Shiva Mandir, Lonad

Shiva Temple, Lonad

Shiva temple Lonad is popularly known as Someshwar temple. This temple was built in the 1^st century AD. It is the time when the Thane and northern Konkan were ruled by Shilahara. The Shilahara were Shiva worshipers. At present, this temple is used by locals to worship. The residence of the Lonad regularly visits the temple to keep it as clean as possible.

Shiva Temple entry to the main sanctum and ruins of the mandapa.

The earlier reference of this temple is in the inscriptions of the Vasai, dated in shaka 1161 (A.D. 1239-40). It states that Keshideva was a son of Apararka and record the grant of a field or hamlet name Bapagrama (Babgaon and Lonad) to four worshipers of Shiva temple. Another one refers to the jirnodhhara (repairs) of the Shiva temple and the gift of the garden in Lona (Lonad).

The backside of the temple showing different layers and carvings.

Gajasthara, the dedication of elephants carrying the load of the temple

This temple was built of well-dressed slabs of stone of trap fitted without mortar and with cross corner dome. The temple is entered in the east and the shrine is in the west. In front of the main sanctuary, there was a hall (Mandapa) with the central dome. According to the local, there used to be the three sanctums, one left to the main shrine and another is at right to the main shrine. There are no traces of the entrance porch to the temple. This is a bhomij style temple (the temple where shikhara starts from the ground and garbhagriha is at lower than the ground level). Above the door, which leads to the main shrine which is 5-6 steps below the ground level, there is a beautiful and intricate carved panel showing the Shiva in various forms.

Carved panel showing various forms of Shiva above the door of the main sanctum.

Left side door which leads to one of the missing shrines. It is adorned with the carving of shiva linga, Lajjagauri and other figures.

Right side door. the shiva linga is seemed to be placed later. the original shrine may be different. the door is adorned with the beautiful carving.

The dome above the garbhagriga has a simple design but due to weathering of the stones, it began to disappear. But the cracks in the stone are fairly visible. In the inner sanctum of the temple, there is Shiva Linga and Nandi at the centre and at one corner there is Ganesh idol. There is another Shiva Linga at the left side but it seems like it placed there much later.

The ceiling of the main sanctum

Garbhagriha

The outer structure of the temple is ruined but the inner sanctum is in good condition. The roof of the mandapa has been fallen and carried away. There are only a few traces of the outer rim of the dome are remain.

The left side of the remaining of the outer rim of the dome of the mandapa.

The right side of the remaining of the outer rim of the dome of the mandapa.

External view of the ruin of the outer rim of the dome of the mandapa.

Behind the temple, there is a water body. The temple is adorned with the beautiful carving on pillars and the panels above the doorway. The broken parts of the temples are spreader on the premises. Carving on the pillars can be still seen. There are carving including Ganesha, Lajjagauri, Ratnapattika, Gajapattika and other broken statues.

Lake behind the temple.

Different columns with different design and carving on it

carving at the backside of the temple which is difficult to identify due to weathering

Carved figure at the left side of the Tempe.

The shilahara seems to have been fond of the buildings. The Mohammedans at the beginning of the 13^th century and Portuguese in the 16^th century destroyed temples and the Shiva temple Lonad is one of the examples among these. The statements of travellers and remains of the temples prove that the masonry was of well-dressed and closed fitting blocks of stone. The sculpture was carved with skill and richness. Many of them seem to have disfigured by indecency.

Broken Amalaka

Broken panel carved with various figures including Lord Ganesha.

The inscription is written on the one of the sthara (layer) of the plinth.

This temple is one of the examples of our rich heritage. It is located in such a remote area that the very less number of travellers come here to visit the temple. Thus the temple remains neglected by many of us. The temple is in such dilapidated condition that we can lose the gem if immediate action didn’t take to conserve and restore it.