The Hemadpanthi temple of Mahadev
Gondeshvar Temple of Mahadev is one of the complete and best preserved temples of Nagar style in Deccan. It was said to be built by the Yadava Prince Rav Govinda, in the beginning of 12th century A.D. The temple is one of the best example of panchayatana shrine (main shrine flanked by subsidiary shrines at four corners), and all the five shrines are on a raised platform (38 x 28 m). The main temple is dedicated to Shiva and the subsidiary shrines are of Vishnu, Ganapati, Surya and Parvati. The entire complex is within a walled enclosure provided with gateways on south and east. The main shrine consists of a garbhagriha, antarala mahamandapa with porched entrances on east, south and north. A detached pavilion to the east houses Nandi. The shrine is surmounted by a curvilinear shikhara comprising of miniature sikharas of diminishing sizes. The mahamandapa is provided with a pyramidal roof. The exterior wall is embellished with scenes from the Ramayana, sculptures of male and female deities, dancing figures, apsaras etc. The principal images on the walls of the main temple are Brahmi, Parvati, Shiva, Bhairava, Varaha and Narasimha. On the north wall of the sanctum the accumulated water passes out through an ornate makara mukha. The real beauty of Gondeswar Mahadeva temple lies in its symmetrical disposition of forms and grandeur of scale.