Zodge Mankeshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Address

Zodge Mankeshwar Temple, Zodge Village, Malegaon Tehsil, Nashik District, Maharashtra

Diety

Mankeshwar

Introduction

One of the finest temples built by the Yadavas of Devagiri is the centuries-old Mankeshwar Temple in the quaint village of Zodge in Malegaon tehsil. This village is home to countless temples whose mastery is unparalleled. A temple in his honour has been built on the hill which came to be called Jhatumbhya or Jhotingya. It is likely that the village also derived its name from the hill and the saint. Mankeshwar Temple is located at the base of this hill. Locals say that the village was actually on the opposite side but shifted when the plague ravaged India to where Mankeshwar Temple is located. The primordial village deity, Lord Maruti is still in his original location.

Puranic Significance

The entire village became a fortress over the years with only one access road in the north. The fort has since collapsed but one can see a Maruti Temple at the entrance and a samadhi of a warrior. This temple was built in the 12th century with the village in the south and the temple facing west. It appears that the direction of yearly rains has changed after the construction of the temple. The sculptures on the external façade are nothing short of spectacular. Hunting scenes, dancers, apsaras like Rambha, Tilottama and Urvashi and musicians adorn the walls. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha at the entrance of the garbha griha. One has to descend into the sanctum sanctorum where a Shiva Linga rises slightly from the ground. here are Lord Shiva, Chamundi Devi, Ashtadikpālas, Lord Bhairava, Lord Vishnu, singers, animal motifs, and others on the towering spire. It is very rare to see such artistry and splendour anywhere in the world. There is a Saraswati Temple in front of the main temple but the main idol has disappeared. This temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).