Ambarnath Temple

शकसंवत 982 श्रावण शुध्द 9 शुक्रे समधिगताशेषपञ्चमहाशब्द महामंडलेश्वराधिप(ति)रिपुदैत्यदलनदामोदर-शरणागतवज्रपंजरा(रे)त्यादिसमस्तराजावलिविराजमानमहामंडलेश्वरश्रीमाम्वणिराजदेवः .... are the initial lines of inscriptions that are found at Temple. Dr. Bhau Daji Laud read this inscription for 1st time. 

This line tells us about date of temple, king's name under whose reign construction is finished. Shaka year 982 i.e. 1060 CE. Construction of this temple started during Shilahara dynasty king Chhittarāja's reign & finished during king Mummuni's reign. It can be predicted that temple takes at least 26 years to complete. 

Shilahara dynasty ruled in North Konkan region, their capital was Shristhānaka(today's Modern Thane). They were the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva. But they followed tolerant religious policy where they embraced all sects and religions. Hence we can found shaivites, Jains sects images also carved on Temple's walls. Interestingly even Arabs can be seen on temple's walls that suggests Shilahara king's good relation with Arab. 

This temple do not belong to any one style but blend of many styles. It has Malwa style shikhara and Chalukyan influence and also resembles with Solanki's style of structure. It also suggests free exchange of ideas & acceptance within several cultures. Temple walls are studded with splendid sculptures of Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu and Brahma, narrating various myths associated with them. Here sculptures speak with viewer, carving of sculpture wasn't limited to depicting the deity rather an unprecedented attempt had been made to bring motion in relief that will move the devotees standing in front of sculpture & speak to them, narrate them the story, the myth associated with that particular sculpture. 

Every temple is a living evidence of the period it was built in- it depicts the social, political and Economical scenario of that period. And Ambarnath temple is a deep pond of Information where one needs to dive in and immerse to meet her/his thirst for historical and cultural knowledge. For general visitors also it doesn't fails to attract and imprint a lifelong memory in their minds. 

Reference- Amabarnath Shivalaya by Dr Kumud Kanitkar