Achaleshwar Mahadev

There are many Shiva and Vaishnav temples in all the states of our country. There is Dwadasa Jyotir Ling, Pancharama Shrines besides temples with face of Shiva. The only Shiva temple built entirely of marble is in the state of Rajasthan. Though the temple is not a Swayambhuh temple of Shiva, the hidden secrets of the temple are remarkable. Apart from Parvati temple, there are no sub-temples in the premises.
Chamundi sculptures alone are carved on the pillars of the temple.
The Shiva Ling change its color three times a day in the Achaleshwar Mahadev temple located outside the Achalgarh fort at Dholpur in Rajasthan. The Shiva Ling turns red in the morning, saffron in the afternoon and black in the night. Scientists believe that sunlight is the cause of the color change, but no research has been done to confirm it.
The color change Shiva Ling attracts thousands of tourists. Achalgarh Fort, built on top of Mount Abu, a popular tourist destination in the middle of the Chambal forest can be reached by taxi about 28 km from Dholpur railway junction. Achaleshwar Mahadev temple is located outside the fort. Dholpur is connected to all towns by road. Dholpur is 55 km from Agra. Jaipur Airport is at a distance of 250 km. Mount Abu is known as Ardha Kashi. Like Kashi, there are many ancient Shiva temples here. According to legend, Kashi is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva, Mount Abu is the suburb of Kashi. The Achaleswara Temple built alongwith the Achalgarh Fort by Maharana Kumbha.
Achaleshwar is a Sanskrit word. In Sanskrit 'Achal' means immovable or motionless. 'Ishwar' means 'God'. Achaleshwar is the immovable or desireless form of Lord Shiva. Devotees worship the thumb in Lord Footprint of Lord Shiva in a circle built around footprint in the temple. There is a natural hole beneath the thumb. Though much water is poured into the hole, the hole will not be filled.Where the water flowing through the hole ends up is still a mystery. Local belief is that this crater is the gateway to hell.
It is believed that Mount Abu is standing on the thumb of Shiva, and the mountain will be destroyed on disappear of thumb. The beauty of the temple is tarnished by a thick layer of lime
The temple has marble sculptures carved by Rajasthani artisans inside the limestone. But the marble temple was not damaged by the lime cover. Therefore, the beauty of the temple was not visible and it was like an ordinary temple. Prince Sirohi saw the exposed piece of marble under the lime and started the restoration of the temple. As a result of the work done by the workers in removing the lime coating, the beauty of the marble inside was revealed and the temple was restored to its former glory. It is known that the temple was built with marble instead of bricks in the reconstruction of the sanctum sanctorum
The temple has other idols carved with crystal. They naturally appear crystalline when exposed to light. There are black stone idols of Nrisimha, Vamana, Matsya, Krishna, Rama, Parashurama, Buddha, Kalki and other incarnations outside the sanctum.Red saffron water marks were found during the repairs indicating that the idols were worshiped daily in the past. A path has been found around the sanctum for pilgrims’ circumambulation. The idols of Maa Chamundi are carved on the two pillars behind and to the left of the temple. There are three large Mahishi (male buffalo) idols on the banks of the Koneti near the temple.It is believed that the Mahishi idols are demons who were burnt by the king without drinking the Koneti water. There is a large white Oleander flower tree at the junction of the Achaleshwar Mahadev Temples. The four ton Nandi idol in the temple attracts visitors. Nandi looks like brass, is made of an alloy of gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc. According to local legend, the Nandi idol saved the temple from attack by Muslim invaders and saved the temple from destruction by releasing innumerable bees on the attackers. This marble temple, 55 km from Agra, would become a tourist center like Taj Mahal in Agra with adequate publicity. People believe that Achaleshwar Mahadev fulfill the desire of every devotee. Achaleshwar Mahadev is especially worshipped by unmarried young men and women seeking a well-behaved spouse for a happy life after marriage. The temple is open from 5 am to 7 pm.