Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra Undoubtedly, Maharashtra is among the most spiritually advanced states in India. It boasts remarkable religious locations including the Ellora and Ajanta caves, as well as three holy towns belonging to three distinct religions. There are numerous historic temples throughout the state. Bookworms, we cordially encourage you to peruse this list of Maharashtra’s top ten temples.
The hamlet of Anwa is home to this temple. It is located 8 kilometers from the Ajanta highway and on the route that connects Aurangabad to the Ajanta Caves. Even though there are representations of Lord Vishnu, this shrine is devoted to Lord Shiva. That temple is a blend of Vaishnavism and Shivism. With lovely carvings all around, it remains firmly. It was created in the year 1276. The temple features an open area, or sabha mandap, constructed in the Hemadpanti style. Religious symbols and figures of Hindu lords are intricately carved within the columns. Spend an hour exploring this stunning temple in Anwa hamlet if you visit the Ajanta Caves [Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra].
The Nrusinha teerth temple at Charthana.
Charthana is a very interesting village to visit because of its ancient architectural temples, beautiful wooden houses and Bawdi. This village had 360 temples dedicated to Mahadev. Today many of these temples have been lost, ruined, either destroyed or buried. There are still few temples that allow us to imagine the beauty of the village long time ago. There is also a bawdi (stepwell), it used to be a water source for the village few decades ago. To visit the Nrusinha teerth temple, you have to take a small walking path that crosses the fields of carrots, cauliflower and tomatoes. Before crossing a bridge, you can see the temple on your front side. You will be amazed by this temple set in the middle of timeless nature. It is right beside the little river flow which gives a mesmerizing feeling during monsoon time.
It is a large temple which has a main sanctum where the guardian deity resides and cavities around it with statues of other deities. At the bottom of the stairs, a few statues are placed on the ground which are believed to be ruined parts of temple. The most important one represents Vishnu.
The Trimbakeshwar temple.
This temple is located at 28 kilometers from the holy city of Nashik at the foot of Bramhagiri mountain which is the source of the Godavari river. This river is the longest river on the Indian peninsula. It is considered as sacred river of India. This temple is a one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples which was built by third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740-1760) on the site of an old temple. According to the Shiv Puran, one day Brahma (God of creation in Hinduism) and Vishnu (God of preservation) had a dispute over the supremacy of creation. To resolve this quarrel, Shiva pierced the three worlds with an endless pillar of light, the Jyotirlinga. The two gods separated to find the end of the pillar. Brahma lied by declaring that he had found the end of the pillar and Vishnu recognized his defeat. Shiva appeared as a second pillar of light and cursed Brahma. In all times, when Vishnu is worshipped, there will be no room for Brahma. The 12 temples were built where Shiva appeared as a column of fiery light. This is the story we have heard but there are other stories too such as the temples were built where immortal liquid has fallen from heaven. There are always a lot of people in and around the temple. The temple itself is quite simple but the atmosphere around is extraordinary. In addition, stroll through the village, you will discover other magnificent temples on the way to Bramhagiri mountain [Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra].
The Aundha Nagnath Temple.
It is to be believed that the actual temple was built by Yudhishthira, the oldest in the Pandavas during the Mahabharat era.The present temple was built in the 13th century by the Seuna dynasty (Yadava) who had their capital at Devgiri. It is also Hemadpanti style although it was partially rebuilt during the Peshwar era. It is number 8th Jyotirlinga temple in India. The temple has a multitude of statues which are finely carved. When you go around the temple, you no longer know where to look because there is so much to see. Arriving at the back of the temple, you will be dazzled by the large statue of Vishnu, in a meditation position. The roof denotes to the complete satisfying feeling, it gives a charm and a particular beauty to this temple [Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra].
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Daityasudan temple, is the first of the top 5 most beautiful temples in Maharashtra.
Arriving at the top 5 of the most beautiful temples in Maharashtra, it becomes more and more difficult to decide which one deserves better number. They all are of equal beauty but the emotions or experiences they offer guided my choices to establish the ranking. So let’s start with the Daityasudan temple which is located in Lonar village near Lonar lake. This temple is one of it’s kind. Indeed, more of the temple was destroyed and rebuilt in a completely different style. The temple was built in the 12th century in the Hemadpanti style. It is dedicated to the god Daityasudan, avatar of Vishnu, who killed the demon Lonasur. The history of Lonar starts from their epic battle to the third largest crater in the world. When you arrive in front of this temple, you will have a strong feeling due to the different architecture which is not similar. Start by going around the outside of temple. You will find statues of different deities. But especially statues representing the Kamasutra. If you pay attention, you will also discover statues with Asian features. We know that Japanese monks came to visit Ajanta caves in the 7th century so we think that there were some cultural exchanges with China or Japan. The sculptors must have been inspired to create the statues. When you enter the temple, you will be surprised. The architecture is no longer Hemadpanti at all but rather Nizam style. There are several speculations around the restoration of this temple between the XVII and XIX century. One thing is certain, once you are inside the main sanctum, you will be confused to understand if you are in a temple or a mosque.
Siddheshwar Temple Pravara Sangam.
What makes the beauty of this temple is its simplicity. No huge carved colonnades of various deities. The sculptures here are simple and elegant. This temple was built during the Peshwa period (18th century). An inscription in Devanagari located on the south door of the temple confirms this. There are scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata depicted on the walls as well as many gods and goddesses. The temple is located on the banks of the Godavari River on the road between Aurangabad and Ahmednagar. If you have a chance to make this trip with a driver, ask him to stop at this temple to visit and explore the place. It is one of the best scenic spots during monsoon due to the confluence of the Godavari and Pravara rivers [Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra].
Kopeshwar Temple Khidrapur.
Khidrapur village is located 60km from the ancient Maratha capital, Kolhapur. The road between these two places is very pleasant.
When you arrive in the village, you will be on the border between Karnataka and Maharashtra. According to believers, Sati (Shiva’s wife) visited her father to celebrate a ceremony. She was accompanied by Nandi (Cow). During this ceremony, Daksha Prajapati, Sati’s father, went mad and began to insult his daughter and her husband. Sati felt Humiliated and threw herself into the fire and died. When Shiva heard the news, he went into a black rage. He created Virbhadra from his hair to destroy Prajapati. It is Vishnu who were able to calm Shiva who were on the verge of destroying the world. After entering the temple, you will discover a circular platform that is open to the sky. Your gaze will be drawn to the sky. On the pillars of this platform are deities like Ganesh or Indra. By positioning yourself in the center of the platform, you can admire the god Shiva in the main sanctum. On the left, we can admire the God Bramha, and on the right side, the God Vishnu. At a single glance, you can observe the holy Hindu trinity. The temple appeared in the Marathi film named Katyar Kaljat Ghusli. Here is the video where you can see this temple [Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra].
Gondeshwar Temple.
We shall never forget my initial visit to this shrine. To get from Nashik to the Gondeshwar temple, we had used a rickshaw. The little, uninteresting town of Sinnar, which is rather modern, will pass you by. The road that leads to the temple terminates in a large area covered in trash. We initially questioned whether coming had been the right decision. We exit the rickshaw and make our way to the temple’s main entrance. After this was over, we felt victorious. The temple is situated in the middle of a garden that is surrounded by high walls. The 11th and 12th centuries saw the construction of the temple. It was constructed in the Bhumija design. There is a primary sanctuary within the compound.
Hottal temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Maharashtra.
Hottal is located 80km south of Nanded. This tiny village is not very touristy despite its main temple which is one of the most beautiful in Maharashtra. This temple dates from 1120 AD and was built by Siddhugi. It is a very fine example of the Chalukyan architectural style. The temple is dedicated to the performing arts. This is why on the exterior walls, there are sculptures representing classical musicians or dancers. This is why in January a big show is organized in front of the temple with musicians and dancers of Maharashtra. There are so many details that you can discover for two days by admiring the temple and exploring new things. Surprisingly, one of the walls of this temple is completely plain without any art pieces. The temple almost disappeared, but thanks to the people of the archeology department, tourism department, and locals who saved this place by rebuilding it. If you are in the Nanded district, take a stop to see this temple. You will not be disappointed. In addition, the locals are incredibly kind [Top 10 Most Famous Ancient Temples in Maharashtra].
Conclusion.
All things considered, our exploration of the “Top 10 Most Famous Ancient Temples in Maharashtra” has revealed the enduring charm of the region’s spiritual past. Every temple is resonant with centuries of cultural past, from the intricate details of the Ajanta Caves to the hallowed sentiments of Trimbakeshwar. May these historic wonders lead you on an immersive journey of spirituality, history, and architectural beauty as you prepare for your pilgrimage. With its hallowed temples, Maharashtra welcomes you to experience the echoes of the past and embrace the enduring customs that have molded the spiritual terrain of this multicultural and diverse area.
FAQs for Top 10 Most famous ancient temples in Maharashtra.
1. Are these ancient temples in Maharashtra easily accessible for tourists?
– A: Yes, most of the temples are well-connected and accessible by road, making them convenient for tourists to explore.
2. Are there any entry fees for visiting these famous ancient temples in Maharashtra?
– A: Entry fees vary by temple, and it’s advisable to check individual temple guidelines for specific pricing details.
3. Can I hire a guide to learn about the history of these ancient temples in Maharashtra?
– A: Yes, many temples offer guided tours, providing insightful narratives about their history, architecture, and cultural significance.
4. Are there restrictions on photography inside these famous ancient temples?
– A: Photography policies vary; some temples allow photography, while others may have restrictions. It’s recommended to check individual guidelines.
5. Can I visit all the Top 10 ancient temples in Maharashtra in a single trip?
– A: While possible, it’s recommended to plan a multi-day trip to fully appreciate and absorb the historical and spiritual significance of each temple.