Achalgarh Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple- Rajasthan

Address

Achalgarh Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple- Achal Gadh, Rajasthan 307501

Diety

Achaleshwar

Introduction

Achalgarh in Abu Road Tehsil of Sirohi District, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. This temple is situated outside the fort of Achalgarh close to Mount Abu, a famous hill station. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 9th century AD, and by the Paramara dynasty, which is also credited with having constructed the original structure of the Achalgarh Fort, later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE. The word ‘Achaleshwar’ is displaying Sanskritic sandhi and is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Achal’ meaning immovable, and ‘Ishwar’ meaning ‘God’, while the word ‘Mahadeva’, again formed by the rules of sandhi, means the great (maha) god (deva), and is an epithet of Shiva, the deity to whom the temple is dedicated. There are 108 temples of Mahadev(well known as Shiva) located in and around this popular hill station of Rajasthan. It is about 11 kms north of Mount Abu.

Puranic Significance

This temple has an interesting history of how from being covered with lime it came into its present condition. You can find a huge statue of Nandi, the divine guardian of Kailash(home of Lord Shiva), along with two giant buffaloes in front of the gate of the temple. It is said that Nandi, who was made of an alloy of five different metals called “PanchDhatu”, protected the temple from getting destroyed by the Muslim invaders by releasing untold numbers of bumble bees towards them. However, in 1979, the crown prince of the Sirohi noticed something looking like marble under the layer of lime and asked the fine archaeologists and artists to get a look into the matter. Layer after layer the lime got removed carefully by the artists and the splendiferous architecture covered with lime was revealed. During the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, it was found that it was not built with brick rather with a huge block of marble. After unearthing more, a path was found around the sanctum sanctorum which, according to custom, was for circumambulation. There is a semicircular pit within the temple where the devotees pour water on the right toe of Mahadev, but none of them has any idea where the water goes. So the locals believe that the pit is the way to the “Naraka”(the netherworld). Within the temple is a pit which is believed by the locals to be a doorway to Naraka, the netherworld. Close to the temple is a pond with three large stone buffalo statues. These dilapidated buffaloes are believed to be representative of demons who, according to legend, flocked to the watering hole, which was said to be filled with ghee, until they were shot dead by the king, Raja Adi Pal.

Beliefs

Unmarried boys and girl pray to Lord Achaleshwar for their successful marriage.

Special Features

Out of 108 Shiva temples, Achaleshwar Mahadev temple is quite famous for its unique beauty and distinct way of worshiping than it happens in most of the Shiva temples. You can’t find a “Shiva linga” here like it is mostly found in other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, rather you can find people worshiping the toe of Shiva. Due to that very fact that this is the only place where, instead of Shiva linga, toe of Mahadev is worshiped, and that’s the reason it is unique among all the Shiva temples of India. The temple complex comprises of other small temples belong to different deities of Hinduism named Kachhap, Matsya, Ram,VarahNarsingham,Kalangi Avatar.