The traditional weavers at Ahilya Fort produce colorful yarn that is used for making the famous Maheshwari saris …..
Colorful Yarn
Colorful Yarn
Tag Archives: Ahilya Fort
Focused on Weaving
Maheshwar is noted as a center for weaving colorful Maheshwari saris.
At Ahilya Fort, the 17th century Moghul-built fort, is the Rehwa non-profit weaving center. Rehwa –an old name for the river – boasts 130 looms, and employs 300 people, mostly women. Preference is given to widows. Housed within the fort, the airy layout is cooled by breezes off the Narmada.
Focused on Weaving
Designs on Stone
More intricate workmanship in the carvings at Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, India
Intricate Designs in Black and White at Ahilya Fort
Carvings in Stone
Ahilya Fort features intricate carvings in stone depicting various scenes. Here is one showing dueling elephants.
A Carving of Fighting Elephants
Arch Designs
An Ahilya Fort doorway arch features attractive designs and a carving of Ganesha – the Indian elephant deity
Designs over a Doorway at Ahilya Fort
Viewing in Style
An intricately designed viewing porch at Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, India
Viewing Porch at Ahilya Fort
A Porch View of Narmada
It is said that of the five most sacred rivers of India – Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Godavari and Kaveri, Narmada is the holiest. It is also said that when Ganga herself feels unclean, she takes the form of a black cow and using the darkness of the night as her cover, comes to cleanse herself in the waters of the Narmada.
The Narmada, for most of its course flows through Madhya Pradesh. Owing to its sanctity, there are many temple towns on the river including Maheshwar. This tiny town on the banks of the Narmada is known not for its temples but for its benevolent queen, Ahilyabai Holkar, considered by many as a goddess.
Viewing the Narmada River from the porch of Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar …
A View of Narmada River from Ahilya Fort
Mausoleum at the Fort
Ahilya Fort also has the Chhatri (mausoleum) of Vitoji Rao Holkar. He was the younger brother of king Yashwant Rao Holkar (1798-1811). Built on a high plinth and sporting two bulbous domes, this chhatri is known for its exquisite carvings, especially that of a row of caparisoned elephants on its side.
Minor Temple at Ahilya Fort
A Porch for a View
Quite an architecturally, artistic porch for a view of Narmada River at Ahilya Fort
A View Porch at Ahilya Fort
Ahilya Fort Beauty
This 16th century fort is famous for its elegant architecture and spectacular view from Narmada River, this place was constructed by a greatest queen Ahalyabai Holkar and was her residential place, a queen India ever had seen.
The Beauty of Ahilya Fort
Colors at Ahilya Fort
The Ahilya Fort was originally built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1601 and was decades later regained and reconstructed to become an important place of rule by Rani Ahilyabai. She belonged to the Holkar Dynasty of Indore and reigned over the region from 1765-1796. Maheshwar was the capital of the Malwa during the Maratha Holkar reign till around 1818 as afterwards the capital was shifted to Indore by Malhar Rao Holkar III
Rani Ahilya Bai was a powerful woman, who was loved and admired by the locals. She transformed the city by reconstructing old temples and adding numerous more.
Now a tourist spot as evidenced by the colorful umbrellas of the vendors ….
Color at Ahilya Fort
Temple at Ahilya Fort
Maheshwar – literally means the abode of ‘Lord Mahesh’ – another name for Shiva and is located along the Narmada River and hence an important pilgrimage site.
Ahilyeshwar Temple, inside the temple complex of Ahilya Fort Maheshwar overlooking Narmada River
Temple at Ahilya Fort Overlooking Narmada River
Photos by Ravi 