Uttareshwar Temple, Ter, Maharashtra

Uttareshwar Temple, Ter, Maharashtra

Uttareshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Ter Village in Osmanabad Taluk in Osmanabad District in Maharashtra, India. The temple is one of the state protected monuments in Maharashtra declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

This temple is believed to be built in 6^th century CE based on the architectural style. 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 and was built with bricks and wood. The temple consists of sanctum and mandapa. The sanctum is square on plan. The wooden doorjambs of the sanctum is intricately carved with flying vidyadharas, ratnashaka, vyalashaka, musicians, floral motifs and geometric patterns. The lintel of the sanctum doorway is depicted with Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Lakulisa surrounded by Ganesha playing music. This doorjamb has now been preserved at the Lamture Museum at Ter.

The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Uttareshwar in the form of Shiva Linga within square yonipitha. Images of Surya and Vishnu can be seen behind the Linga. The exterior is decorated with pilasters at regular intervals. The space between these pilasters are carved with chaitya windows. The vimana over the sanctum follows dravidian style of architecture. Bana Lingas, Yonipithas, sculptures of Hindu deities and architectural fragments can be seen in the temple premises.

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