Menal, 15 kilometers from Bijola on the road to chittodgarh, was a favorite retreat of the Chauhan rulers who built a group of Shiva temples here in the woods near Menal river. The Mahanaleshwar temple, the largest group, stands within a walled courtyard. A double-storied gateway provides entry into the complex, which still remains much of its earlier ambience. Amahanaleshwar temple stands facing the west.
The Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle, sits in the permanent vigil in a pavilion facing the sanctum. The two main parts of the structure the sabha mandap (portico) and the sanctum are both topped with shikharas. The domed ceiling of the portico consists of sculptured concentric circles, rising over four elegant columns joined on the top of the beams. The projected bay windows on both sides admit light an air to the interior, besides contributing to the grandeur of the structure. In fact, the whole interior has been lavishly covered with sculptural details reminiscent of the elaborate carvings at the Dilwara temples at Mt.Abu and the Kahajuraho temples.