Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan c11.s4.3

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.