Neelkantheshwar Temple, Sindkhed Raja, Maharashtra

Neelkantheshwar Temple, Sindkhed Raja, Maharashtra

Neelkantheshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Sindkhed Raja Town in Sindkhed Raja Taluk in Buldhana District in Maharashtra, India. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Maharashtra declared by Archaeological Survey of India. Sindkhed Raja is the birthplace of Jijabai, the mother of Maratha Emperor Shivaji.

History

The original temple is believed to have been built by the rulers of Seuna Yadava Dynasty of Devagiri. The temple is said to have been completely rebuilt in 1662 CE by Raghoji, brother of Jijabai, the mother of Maratha Emperor Shivaji. King Sindurama founded the Sindkhed Raja and was named after him. The place was also called as Siddha Kshetra during ancient times. The village probably derived its name from the Sindi Trees as these trees are found abundant in this region.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. the temple consists of sanctum, antrala and sabha mandapa. Nandi can be found facing towards the sanctum. There is an inscription belonged to Raghoji, brother of Jijabai, the mother of Maratha Emperor Shivaji on a stone pillar behind the Nandi. The inscription records the renovation activities carried out by him.

There is a north facing shrine enshrining an image of Harihara in the temple premises. This image is considered to be the oldest sculpture in the temple dated to 11^th century CE. The right side of the image represents Lord Shiva and left side represents Lord Vishnu. Nandi is carved at the feet on the right side while Garuda is carved on the left side.

There is a tank called Neelkanth Barav in front of this temple. The pond is square in shape with an area of ​​34 × 34 meters. The pond is provided with ghats on all sides for safe descend. It is said that there were 15 Shiva Lingas installed on all the four sides of the tank and an image of Uma Mahesvara on the northern wall of the tank. There are shrines for Bhairava and Saneeswara on the western bank of the tank.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Sindkhed Raja Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Jalna Railway Station, 33 Kms from Jalna, 49 Kms from Lonar, 57 Kms from Mehkar, 82 Kms from Buldhana, 87 Kms from Aurangabad Airport and 90 Kms from Aurangabad. The temple is situated on Jalna to Mehkar route.

Location