Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple,
Achalgarh – History
The
temple is believed to have been constructed in the 9th century CE
by the Paramara dynasty. Paramara Dynasty 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
temple suffered damages from Muslim invaders in the medieval period.
The temple authorities decided to
the safeguard the
temple from future attacks. They covered the
temple by a layer of lime and made it to look like an insignificant structure.
The crown prince of princely state of Sirohi in 1979 noticed a marble wall
exposed under the lime. He requested the archeologists to investigate his
finding.
They removed the layers of lime and found that the entire temple was built with marble blocks. They also found a path around the sanctum for circumambulation. Sculptures of the goddess Chamunda were also found on the rear and the left side niches. These sculptures were smeared with the red vermillion, indicating that these sculptures were regularly worshipped in ancient past.
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