Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone

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Shiva literally means 'the one who is eternally pure' or 'the one not affected by the three gunas of nature ( sattva, rajas and tamas) '. The little industrial town of Ambernath located 60 kms away from CST on the central line is named after lord Shiva, Ambernath meaning 'Lord of the skies'. The town is known for it's historic Shiva temple also called the Ambreshwar temple built in 1050 AD on the banks of Waldhuni river. The temple architecture is carved out of stone in Hemadpanthi style and very similar to the Shiva temple I have seen in Hampi recently. The main shrine which is the Shiva lingam is situated in the gabhara room situated 20 steps below. It is associated with many legends and myths which say that there is a tunnel in the temple which was used by Shivaji Maharaj to escape from his Pune residence to the coastal areas in Mumbai during mughal attacks, another version is that this temple was built by the Pandavas in one night out of a single stone and they used the tunnel as an escape route. The tunnel is currently shut.The temple is usually crowded on Mondays and on the eve of Mahashivaratri. The backdrop is picturesque with malang gadh immersed in the clouds and a small stream flowing behind the temple. However, the irony is that this UNESCO world heritage site which is guarded by the ASI now is in dire condition just like most of the heritage monuments in India.

How to reach: The temple is located 2 kms from the railway station in Ambernath East. Sharing rickshaws are available from the railway station to the temple & back

Other Places to see around: There is an anand sagar water park and resort in Ambernath worth a day's visit & a GIPR tank (Great Indian Peninsular Railway Tank) which is a beautiful picnic spot situated towards the MIDC area

Ambernath is known for it's 2 big Ordnance Factories which manufacture arms and ammunition for the armed forces and other small and large scale industrial units in the MIDC area. 

Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 1/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 2/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 3/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 4/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 5/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 6/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 7/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 8/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 9/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 10/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 11/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 12/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 13/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 14/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 15/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 16/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 17/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 18/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta
Photo of Ambernath's iconic Shiv Temple - A treatise carved out of stone 19/19 by Shoumava A Sengupta