Kedareshwar Cave Temple (Harishchandragad, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra)

 Harishchandragad, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra

Kedareshwar Cave Temple

A historical treasure trove may be found in the ancient hill fort of Harishchandragad, which can be found in Malshej Ghat in the district of Ahmednagar at roughly a height of 4,670 feet. Microliths, or tools made from chipped stone, are thought to have been used by humans between 35,000 and 3,000 years ago. Matsyapurana, Agnipurana, and Skandapurana ancient scriptures all make several mentions of this holy site.

The Harishchandragad Fort's carvings and the variety of nearby buildings are clear indicators of the presence of several cultures. According to locals, the Kalachuri dynasty constructed the fort in the sixth century, and the caverns of Harishchandragad Fort are thought to have been dug out in the eleventh century. They all have Lord Vishnu idols, and the Harishchandragad Temple was also constructed about the same time. The Harishchandreshwar temple was constructed in the Hemadpanti architectural style, which combines black stone and lime without the use of cement and a mortise and tenon joint.

The ancient text "Tatvasaar" was written in the 14th century by the great sage Changdev while he was staying at the fort and spending his time in deep meditation in the temple. Before the great Marathas took possession of the fort in the 18th century, the fort was under the hands of the Mughals in the 16th century.

This monolithic temple features some magnificent sculptures and an inscription written in Devanagari by Rishi Changdev. The sculptures in the Kedareshwar cave and the Harishchandreshwar temple imply that the citadel dates from the medieval era, which is also consistent with the architectural style.

The water tanks that surround the temple are said to be the source of the revered river known as Mangal Ganga. By the temple's eastern side is the Saptatirtha Pushkarni, or Seven Waters, which is renowned for its curative qualities. The fact that the water in this Pushkarni is extremely cold despite being outside is an intriguing feature! There are numerous noteworthy attractions around, and from this vantage point, one can truly appreciate the serene atmosphere, worn rock, and breathtaking vista.

The temple is not far from three caves. The Kedareshwar Cave, which stands to the right of the temple, is the most enigmatic. A Shiva Linga that is five feet tall is located in the center of icy water in this lovely cave. Due to the water's extreme coldness, the Shiva Linga is only accessible by wading in around waist-high water. The cave is filled with beautiful carvings. The large stream that crosses the way, according to the locals, makes it very difficult to get to this cave during the monsoon. Water flows daily through the temple's four walls, which is another intriguing fact.

The cave is supported by four pillars and a large rock that is located above the Shiva Linga. According to tradition, these four pillars stand in for the Satya, Treta, Dwapura, and Kali Yugas. At the conclusion of each Yuga, a pillar separates on its own!