Himalayan Art Resources

Buddhist Deity: Achala Main Page

Achala Masterworks

- Art History

- Iconography

- Religious Context


Videos:
- Achala: The Immovable One
- Achala & Fudo-myoo: Key Topics for a Comparison Study

Acala Profile:
Gender: Male
Identity: Individual deity (not an emanation)
Tantra Identity: Not applicable
Tantra Class: Kriya Tantra, Charya Tantra, Annutarayoga Tantra
Source Text: Chandamaharoshana Tantra, Siddhaikavira Tantra, Mahavairocanaabhisambhodhi Tantra
Function/activity: Removing obstacles
Metaphor:

Special Characteristics:
Appearance: Wrathful
Colour: Yellow, red, blue, white and green
Attributes: sword, lasso
Consort: Vishvavajri (at times)
Mount: Vinayakaraja, Ganesha and Mahashvara, Stone

Krodharaja Achala (English: the Immovable One, King of the Wrathful). Achala, also known as Krodha Chanda and Chanda Maharoshana, is a meditational deity in wrathful appearance. He is not a protector. There are however forms of Achala that are included in the Anuttarayoga groupings of the Ten Wrathful Ones. Explanations and descriptions for these deities including Achala are found in the Tantras such as Guhyasamaja, Hevajra, Chakrasamvara, Vajrabhairava, etc. In the context of these Tantras, and the Twelve Wrathful Ones, Achala is a protector deity as part of a group of protectors within a larger system, or cycle, of practice.

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Jeff Watt 2-2003 [updated 9-2012, 12-2014, 8-2017, 10-2018]