scorching heat of Rajasthan. However, the pleasant weather is not the only attraction of Mount Abu.
Achalgarh Fort Mount Abu
There are a number of other attractions in Mount Abu as well. The forts and palaces of Mount Abu are a great attraction for tourists. Each of the forts and palaces is an architectural marvel and bears a lot of historical significance. The Achalgarh Fort is one of the most visited forts in Mount Abu. Achalgarh is a fort situated eleven kilometers north of Mount Abu, a hill station in Rajasthan, India.It was commissioned by Rana Kumbha, the esteemed designer who was responsible for many huge fortresses in Southern Rajasthan. Achalgarh Fort was built in the year 1452 by Rana Kumbha. He was well known for his artistic tastes and this fort truly is a beauty to behold. Achalgarh Fort is situated atop a mountain peak. Its position makes it inaccessible to the foes.
With massive walls and an imposing look it is worth a visit. The fort is surrounded by huge walls and has a very imposing look. And within the fortified walls there are many temples. These temples are well known for their beautiful sculptures. A 10 minute climb from AchalGarh brings you to the beautiful and historic Jain Temples. These temples are a must visit for more great views and the beautiful sculpture. One of them is Kantinath Jain Temple which is in the best condition and boasts of a gold plated image.
These facts reflect the devotion and prosperity of the Rajput rulers. These were built in 1513 CE. Another temple is there in the fort which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, The Achleshwar Mahadev Temple which is famous for the statue of Nandi. This massive statue weighs around 4 tonnes. It is said to be built with panchdhaatu namely silver, gold, copper, bronze and zinc. There is a natural Shivalinga as well. Many sculpted idols are to be sighted within the interiors of the temple.
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. If legends are to be believed then the temple was built around the footmarks of Lord Shiva in the 9th century. Achalgarh Fort is easily reachable by a motorable road, it surely deserves to be a part of your sight seeing trip to the various Tourist Attractions in Mount Abu.
Achleshwar also contains a natural Shivalinga. (A Shivalinga is phallus-shaped and fixed on a base, which is shaped like a yoni. The structure symbolises the supreme creative energy. It is usually made of stone but can also be of wood, metal, crystal, and soapstone.) There are also many other sculpted idols which are made of a crystal like stone.
In natural light, this stone looks opaque, but if you place a candle behind the idols they take on a beautiful crystal-like sparkle, the stone is called the crystal stone or sfatik in hindi. nearby the temple, we find the scenic looking Mandakini Lake. This lake is surrounded by rocky hills, and rock walls covered with images of a Rajput king and buffaloes.
