Nilkantheshwar mandir is one of the famous ancient temple in Latur District. This temple is in Hemadpanthi Style and it is carved beautifully. This temple is situated in Nilanga town. Nilanga town is taluka place of nilanga tahsil.
Nilanga town is 50 km away from Latur. The area of Nilanga town is 1676 sq km. The total population of this town is 31660. Out of which 16472 are male and 15188 are female. The density of this town is 995 persons per square kilometer. The literacy rate of this town is 65.87.
The climate of this town is hot and dry. The average rainfall of the town was just 711.70 mm in 2001. The average temperature of this town is 28 *C. There is no land under forest in Nilanga tahsil. Nilanga town is in the west of the tahsil. Nilanga is a historical and ancient town in latur district. Where, the historical Nilkantheshwar Temple is situated.
In ancient times, Nilanga Town was known as Nirlingpur. Nirlingpur derives its name from the Temple of Lord Nilkhantshwara. Onward Nirlingpur has changed his name to Nilang. This temple is in Hemadpanthi style and was built during the time of 12th or 13th century. This temple is a rare specimen of the perfection of ancient art and architecture. Outside walls give the appearance of a pillar-like formation, having small niches fixed with excellently carved human, animal, and divine figurines. Every part of the temple, except the terrace, has unique patterns or designs. The main entrance and some pillars of the temple were ruined. So to maintain the antiquity of this temple, ruined parts have been repaired with white cement. And because of that, original carvings have been totally erased. Some carvings have been mutilated. In front of the temple, there is a 12.19 * 18.29 meters open courtyard paved with stony slabs. While entering through the main gate, there are two platforms. One is the sabhamandap hall, which is 2.787 square meters in area and supported by the side rows of pillars. Two rows are embedded in the side walls. The remaining two rows have seven pillars each. And the middle rows have six each. Pillars are the unique gift of carving and art. Each pillar is ornamented with rich and unique carvings. Such as beautiful images of the Gods and goddesses. Some pillars are not carved. The sabhamandap has two extensions, one each on either side forming two 0.557 sq mt chambers, The one to the left containing images of Lord Shankar and Parvati carved in single block of stone and the other to the right containing the idols of Lord Balaji and Vyonkoba with an artistically designed provably round it, carved in a single block of stone. In the first of these chambers, just bellow the pedestal, the principal deity is installed. There are so many images of Lord Kartik Swami, Nandi Ganpati, Hanuman, and Saraswati around the deity. There is an image of Mongoos and Lord Balaji. The image of Lord Balaji is four feet in height, it is armed with a discus and a shell. There are images of devotees depicted in the act of praying. The jambs of the entrances are exquisitely decorated with various types of Ganpati images. The breadth of the entrance is covered with small temple replicas bearing some divine images delicately engraved on the stone blocks similarly, the base of the entrance bears ingeniously carved divine figures admirably proportionate in measurement. The absolute symmetry of designs on both entrances depicts par excellence the architectural skill of the time when the temples were constructed. The Main Gabhara and Mandap walls have four niches in all, housing idols of Lord Laxmi, Ganpati, etc. Identical design and patterns of those on the chambers' entrances also decorate the main Gabhara entrance, with the only exception that here the designs are large in dimensions. it contains the Svayambhau Linga, held deeply in reverence by the people. There is a spacious terrace above,
Nilanga town is in the south of Latur City. The buses are available from Latur per 15 min. from the central bus stand of Latur city. These buses are called Janta Express. The private luxuries and Jeeps, taxis also convey the travelers from any part of the district to Nilanga. This town is well connected to all the towns in the Latur district. There is a lack of Railway facilities in this town. The buses charge Rs. 21 per person ot Nilanga from Latur. Nilanga town is located between the regions of Terna and the Manjra River. The rainfall is recorded here as 711.70 mm in 2001, which is 696.10 mm. The climate in this town is hot and dry in summer, and it is cool and dry in winter. But the climate in this town is very salubrious in the winter season. In the rainy season, the atmosphere in this town is cool and green, but because the town is not kept clean, the atmosphere here is very unhygienic in the rainy season.
Though the town has most of the tar roads but the conditions of most of the tar roads is not so good. They should have to be enlarged and maintained well, which will help to improve in transportation facilities in this town. Though the town is not well recognized in the field of education like Latur and Udgir towns, i.e., some schools and colleges in the town are providing good educational facilities to the people. Lal Bhadur Shastri Vidyalaya, Maharashtra Mahavidyalya, and Shivaji Mahavidyalya are the famous educational institutions that provide the facilities of secondary and higher education. There are 15 to 20 important, well-known computer centers in Nilanga town, which provide modern knowledge of computers in their training period.
The facilities of health are good in Nilanga town. There are three big hospitals near about 86 dispensaries and family planing centers in the town. Where the patients are receiving better treatment. The private hospitals are providing better facilities than the government hospital But the fees and charges by the private hospital are not appropriate for poor people. Therefore they likes to prefer government hospital rather than private hospitals.
The drinking water is supplied through taps. The municipal council has provided the borrowers of the important plates in the town. The water is also supplied by river infiltration gallery, but these means are not sufficient for fulfill the need of the town. The water is supplied by tankers in most of the parts of the town in summer. Water supply provided in temple is quite good and sufficient.
The sewage system is managed through open surface drains in Nilanga town but most of the parts of the town are full with filth & dirtiness. The campus around the temple should be kept clean, which will retain the beauty of temple. The open surface drains around this temple should be covered so that the filth & dirt will hot be spread around the temple.
The electricity supply is supplied through thermal power station to Nilanga town. Most of the electricity is used for domestic purpose and then for industry purpose. The roads and the important places in the town have tubes and marquries. Electricity supply is good in the temple. The temple is beautified by lighting on special occasions. At that time the temple bathes in the lighting. The electricity facilities are good in town.
The lodges are available for accommodation in the town. There are 7 big lodges and 28-32 small loges in town. For example, Amith Lodge, Shishkati Lodge, Vicaram Lodge, etc. The facilities in the lodges are better than those of Mathas and Dharmshala. The beds for sleeping, hot water, TV, and telephone facilities are provided in the lodges. The big lodges charge Rs. 250-350 per day per person. Whereas the smaller lodges charge Rs. 25-30 per day per person, the poor & economically backward class people prefer to live in Mathas, rather than the lodges. Some temples provide accommodation without any charge.
There are 120-130 hotels in Nilanga town. The meals of high quality are available in high-quality hotels, but the rates are also high. Medium-quality hotels are providing good meals at medium prices. There are some stalls where breakfast & tea are available.
The bus stand is not so big in Nilanga town. The campus of bus stand is full with filth and durth. The facility of parking is not available.
The atmosphere around the temple should be kept clean. The coconuts should be broken outside the temple. The electricity, the accommodation facilities, head the of improvement. The roads near the temple and in the town should be in large. There are two three reading rooms in the town. The number of books should be increased in it. The municipal council should develop new park for citizens & the travelers, which well help this place to develop as a tourist center.
