| Temples & Legends Of
Maharastra |
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| Temples & Legends Of
India |
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TRYAMBAKESHVAR - TRYAMBAK |
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| The antarala, a
smallrectangular verandah intervenes between the mandap and garbhagriha. The garbhagriha
is internally a square although externally it is a multi-cornered star. The deep vertical
offsets and horizontal mouldings, and the far projecting cornices create memorable shade
and light patterns and give a rich and massive appearance to this huge pile. Numerous
figures of animals and human beings and yakshas and gods add to this chequered pattern.
Running scrolls and small floral designs form parts of the sculptural wealth of the
structure. Each pilaster-like projection has a niche in the centre, housing some image or
the other. Above the garbhagriha rises a graceful spire with curvilinear outlines. Rows of kalash-like motifs decorate the corners. A giant amalaka
surmounts the shikhar, the finial being a gift ‘kalash’. Around the shikhar are
clustered numerous miniature replicas of itself. This structure is the most elegant and
complete specimen of the North Indian or Indo- Aryan style found in Maharashtra. It was
caused to be built by the third Peshwa Balaji Bajirao (1740- 1761) on the site of an older
but much humbler shrine. It took nearly thirty-one years to complete the structure and
cost somewhere in the vicinity of sixteen lakhs of rupees. Inside the garbbagriha the
atmosphere is very calm and cool, darkness adding to the sombre tone. In the centre is a
small depression always full of water and in this water is the swayambhu ling of Shiva.
From a crack on the top of the ling water, that is, Ganga is constantly dripping forth. |
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