Mamleshwar Temple

Built in the 10th century, this ancient temple is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It is, in fact, a small complex of temples. In its heyday it must have had two large shrines and a number of smaller ones. Nowadays, only one large shrine seems to be open to worshipers.The carvings in this complex are well worth lingering over. There is a particularly impressive one of a god in a very martial stance.

From the image's conical crown many visitors believe that it depicts Vishnu, the Preserver, but this deity is not usually represented in a warlike stance which makes this sculpture slightly controversial. There are also some interesting smaller carvings on the door-posts of a minor shrine. This is a living temple and because it is a fairly small one, the rituals of worship, or pujas, can be observed from outside.