One of the must visit temples in Nashik, SundarNarayan Temple is located in Panchavati area of Nashik in Maharastra.
It is said that the Sundar Narayan temple was built by the Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in the year 1756. Though the legend behind this temple is related to lord Vishnu.
The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu/ The idol of Goddess Shri Lakshmi and Goddess Shri Saraswathi are also placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. So the main deity is Lord Vishnu ( also called lord Narayan). To the left and right are Shri Lakshmi and Shri Saraswathi respectively.
Shri SundarNarayan Temple is known for its fine stone carvings. Fine designs are carved on the stones of the temple.
There is a pond called Badarika Sangam along the road that leads to the Godavari river. The king of Devgiri is reported to have bathed and performed rituals in this pond.
This pond is also mentioned in the sacred text Dyaneshwari.
This temple is notable for being constructed at such an angle that, on March 21, the rising Sun’s rays fall directly upon the idols.
There are small carvings of Lord Hanuman, Narayana and Indira on the walls of the temple.
The Sundarnarayan temple is east facing and has three porches with balcony seating, lobed arches and globular domes.
The temple presents imposing architecture especially the vaulted niche, which strikes a chord with the Mughal sculpture.
The temple is built in the Nagar Shaili or civil style, and its designs are comparable to those of other temples in the Gujarat region. According to the archaeological agency, the temple exhibits 18th-century Muslim and Hindu architectural fusion.
Legend behind Shri Sundarnarayan temple
Its a Lord Vishnu’s temple and the reason for the name “Sunder” is that, he once became ugly by the curse given by Jalandar’s (wicked demon) wife Vrinda .
Due to this curse, Lord Vishnu turned black and ugly.
He then took bath in river Godavari and thus was relieved from the curse. Hence Lord Vishnu is called as Shri Sundar Narayan here.
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