Divine Digest
The Gondeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is an ancient, historically significant religious site located in Sinnar, close to Nashik. It is one of the most beautiful temples in Maharashtra.
History
The temple is believed to have been constructed during the rule of the Seuna( Yadav) dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries. The place was an important stronghold of the Yadav dynasty during its pre-imperial period. It was identified with Seunapura, a town founded by the Yadav King Seuanchardra. Sinnar was established by Gavali, chief of Rav Singhuni. Gondeshwar temple was commissioned by his son, Rav Govinda. Another unconfirmed version is that the construction of the temple was done by Yadava feudatory Govindaraja.
Architecture
The temple is a showcase of the Bhumija style of architecture and follows a panchayatana plan. The complex is built on a rectangular platform measuring 125 by 95 feet, and it was originally enclosed by a wall, now in ruins.
The temple of Lord Shiva consists of an assembly hall called Sabhamandap, and the Shiva Linga is enshrined by a towering ceiling called the gabhara. The central shrine consists of three impressive and pillared porches at the entrance. The design of this temple is unique, consisting of beautiful stone carvings and shikhara that are different from any other Indo-Aryan temples.The pillared hall of Lord Vishnu’s temple is elegant, small, and one of the finest in this part of the region. The striking specialty of this temple is the alcove and deep projections on the wall surfaces. The facilitated platform of the temple enables devotees to do pradakshina and also have a wonderful view of the various stone sculptures around the shrine.
The mandapa, with porches on three sides, serves as the entry to the temple. The shrine features a Nagara-style shikhara (tower). The exterior walls of the temple are embellished with scenes from the Ramayana, sculptures of gods and goddesses, dancing figures, apsaras, and other figures. The principal figures on the walls of the main temple are Brahmi, Parvathi, Siva, Bhairava, Varaha, and Narasimha. On the north wall of the sanctum, the accumulated water passes through an ornate makarakumbha.
Deities
The main deities are Gondeshwar (Shiva) and Amman (Parvati).The primary shrine of the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses a large Shiva Linga. The shrine and the Nandi pavilion in front of it are placed on an elevated plinth.
These shrines are rectangular in plan and consist of a mandapa, an antarala (vestibule), and the garbhagriha (sanctum).
The four subsidiary shrines, dedicated to Surya (the sun god), Vishnu, Parvati, and Ganesha, each have their own porch.
The temple is managed by the Archeological Survey of India, Maharashtra.
