Ambarnath Shiva Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the international airport serving Mumbai.

• By train

  Ambarnath railway station is on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway, and the temple is about 2 km from the station (East). CSMT local trains run to Titwala, Ambarnath and Badlapur.

Why devotees come here

The Ambarnath Shiva Temple is an 11th-century Hindu temple at Ambarnath, near Mumbai in Thane district. It stands on the bank of the Waldhuni river. Its sanctum lies below ground, and its tower was apparently never completed.

The temple is dedicated to Shiva and is also called the Ambreshwar Shiva Temple. Locally it is known as Shivmandir and as Puratana Shivalaya. It was built in 1060 CE and carved in stone. It was probably built by the Shilahara king Chhittaraja, and it may have been rebuilt by his son Mummuni.

The temple is in the bhumija form. The sanctum is below ground, reached by about 20 steps down from the mandapa, the pillared hall. The mandapa has three porches. Much of the carving on the outer walls is damaged, but some female and divine figures remain.

The tower above the sanctum stops a little above the height of the mandapa and was apparently never completed. Had it been finished, it would have looked like the Udayesvara Temple in Udaipur, Madhya Pradesh, begun in 1059, and the Gondeshwar Temple at Sinnar. That would mean four corner bands of gavaksha-honeycomb running up the full height, and rows of five small spires on each face. One view holds that the unfinished tower stands for the sky, since Ambarnath means the Sky.

Festivals

• Phalguna month (February-March)Mahashivratri

  On Mahashivratri, devotees offer Ganga Jal, milk, honey, ashes and Bel leaves to the Shivling and keep a night vigil with hymns and mantras.

Tips for your visit

• Government pay-and-park parking is available on both the east and west sides of Ambarnath station.
• Much of the carving on the outer walls is damaged, but some female and divine figures remain to look for.

Questions people ask