The fortress of Gwalior proves to be a place of royal power as well as religious worship. On the opposite side of the palace are several ancient shrines, including Sas Bahu Temple. The larger shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Sahastrbahu form- thousands arms/ hands form) built for Sas (Mother in Law), the queen of Kachhwaha king Mahipal, as she was devotee of Lord Vishnu. They were originally devoted to the god Vishnu. The second shrine, called Bahu (daughter-in-law) Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Very elegant architecture is reminiscent of glorious Indian past. The pyramidal roof of the Sas Bahu Temple, called ‘shikhar’, is very beautiful and an architectural poetry in stone. Its roofs are circular and shaped like a lotus. The ceiling is supported by octagonal pillars. The temple is 32 meter long and 22 meters wide and has three gateways facing three different directions and there is a ‘mandapam’ in the forth direction. The barbaric Muslim invaders tried to destroy these temples but it could withstand it.