Amruteshwar Temple, Ratanwadi, Maharashtra

Amruteshwar Temple, Ratanwadi, Maharashtra

Amruteshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ratanwadi Village in Akole Taluk of Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra, India. This intricately carved Temple is believed to be around 1200 years old. The Temple is situated on the banks of holy river Pravara. The area around the temple is rich in dense forests and wildlife. Because of the natural beauty, this place is also called as Kashmir of Maharashtra. This Village is the gateway to famous trekking place named Ratangad, an ancient hill fort. The Temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is considered to be over 1,200 years old. This beautiful temple was built by the rulers of Shilahara dynasty in 9^th century AD. This is one of 12 Shiva temples built by King Jhanj.

The Temple

The Amruteshwar Temple has been constructed in Hemadpanthi architectural style with beautiful rock carvings on the main shrine. It was built with black and red stones. The temple has a sanctum, a labyrinthine structure dominated by the sculptures of the god, and goddess carved out of stone, and a pond within its complex. Sanctum houses the presiding deity in the form of Shiva Linga. There is a hot spring below the Shiva Lingam. In monsoon, when the level of hot spring rises, the main sanctum fills with water.

The ceiling and the walls of the temple are decorated with some impressive and lovely murals. There is a mantapa with 12 pillars. All the pillars have beautifully carved statues and flowers. Around the temple, there's a pond, which also carries beautifully sculptures made out of black stone. Ratangad Fort is also located at a close distance from this Shiva temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 16 Kms from Bhandardara, 17 Kms from Bhandardara Dam, 17 Kms from Shendi Bus Stand, 50 Kms from Ghoti Railway Station, 59 Kms from Igatpuri Railway Station, 73 Kms from Sangamner, 81 Kms from Sinnar, 83 Kms from Nashik, 161 Kms from Ahmednagar, 180 Kms from Mumbai and 180 Kms from Mumbai Airport. This temple is approached by road from Igatpuri and Sangamner Town via Bhandardara. It would be good to travel by taxi or car as through these mode of transports one can reach here directly. If traveling by bus, then one can get it from Igatpuri but only till Shendi. Further tourists will have to walk to reach the temple. Ratanwadi village is also approached by boat from Bhandardara. By boat, it is a 12 Kms journey and further it is a 4 km walk till Ratanwadi.

Location | Photos