Sacred Amnayeshwar Temple Burambad, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri

The revered Amnayeshwar (Amnayeshwar) Temple, a living shrine situated in Burband village, Sangameshwar Taluka, Ratnagiri District, is a Pandav-era temple and one of the renowned Shiva temples in Konkan. This temple, bearing witness to Hemadpanti architecture, is distinguished by several unique features: the spontaneous Shivnad (Simhanad, a lion’s roar-like sound) that occasionally emanates from its Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), the direct rays of the setting sun falling upon the Shivlinga in the Garbhagriha twice a year, and the presence of idols depicting Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatara (ten incarnations), despite it being a Shiva temple. Amnayeshwar, the revered deity of many Konkanastha Brahmins, is a sacred place of worship for thousands of devotees.

The legend of the temple states that a Brahmin’s cow used to graze here. It would release its milk onto a particular stone. When this was noticed, the enraged Brahmin struck the stone with an axe, causing it to break into three pieces. One piece fell on a rock by the Gadnadi river to the west, and it came to be known as Kataleshwar . The second piece, which fell across the river at Kalambushi, became Kalpeshwar, while from the third piece, which remained at Burband itself, a stream of blood began to flow. Realizing his mistake, the Brahmin prayed to Lord Mahadev, and the flow of blood from the stone ceased. Subsequently, Amnayeshwar was installed here. There is also a legend that the Pandavas built this temple in a single night. This deity is called Amnayeshwar because Lord Mahadev resides in the forest of Amoni (a thorny shrub from the mango family).

This ancient temple, built of black stone with five spires, is located in Burband village on the Aravli-Makhjan road. It is said that the first part of the temple, bearing the influence of Muslim architecture, was built during the Pandav era, and the second part during the Shiv era. The temple acquired its current form after renovations carried out a few years ago. The temple is surrounded on all four sides by a rampart of laterite stone, and the entire courtyard is paved. The temple comprises an open Sabhamandap (assembly hall), an Antaral (antechamber), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the two-storied Sabhamandap, there is a large idol of Nandi carved from a single stone, situated in the center. Stairs leading to the upper floor are located beside this Nandi. In the Antaral, there are small Shivlingas, Ganesha idols, as well as idols of Matsya, Varaha, Narasimha, and Kurma, among Lord Vishnu’s ten incarnations. An idol of Kartik Swami is also present here.

The main Garbhagriha has a height of approximately 55 feet up to its spire, and its construction is entirely carved out of rock. On the Lalatabimba (lintel) above the Garbhagriha entrance, there is an idol of Ganesha, and below the threshold, a Kirtimukha is carved. Here, sometimes, during the Abhishek (ritual bathing) of the Shivpindi, a sound resembling a Sarangi (stringed instrument) is heard, which is referred to as Shivnad or Simhanad. It is uncertain when it begins. It is said that Bajirao Peshwe II deliberately came here to hear the Shivnad, but he was unable to hear it. Inside the Garbhagriha, there is a magnificent Shivpindi, approximately six and a half feet tall. Streams of holy water continuously fall upon this Pindi from eleven silver Galatipatras (water dripping vessels). The rays of the setting sun fall upon this west-facing Pindi twice a year. The Pindi is worshipped thrice daily: in the morning, afternoon, and evening. If the temple premises become waterlogged during the monsoon and worship here is not possible, then a stone slab located some distance from the temple is worshipped. Devotees believe that this worship reaches the deity in the temple.

The plinth and outer walls of the temple feature various distinctive sculptures. Among these, the Gandabherunda (mythical bird) sculpture is particularly captivating. Two Gandabherundas are depicted holding tigers in their talons, and these tigers, in turn, hold elephants in their paws. This sculpture, depicting elephants held in the paws of tigers, is considered a symbol of power and might. Sculptures of wrestlers, elephants, peacocks, and pythons are also present here. A Gomukh (cow’s mouth spout) is also located on this plinth. The holy water (Tirtha) from the Abhishek performed on the Pindi in the sanctum flows out through it.

In the courtyard, to the left of the temple, stands an ancient Pimpal tree, and to the right, there are more than ten Samadhis (tombs). It is said that these Samadhis belong to individuals from the surrounding region who embraced Sanyasashram (the ascetic order). Some Samadhis also bear their names. Near these Samadhis, there is a large stone Deepmal (lamp tower). During the festivals of Mahashivratri and Tripurari Pournima celebrated at the temple, the deity’s Palkhi (palanquin) procession is taken out, and at that time, this Deepmal is illuminated with hundreds of lamps. Near this Deepmal, there is a small stage where villagers perform plays during festivals. A Dharmashala (pilgrim’s rest house) is located in the southwest corner of the temple.

To the north of the temple, there is a freshwater well that retains water even in summer. Adjacent to this well is a Vishnu temple. There are also Hanuman and Vitthal temples in the vicinity. Within the temple premises, there is a stone-built pond. This pond contains four sacred Tirthas (holy bathing places): Agnitirtha, Sarvapapamochakatirtha, Vyadhiharanatirtha, and Amritatirtha. These become visible when the water level recedes.

In this temple, which is the revered deity of Konkanastha Brahmins with surnames such as Sathe, Bhave, Namjoshi, Bhagwat, Sahasrabuddhe, Khare, Malshe, Khandekar, and Patwardhan, the Mahashivratri festival is celebrated for seven days with the presence of hundreds of devotees. During this festival, Kirtan (devotional singing), Mahaprasad (sacred food offering), Laghurudra (a specific Shiva worship ritual), Puja (worship), and the deity’s Chhabina (procession) are performed. During the festival on Tripurari Pournima, the deity’s Palkhi (palanquin) is taken in procession. On Mondays, Namajap (chanting of divine names) is performed throughout the day. The temple also experiences crowds on Shravani Mondays. Devotees can have Darshan (sacred viewing) of Amnayeshwar daily from 6 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4 PM to 8:30 PM.

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