Amruteshwar Temple
The shikhara over the shrine is intact and is very ornamental, while the roof of the mandapa has disappeared leaving the inner lintels of the ceiling. The ceiling at places where the original roof slabs are missing is filled in with Hero stones, undressed stones and other architectural members at a later period. The shikhara has four vertical spires with diminishing miniature shikharas capped with a flat amalaka. The walls are decorated with geometrical patterns but are devoid of images. The pillars are carved and consist of a square base over which an octagonal member is topped by a circle.
A stepped tank locally known as pushkarani, square on plan, was also provided near the temple, with stepped entrances from three directions and a number of subsidiary shrines in niches around it. The images in the niches are of Ganesha and different forms of Vishnu like those of Sheshayi, Madhava and others.
Archaeological Survey of India declared it a monument of national importance.
References
- ^ Milind Gunaji, Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra (2010), pp. 117-118.
- ^ https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2022/7/20/Amruteshwar-the-quaint-Shiv-temple-of-Ratanwadi.html
- ^ Source: Archeological Survey of India, Aurangabad Circle, plaque outside the temple, February 2022