Trivikrama Temple, Ter, Maharashtra

Trivikrama Temple, Ter, Maharashtra

Trivikrama Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Ter Village in Osmanabad Taluk in Osmanabad District in Maharashtra, India. This temple is considered as the earliest structural temple in Maharashtra. The temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple would have been built by the Satavahanas in 2nd century CE. The external flat-roofed mandapa in front of the sanctum might have been built  in 6th century CE. The image of Trivikrama enshrined in the sanctum might belong to the early Chalukyas. It is said that the temple is an ancient Buddhist Chaitya converted into Hindu temple in 6th century CE. It is said that Saint Namdev had delivered a kirtan in this temple. The temple was interestingly not at all damaged during the massive earthquake of 1993. Ter was known Tagar during the Satavahana period.

This city also served as the regional capital of Satavahana kingdom from 300 BCE to 300CE. Ter is mentioned in the works of the Chinese traveler Hsuan-Tsang. Ter has been mentioned as Tagara in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as one of the two pre-eminent trade centers, the other being Pratisthana (modern Paithan in Aurangabad district). Ter was also the capital of one of the branches of the Shilaharas. Ter was also known as Satyapuri / Tagar Nagar / Terapur / Terbala / Shantapuri / Kanakpuri. Gora Kumbhar, a contemporary of Saint Jnaneshwar was a resident of Ter.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple consists of sanctum and sabha mandapa. The sabha mandapa in front of the sanctum might have been built in 6th century CE. The sabha mandapa is supported by eight pillars. It is said that Saint Namdev had given discourse (Kirtan) in this mandapa. The sanctum measures 8 metres long and 4 metres wide. The sanctum enshrines a granite image of Trivikram.

Images of Bali and his wife can be seen at the foot of Trivikrama. The sanctum is semicircle in shape while its roof is apsidal. The sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. The front of the sanctum is decorated with a chaitya-arch, similar to those found in Buddhist rock-cut architecture. The exterior is devoid of any decoration except the pilasters.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Ter Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Palsap Railway Station, 10 Kms from Dhoki, 16 Kms from Murud, 17 Kms from Osmanabad, 51 Kms from Latur, 87 Kms from Solapur and 285 Kms from Pune Airport. The temple is situated on Osmanabad to Murud route via Palsap.

Location