Siddheshwar temple is one of the significant temple at Toka, Newasa in Maharashtra. This Hemadpanti temple complex belongs to the period of the Peshwas as per the Devanagari inscriptions which are placed on the south-gate of the temple. It seems that Vishnu Mahadev Gadre had built the temple in the year 1767 for the cost of Rs. 93,000. Nana Phadnis contributed further in repairing of the temple and also built six flights of steps from the temple to the Godavari River(called as Ghat).
The beautifully carved temple portrays various mythological themes like Ramayana & Mahabharata and elegantly carvings of God & Goddesses.
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Vishnu temple is placed on the left side of the main abode of Shiva within the compound of the temple complex. This temple is equally ornamented with various sculptures & carvings just like the main one.
Vishnu’s mount (Vahana) is Garuda, the eagle. Vishnu is commonly depicted as riding on his shoulders. Garuda sitting in front of the temple on his knees.
Main attraction of this temple is ‘Dikpalas‘ (guardians of the directions) which placed on all the outer walls. Those include Yama, Kubera, Indra, Varuna, Isana, Agni, Vayu & Nirrti. The shikara (top) of the temple poses amazing sculptures of Gaja-Markatas (Elephant & Monkies) and Lions facing 4 directions. Radha-Krishna are showcased in various poses on the sabha mandapa (dome of the entrance).
Lord vishnu’s black stone idol with Shankha, Gada, Chakra looks very attractive!
Explore My Trip to Vishnu Temple at Siddheshwara – Newasa
Dikpalas (Guardians of the directions)
Dikpalas : Names & Attributions
(Thanks to WikiPedia.org )
| Name | Direction | Mantra | Weapon | Consort | Graha (Planet) | Guardian Mātṛkā |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kubera | North | Oṃ Śaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ | Gadā (mace) | Kuberajāyā | Budha (Mercury) | Kumārī |
| Yama | South | Oṃ Maṃ Yamāya Namaḥ | Daṇḍa (staff) | Yami | Maṅgala (Mars) | Varahi |
| Indra | East | Oṃ Laṃ Indrāya Namaḥ | Vajra (thunderbolt) | Śacī | Sūrya (Sun) | Aindri |
| Varuṇa | West | Oṃ Vaṃ Varuṇāya Namaḥ | Pāśa (noose) | Nalani | Śani (Saturn) | Varuṇī |
| Īśāna | Northeast | Oṃ Haṃ Īśānāya Namaḥ | Triśūla (trident) | Pārvatī | Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) | Māheśvarī |
| Agni | Southeast | Oṃ Raṃ Agnaye Namaḥ | Śakti (Spear) | Svāhā | Śukra (Venus) | Meṣavāhinī |
| Vāyu | Northwest | Oṃ Yaṃ Vāyuve Namaḥ | Aṅkuśa (goad) | Bhāratī | Candra (Moon) | Mṛgavāhinī |
| Nirṛti (sometimes Rakṣasa) | Southwest | Oṃ Kṣaṃ Rakṣasāya Namaḥ | Khaḍga (sword) | Khaḍgī | Rāhu (North Lunar Node) | Khaḍgadhāriṇī |
| Brahmā | Zenith | Oṃ Hriṃ Brahmaṇe Namaḥ | Padma (lotus) | Sarasvatī | Ketu (South Lunar Node) | Brahmāni |
| Viṣṇu | Nadir | Oṃ Kliṃ Viṣṇave Namaḥ | Cakra (discus) | Lakṣmī | Lagna | Vaiṣṇavī |
