Mankeshwar temple, Zodage

Nashik District of Maharashtra, India. Zodage is located 128Km from Nashik.^[1]

Chalukya suzerainty.^[2]

Ashtadikpal (the lords of the eight directions), Bhairav and Vishnu, also add to the beauty of the temple. The exterior of the temple is adorned with beauties. Musician, Darpana, Nupurpadika, Matrika, Frog (scared of frogs), Shatrumardini, Sword-wielding Maneka, Woman and scorpion, Dancer Lady, Sursundari disturbed by hoarseness The temple is adorned with beauties such as a beautician, a lady removing thorns from legs, a Kamayani, a writer, a lady spy with a snake in her hand, Lady playing conch shells and lady leaving her hair loose. The peak is characterized by a terrestrial style with a replica of small peaks, it is a typical charascteristic of Bhumij style of architecture. The face of the man in the circle at the center of the diamond head is called Kirtimukh. The temple is adorned with sixteen such Kirtimukhas. On the front side of the temple, one above the other Kirtimukh dignifies the distinctiveness of the temple. In front of the temple is another Bhumij style ruined temple. It is also called the Saraswati Temple. The idol in the temple is missing. There is a pond across the highway in front of the temple. There is an inscription about the construction of the pond by a local merchant.^[3]