PLACES

GHAT NANDUR

Ghat Nandur, with 3,822 inhabitants in 1961, is primarily an agricultural village in Ambejogai tahsil connected with the tahsil headquarters by a pucca all-weather road. It is also a railway station on the Parali-Hyderabad broad gauge route and is known for its temple of Somesvar said to date hack from the times of the Pesvas. During this period the temple had received two villages in inam for its maintenance. In front of the temple there is a small courtyard and above its entrance is the nagar-khana. Its sabhamandap is 40.23x48.28 metres (25'x30') and has supporting pillars on three sides. These pillars, in-between them, form three arches on each side, making a total of nine. Though the entrance to the gabhara. is through a low door it is elegantly carved. Especially the images of various deities carved at its base show good craftsmanship. The Sivaling is placed in the centre of the gabhara underneath which there is a continuous flow of water. Outside the gabhara there are two water ponds. Though these ponds overflow during monsoon the ling is never completely submerged. In the background there are two idols of Parvati. The nandi image, flanked by two lings of considerable size, occupies its usual position in the mandap. To the right of the mandap there is yet another pond whose waters are used for drinking. In honour of Somesvar two fairs are held, one at the time of Caitra Suddha Paurnima and the other on Kartik Suddha Paurnima. From 2,000 to 3,000 people gather. The temple has been renovated recently.