Divine Parmeshwar Temple Vadhona, Himayatnagar, Nanded

In ancient times, to foster unity between the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects, various mythological stories were composed, and idols were crafted accordingly. Among these, the idol of Harihara, representing the union of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, is considered particularly significant. Such Harihara idols are found in India at Badami Cave numbers 1 and 3, on the Dharmaraja Ratha at Mahabalipuram, at Osian in Rajasthan, at Vaidyanath in Himachal, and at the Mukteshwar Temple in Odisha. A similar idol is present at the Parameshwar Temple in Vadhona, Himayatnagar.

This temple is said to date back to the thirteenth century. The original Hemadpanti style temple has been renovated in recent times, giving it a new appearance. The legend regarding this temple states that about 700 years ago, while a local farmer named Ganpat Mali was ploughing his field, the Parameshwar idol emerged after getting stuck in the ploughshare. The news that the deity had manifested in the field spread like wildfire through the village, and the prominent citizens decided to build a temple at the site where the idol was found. It is said that in the year 1309, a local moneylender named Tatya Polkar constructed the temple here.

According to mythology, the demon Guhasura from Guhyaranya in Karnataka, which is now known as Harihara, worshipped Lord Brahma and sought a boon that he should not die at the hands of anyone, and that he could only be killed when Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahadeva became one. Believing that Vishnu and Shiva could never become one, Guhasura considered himself immortal, leading to an increase in his injustices and atrocities. Then, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva united in the form of Harihara and slew Guhasura.

There is a welcome arch on the road leading from the village to the temple. The welcome arch features six circular ornate pillars, and on the cornice above, there is a sculpture of Mahadeva in the center with Nandi on both sides. Beyond this is the grand entrance of the temple. The entrance has ornate pillars connected by an arched lintel on both sides. On the cornice above the pillars, there is a sculpture of Mahadeva sitting in meditation on a tiger skin, with elephant sculptures on both sides of the deity. There are four pillars surrounding the Mahadeva sculpture, and three spires on the roof above. At the top of the spires are the amalaka and kalasha.

Further ahead is the paved courtyard of the temple, surrounded by a sturdy fortification wall. In the courtyard, there is a freshwater tank covered with an iron grill. There are several buildings in the courtyard; one building houses a school, and another is a pilgrim residence with many rooms. There is a spacious walkway from the entrance to the temple, with trees on both sides. The walkway has a roof shaped like an elephant’s back supported by iron pillars. In front of the temple, on both sides, are two platforms with elephant sculptures draped in decorative cloths. In front of the temple, there is a circular stone-built lamp tower (Deepmala), a Tulsi Vrindavan, and a vermilion-smeared stone idol of Hanuman under an Audumbar tree. Beyond this is the Mahadeva temple and adjacent to it is the Parameshwar temple. A common assembly hall (Sabhamandapa) has been built in front of both temples in recent times. The two temples’ halls are separated by a central wall. There are stairs on the left and right sides to reach the roof of the assembly hall, which has a safety railing. There is a spacious entrance to reach the assembly hall of the Parameshwar temple. The hall has four rows of five circular pillars each. The bases of the pillars are wide and square. There are beams on the pillars and a roof over the beams. The assembly hall has a stage for cultural programs. The enclosed hall has ventilators for air and light.

In the assembly hall, along the left wall, stainless steel railings have been installed for queue management. Further ahead is the entrance to the Antarala (vestibule) with ancient architecture. There is a tortoise sculpture in front of the entrance. The door frames are carved with floral patterns, and there is an idol of Ganpati on the lintel. From the entrance, there is a narrow path turning to the left and a subterranean passage with stairs beyond it. Further ahead is the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). In the narrow sanctum, on a diamond-shaped pedestal (Vajrapitha) inside a marble shrine, stands the 5-foot-tall and 3-foot-wide four-armed idol of Parameshwar made of black stone. In the upper right hand of the deity is a trident (Trishul), in the left hand is a serpent, in the lower right hand is a rosary of Rudraksha, and in the left hand is a conch shell (Shankha). The deity wears a crown on its head. This crown is carved with the sun, moon, and a Shiva Linga. Near the feet of the deity, on the right side is Nandi and on the left is Garuda. Based on these features, the idol is said to be the Harihara form, a union of Vishnu and Mahadeva. There are windows in the sanctum facing east and west. For a few days of the year, the sun rays entering through these in the morning and evening perform a solar anointment (Suryabhishek) of the deity’s idol. Beside the shrine is a small chamber where the deity’s bed is kept.
On the roof of the temple is a five-tiered circular spire. Each tier of the spire has twelve niches for deities and is topped with a kalasha. At the top of the spire are two amalakas placed one above the other, topped with a kalasha. Adjacent to the Parameshwar temple is the Shivapati temple. The assembly hall of the temple has many chambers containing deities such as Durga Devi, Vitthal-Rakhumai, and others. In the assembly hall, there is a black stone idol of Nandi on a platform. In the sanctum, there is a Shiva Linga on the floor and a tortoise sculpture beside it. Adjacent to this sanctum is another sanctum where there is a Shiva Linga made of brown stone on the floor. Beside the Shiva Linga are ancient idols of Gauri-Hara, the skull-bearing Kalabhairava, Sheshashayi Vishnu, Chintamani, and the Samadhi of Kaleji Maharaj.

Maha Shivaratri is the main annual festival celebrated in the temple with great devotion. During this five-day fair, the deity is worshipped with sixteen-fold offerings (Shodashopachara Puja). Programs such as Bhajans, Kirtans, discourses, and night vigils are organized in the temple for five days. During the festival, Mahaprasad is distributed to the devotees. At this time, many devotees from Maharashtra as well as states like Telangana and Karnataka come for the deity’s Darshan and to fulfill their vows.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery