AYESHWER TEMPLE
Aishwareshwar Temple, Sinnar
The Gondeshwar Temple in Sinnar is a bhumija-style temple built relatively late in Maharashtra. 13th century. Devagiri was the capital when this temple was built. But even before that, a temple was built in Sinnar during the period when Yadav was a mandlik and Devagiri was not the capital of the Yadavs. That neglected temple is that of Aishwareshwer on the banks of the river Saraswati. This is also called Ayeswar Temple.
Aishwareshwerya is a temple built by King Airam. It is mentioned that this temple was built on the banks of the river Saraswati in the 10th century. Sinnar is considered to be the first capital of the Yadav period.
The sabha mandap, antaral and sanctum sanctorum can be seen. The structure of this temple is in Dravidian style. The main feature of this temple is the Capricorn pylon. This Capricorn pylon is usually found at the top of the space entrance.
Layers like Vyal, Kirtimukh, Yaksha, Apsara, and Mayur are seen in this pylon. These characteristic sculptures emanate from the mouths of two crocodiles and the dancing Shiva in the middle. Ashta Dikpal is found carved on the inside.
This temple of Aishwarreshwer is very small in appearance. Slightly different style. Dravidian and Wesser mixed styles. The original peak is missing today, so the style is not well known. It has a pavilion weighed on the pillars, then antaral, and then sanctum sanctorum. Nandi is seen sitting in the pindi in the temple and in the mandapa in front of it. The pillars of the pavilion of the temple are a masterpiece. These pillars are straight, not tapered near the upper frame like other temples. We can see some broken sculptures on the outer part of the sanctum sanctorum but they are not recognizable due to the wear and tear of the stones. The temple is characterized by a magnificent Capricorn pylon carved in stone on the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.
Aishwaryeshwar temple is mentioned in Chakradhar Swami’s leela charitra.
