The Ambarnath Temple is situated in the town of Ambarnath (which takes its name from this
ancient temple), a station near Kalyan, Ulhasnagar on the central railway route of Mumbai
railway.
The temples construction started sometime in 1061 AD (in the year Saka 982), by Chittaraja , a
Shilhara king and continued in the time of his successor Nagarjuna. His younger brother,
Mammuni is said to have made latter additions to its structure and completed its constructions
.
The Shilharas were vassals of the Rashtrakutas and later the Kadambas. They ruled over regions
of Kolhapur , Thane, Kolaba and Mumbai in present day Maharashtra state
ancient temple), a station near Kalyan, Ulhasnagar on the central railway route of Mumbai
railway.
The temples construction started sometime in 1061 AD (in the year Saka 982), by Chittaraja , a
Shilhara king and continued in the time of his successor Nagarjuna. His younger brother,
Mammuni is said to have made latter additions to its structure and completed its constructions
.
The Shilharas were vassals of the Rashtrakutas and later the Kadambas. They ruled over regions
of Kolhapur , Thane, Kolaba and Mumbai in present day Maharashtra state
The temple is built from black basalt stone and is constructed in the Bhumija style, which was so
popular in the Deccan region of those times.A lot of Chalukyan and Gujrat Solanki (like in the
Sun temple at Modhera) architectural influence is also evident.
The temple is an architectural marvel with beautifull sculptures,statuetes,figur
covering almost every nook and corner of the temple.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva .It measures 60 ft in length. The plan is star shaped.The
Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum,13ft in length and breadth, its door being 9X4 ft) is in a
underground cellar accessible after climbing down a series of stairs (9 nos, 8 ft below level) and
houses a 'swayambhu' (not man made) Shivalinga. The vestibule consisits of pillars carved with
figurines of various Gods and Godesses along with a a ornate lotus shaped ceiling which
immediately catches the eye. The roof is missing and temple is directly exposed to the sky (ambar) ,
which is how the temple may have derived its name.
popular in the Deccan region of those times.A lot of Chalukyan and Gujrat Solanki (like in the
Sun temple at Modhera) architectural influence is also evident.
The temple is an architectural marvel with beautifull sculptures,statuetes,figur
covering almost every nook and corner of the temple.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva .It measures 60 ft in length. The plan is star shaped.The
Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum,13ft in length and breadth, its door being 9X4 ft) is in a
underground cellar accessible after climbing down a series of stairs (9 nos, 8 ft below level) and
houses a 'swayambhu' (not man made) Shivalinga. The vestibule consisits of pillars carved with
figurines of various Gods and Godesses along with a a ornate lotus shaped ceiling which
immediately catches the eye. The roof is missing and temple is directly exposed to the sky (ambar) ,
which is how the temple may have derived its name.
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