Amruteshwar Temple

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Amruteshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in Ratanwadi, a village in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. Built in the 9th century by King Jhanjha of the Shilahara dynasty, it is one of twelve Shiva temples he created and is over 1,200 years old. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and is built in the Hemadpanti style, with a large complex measuring about 61 by 36 meters and an east-facing entrance. The shrine’s main lingam is unusual: a yoni rests in a rock cavity, with three stones arranged above it like a kalasha. A Nandi statue sits at the western gate facing east, and two more Nandis are found on the porch, though weathered. The mandapa has perforated windows, while the roof of the mandapa is missing; the shikhara over the shrine remains ornate. The walls feature geometric decorations and the pillars have a square base, an octagonal middle, and a circular top. Nearby is a square pushkarani tank with steps from three sides and several small shrines around it, housing images of Ganesha and forms of Vishnu such as Sheshayi and Madhava. The site is protected as a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India and is associated with the festival Mahashivratri.