Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c11.s4: Siṅghaṇapur
Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c11.s4
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Siṅghaṇapur
c11.s4.1
Siṅghaṇapur, with its celebrated temple and fine large tank, is situated in a depression in the hills upon the very crest of the high tableland which here falls abruptly into the valley of the Nirā, about forty miles to the east by north of Sātārā. From the hills around, and especially from the court of the great temple, which is perched upon the highest summit, a magnificent view of the country below is obtained, which stretches away from Phaltan to Mālsiras and further. The town is said to have been founded by the Yādava king Siṅghaṇa (A. D. 1210-1247), who is also credited with having built one hundred temples of Śiva daily! (Plates XCI, XCII and XCIV.)
c11.s4.2
The great temple of Śambhu Mahādeva, which is a good example of a very late "Hemadpanti" temple, is situated about three quarters of a mile west of the village upon the highest point of the range, and is a conspicuous object for miles around. Beneath this temple, upon the north side, is the older one of Amṛteśvara, while, around them both, upon the sloping eastern and northern sides of the hill, nestles the little village of Brahman ministrants. A broad flight of steps leads down, under two great archways, to the plain beneath, where it joins the road which connects the hill with the village. On either side of this road are dharmaśālās or rest-houses, wells, and samāds or tombs.
c11.s4.3
The present temple of Śambhu Mahādeva is a reconstruction of an older one, or, rather, a new building entirely erected upon the site of an older, the pillars, lintels and other fragments of which lie about the hill. The present temple is said to have been built by the great Marātha chief Śivāji (1627-1680). In the Nandi pavilion, hanging from the roof, are two old bells dated 1720, in Roman letters, which probably belonged to some old Portuguese church in the Koṅkaṇ. The columns are copied from those of the older building, but the work is not quite so good. The lower temple of Amriteśvara, which is said to have been in existence before the larger one, is probably coeval with the foundation of the town. It is now in a very shattered condition, and is dangerously unsafe for use, nevertheless people use it, and stand about unconcernedly under tons of cracked masses of stone whose temporary props look as if they might collapse at any moment.
c11.s4.4
Near by are the tombs of Shāhji, the father, and of Śambhaji, the son, of Śivāji. The great tank is ascribed to Māloji, the grandfather of Śivāji.