Ambreshwar Temple, Ambernath Review
Ambreshwar Temple is one of the oldest and sacred destinations in Maharashtra, India. Built around 1000 years ago, this temple is still intact, though additional restoration would be helpful. The temple is located in the Ambernath Town of Thane District. It seems this town got the name, ‘Ambernath' because of this temple.
The Shiv Linga is placed underground and one has to go down few steps to take the darshan. The passage is a bit narrow and steep. The Shiv Linga is placed right in the center of the sanctorum which is open above. The place looks quite and relaxing. Because of the narrow passage, there is no chance of this place being crowded, as not more than two to three people can get down the sanctorum at the same time.
The temple is been built in a Hemadpanthi style and was built by Chittaraja King of the Silhara Dynasty. But the local people talk about the Pandavas who it seems built the temple. It is been said that during their one year period of exile, Pandavas built this temple in just a night using one single big rock.
Though there is no proof related to this theory, still many devotees and even the priest tell you the same legendary tale. In fact it seems they even believe to have some secret passage that goes god knows where. The door seems to be shut, but there it seems is some mystery behind it.
The nearest airport for Ambernath would be Mumbai, i.e 60 km away approximately. But it is advisable to visit this place by trains, since Ambernath falls on the Central route and many trains ply regularly to Ambernath from Mumbai CST.
Fortunately, Ambernath trains have more frequency and there are fast trains available too, which reach in a one and a half hour or so. The rickshaws available outside the Ambernath east railway station take you to the temple. They charge you a nominal Rs. 20/- fare. As I said the distance from Ambernath station to the temple is just 2 km and hence it takes just a couple of minutes to reach this holy destination.
It is also been said that this Shiv Temple is been visited by Guru Nanak Sahib in the year 1415. How cool is that!
One of the major festival or event that is been celebrated is Mahashivratri. Mahashivratri falls in the month of February or in the first week of March. It is a big event for the people living in Ambernath. The roads are full of devotees, who visit their god to seek blessings. People line up in big queues for darshan.
It is very difficult to get darshan on that day. Preferably, locals visit their god early morning at around 4 or 5 to get darshan. The whole day is full of fun and frolic as various events are organized that day. The locals hold various stalls of water and food that is served complimentary for people who come from far away places to visit the shrine.
There are various food stalls, toy stalls and other game stalls for visitor's entertainment. The road is closed down for vehicles that particular day, as people throng up this place in thousands and more.
Apart from the temple, there is nothing much to see in Ambernath. But there are few other temples close by, like the Balaji Temple and the Ganapati Temple which are located at a walk able distance from this place.
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