Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Pedgaon, Maharashtra

Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Pedgaon, Maharashtra

Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Pedgaon Village in Shrigonda Taluk in Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra, India. This temple is located inside the ancient ruined fort of Dharmaveergad. The temple is situated to the east of Baleshwar Temple. Pedgaon is situated on the northern bank of Bhima river.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 12^th century CE. Pedgaon was an important fortified settlement by 1680 CE under the Mughals. The fortifications were built by the Deccan Viceroy of the Mughals. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Maharashtra declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west and follows Hemadpanthi style of architecture. This temple is the best preserved and profusely carved temples in Pedgaon. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapa with entrances on western, northern and southern side. These entrances were provided with a mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa at the western entrance is intact, northern one is ruined state with one pillar and the southern one is completely lost. The maha mandapa is supported by intricately carved pillars.

The pillars are carved with the vase and foliage motif. The sanctum is situated at lower level than the mandapa. It does not contain any image. The shrine is on a lower level than the hall and is filled with earth. It does not contain any image of the god. The lowest panel from the ground has carvings rows of elephants, the next panel has carvings of rows of tiger and images of men and women are carved in the succeeding panel. The exterior wall is carved with images of various forms of Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva, Ashtadikpalas and various other deities.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 13 Kms from Kashti Railway Station, 13 Kms from Shrigonda Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Shrigonda, 15 Kms from Kashti, 20 Kms from Daund, 74 Kms from Ahmednagar, 101 Kms from Pune Airport and 104 Kms from Pune. Pedgaon is situated to the east of the Kashti Railway Station and to the south of Shrigonda Town.

Location