Places of interest
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Brahma temple[edit]
Main article: Brahma Temple, Khedbrahma
Idol of Brahma in Temple
Brahma Vav
Brahma temple was built in third quarter of the 11th century during reign of Chaulukya king Karna, according to historian M. A. Dhaky. The spire, mandapa (dome) and doorway must have been destroyed which are rebuilt later in bricks and mortar. It is built of white sandstone and cement-covered bricks.
The sanctum is navaratha in anga and hastangula in plan and is of fully decorated class. Its pitha (base), the vedibandha and the mandovara (middle part of the wall) is resemble to the temple at Sunak. The lower part of main shrine is intact and is filled with images of gods, goddesses and apsaras. These images in jangha portion are poorly retouched. The chauri-bearers on nandika are elegantly carved which are common in 11th century temples. The phansana roof resembles Vimala Vasahi temple and is crowned with a ghanta. There are images of Brahma in the niches on the three sides.
Brahma stepwell[edit]
Main article: Brahma Vav
There is a stepwell, situated opposite the Brahma temple, known as Brahma Vav. It is constructed in east-west direction; the entrance is in the east and the well is in the west. The stepwell becomes narrower as one goes downwards and to the well. It has four kuta (pavilion-towers) where fourth is attached to the well. It had row of 27 miniature shrines as an ornamentation in the wall of shaft of the stepwell which suggests it was built in 14th century. There is no inscription in the stepwell to ascertain its age.
Ambika temple[edit]
Ambika Temple
Situated in north-east of the town, the Ambika temple was originally built in the early 11th century and renovated many time subsequently. It is also known as Nana Ambaji to distinguish it from Arasur Ambaji. The older parts of the modern temple belong to the 17th century. The temple is simple rectangular chamber with mukhamandapa in front. The base has an unusually thick jadyakumbha, a karnika and a plain pattika. It is followed by a vedibandha and a plain mandovara relieved by three niches, now empty. The temple is roofed by phansana topped by three ghanatas in a row, the form only seen in 11th century. The mukhamandapa has usual moulding of mattavarana. The square of temple was known as Chachar Chowk. The temple is north-facing. The older idols in the temple complex include Ganesha idol on the entrance and Hanuman and Kal Bhairava idols. Of Brahmani, Sarasvati, Tripurasundari idols; the first two were originally found during excavation for construction of the main entrance or the rest house.
Every year many pilgrims come to Ambika temple especially during September–October due to Bhadarvi Purnima festival. There are fairs organised on full moon days in Hindu calendar months of Kartika, Chaitra and Bhadrapada. Pushya Purnima (full moon day of February–March) is important because it is considered as a foundation day (Pragatya Divas) of the temple.
Bhrigurishi Ashram[edit]
There is also the Bhrigurishi ashram and a Bhrigunath Mahadev temple which is associated with folklores and Puranic stories. It is located in southeast of the town, on the south bank of the river and near the hillock.
According to the Brahmakshetra Mahatmaya, the temple was built by Bhrigu, Brahma's son who was once sent by the seers, rishi, to find out who was the noblest of the Hindu trinity. Insulting Brahma and Rudra, they got angry and threatened to punish him. Seeking out Vishnu, Bhrigu was bold enough to place his foot on the god's chest. Instead of resenting, the kindly god asked the seer's pardon for the hardness of his breast. Bhrigu returned and praised Vishnu as the noblest of the gods. To wipe out the sin of insulting the gods, Bhrigu came to Brahma Kshetra, bathed in the Hiranyaksh, made his hermitage the seat of a Shiva, and performed such rigid austerities, that Shiva was pleased and freed him from his sin.
Kshirjamba Mahalaxmi temple[edit]
The temple dedicated to Kshirjamba or Kshetramba is located on the hill near the Bhrigurishi Ashram.
According to the Brahmakshetra Mahatmaya or Brahma Purana legend, Kshirja was the family goddess of people created during the yajna of Brahma.
Pakshindra Mahadev temple[edit]
Near the confluence of rivers, on the north bank opposite the Bhrigurishi Ashram, there is an old Pankhanath or Pankheshwar or Pakshindra Mahadev temple dedicated to Shiva. It is west-facing plain simple temple which is restored several times. In the back-niche of mandovara of temple, there is a figure of Nataraja (Shivatandav) with eight hands which helps in deciding the dating of the temple. There is also one more Shiva figure in other form. The temple belongs to c. 11th century, built during reign of Bhima I of Chaulukya dynasty, contemporary of Sun Temple, Modhera. In the sanctum, there is a small protuberance instead of an elaborate lingam which is considered swayambhu (self-existent) by the devotees.
According to the legend mentioned in Brahmakshetra Mahatmaya, the serpent king Pingal Nag had enmity towards the Garuda. He had taken a form of Brahmin to escape from the Garuda and hid in Brahmakshetra. He exposed his true form to his Brahmin wife on occasion of Nag Panchami. The Garuda learned of it and they fought each other. The wing of the Garuda was broken off in the battle and the temple was erected at the place of the battle to commemorate it and named Pankhanath.
Other temples[edit]
Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev Temple
Hatakeshwar Hanuman temple located in old town is considered old. Near the Brahma stepwell, there is a Nilkanth Mahadev temple. There is an inscription dated Samvat 1912 about renovation of earlier temple. Kashi Vishvanath Mahadev temple is situated on the south bank of the river which are popular locally. Mahavira Jain temple, situated in northern part of town, was almost 500 years old. The central catechu coloured idol of Mahavira is 90 cm in height and in Padmasana position.
