Anchaleshwar Temple

Anchaleshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located adjacent to the historic Gond Fort in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. Dating from the 12th to 18th centuries, the complex includes a main Maratha-period temple and a pre-13th century phamsana-style structure featuring intricate carvings depicting legends from major Hindu texts. The site is situated on the banks of the Zarpat River and also houses the mausoleum of Gond King Veer Sah.

Visitors can explore a group of historic temples showcasing distinct architectural styles ranging from pre-13th century phamsana design to later Maratha artistry. The complex features ornate limestone carvings, panels illustrating epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and a four-tonne Nandi statue crafted from five metals. Adjacent to the shrine is a significant 17th-century royal mausoleum with intricate stone work. The site is located near the Zarpat River and the historic Gond Fort gates.

The temple complex was built between the 12th and 18th centuries, with the main structure dating to the Maratha period and a smaller temple predating the 13th century. The adjacent mausoleum was constructed in the early 17th century by Gond Queen Rani Hirai (ruled 1704–1719) in memory of her husband King Veer Sah, making it the only known queen-built royal mausoleum in Maharashtra. Some sources attribute the original temple construction to Gond King Dhundya Ram Sah in the 16th century.

The temple is a significant Shaivite pilgrimage site where the sacred toe of Lord Shiva is worshipped. Its architecture illustrates the synthesis of multiple Hindu traditions including Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, Surya, Ganesha, Dattatreya, and Vithala within a single Maratha-period structure. The water from the main Shiva linga is traditionally believed to possess medicinal properties. The site represents the cultural heritage of both the Gond dynasty and subsequent Maratha influence in the region.