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 the Latur. The area of Nilanga town is 1676 sq km. Total population of this town is 31660. Out of which 16472 are male and 15188 are females. The density of this town is 995 persons per sq km. The literacy rate of this town is 65.87.
The climate of this town is hot and dry. Average rainfall of the town is 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 the ancient time Nilanga Town was Known as Nirlingpur. Nirlingpur derives his name from the Temple of Lord Nilkhantshwara. Onward Nirlingpur is changed his name as Nilang. This temple is in Hemadpanthi style and Built during the time of 12th or 13th century. This temple is a rare specimen of the perfection of the ancient art and architecture. Outside walls gives appearance of pillars like formation, having small niches fixed with excellently carved human animal and divine figurines. Every part of the temple except the terrace is the unique patterns or designs. 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 has been totally erased. Some carvings have been mutilated. In the front of the temple, there is a 12.19 * 18.29 meters open courtyard paved with stony slabs. While Entering through a main gate, there are two platforms. One is the sabhamandap hall, which is 2.787 sq meters in area and supported with the side rows of pillars. Two rows are embedded in the side walls. Remaining two rows have seven pillars each. And middle rows having 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 Gods and Goddess. Some pillars 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 of the pedestal the principal deity is installed thete are so many images of Lord Kartik Swami, Nandi Ganpati, Hanuman and Saraswati around the deity. there is a image of Mongoos and Lord Balaji. The image of Lord Balaji is four feet in hight, it is armed with a discus and shell. There are the images of devotees depicted in the act of praying. The jamys 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 bear ingeniously carved divine figured admiringly proportionate in measurement. The absolute symmetry of designs on both the entrances depict 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 design are large in dimensions. it contains the Svayambhau Linga held deeply in reverence by the people. Therre is a specious terrace above,
Nilanga town is in south of Latur City. The buses are available from latur per 15 min. from central bus stand.
