Wadeshwar Temple, Ambhai – The Temple

Wadeshwar Temple, Ambhai – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a low raised platform. The temple is constructed in trikutachala style, consisting of three shrines, one each on north, south and west. All the shrines connects to the common sabha mandapa through their respective vestibules. Nandi can be seen in the sabha mandapa facing towards the central shrine. The western shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The southern shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The northern shrine is dedicated to Saptamatrikas.

The western shrine is the central and the prominent shrine. The antarala of the central shrine has niches on its lateral wall, which are empty at present. The doorway of the central shrine has three bands of decoration. The first band has scroll design, middle band has images of musicians and the third one has images of animals. The doorway is flanked by pilasters with the bases left uncarved. The doorway appears incomplete as the usual figures of dvarapalas, and attendants are missing over the bases.

The doorways of the other two subsidiary shrines are complete with respect to the carvings. The lalata bimba of the doorway has a carving of Ganesha. The architrave above the lintel has a frieze of five niches made of pillared shrines. The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Wadeshwar, in the form of Shiva Linga. The southern shrine is more decorated than the central shrine.

The doorway has three bands of decoration similar to the central shrine. The lalata bimba of the doorway has a carving of Ganesha. The lintel has an image of Vishnu in the center with Lord Shiva and Brahma over the terminals. The recessed space is occupied by standing figures of Navagraha. The presence of Vishnu in the center suggests the shrine was dedicated to him.

The antarala has niches on its lateral walls, occupied by Brahmi and Vaishnavi. The northern shrine is also more decorated than the central shrine. The doorway has three bands of decoration similar to the central shrine. The lalata bimba of the doorway has a carving of Ganesha. The lintel has seven figures of the Saptamatrikas. The presence of Saptamatrikas in the upper lintel suggests that the shrine was dedicated to some goddess.

The antarala has niches on its lateral walls, occupied by Brahmi and Vaishnavi. The superstructures over the shrines and the mandapas are of recent additions. The base of the temple has five moldings. The exterior walls of the southern and northern shrines have two bands of decoration. The lower band is decorated with sculptures of dikpalas, and surasundaris and the upper band has multiple moldings devoid of any sculptures.

Images of Chamunda, Kartikeya and Natesha can be seen on the bhadra niches of the northern shrine. Images of Varaha, Narasimha and Surya can be seen on the bhadra niches of the southern shrine. The eaves run around the shrines where the superstructure meets the wall of the shrine. The eaves carries chaitya motifs on the top. The exterior walls of the main shrine has been reconstructed with plain blocks.