Amravati: Mahashivratri brings spotlight to the Anandeshwar Shiv temple at Lasur, a lesser-known 13th-century shrine in Daryapur tehsil of Amravati district that stands out for its austere beauty and engineering finesse. Set on the banks of the Purna River and perched near a small hill by the village, the basalt-rock temple is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monument of national importance. Built during the Yadava dynasty and attributed locally to Raja Ramchandra, the temple is celebrated for its mortarless Hemadpanthi construction, a style associated with Hemadpant. Interlocking stones hold the structure together without binding material, a technique credited for its survival across centuries. The plan is equally distinctive: a tridal, three-petal layout with three sanctums, departing from the more common single-sanctum design. A Nandi mandapa with finely carved pillars — elephants, chain motifs, and detailed ornamentation — leads into the sacred core, while a swarga mandap, or open hall, adds to the spatial drama.Spread across roughly 3,500 sq ft of stone construction, the temple’s pillars and sculptural detailing reflect Chalukya-influence. In the morning, the dark stone and measured light lend the complex a quiet, meditative character that devotees and visitors frequently cite as its defining atmosphere. The material itself remains a point of discussion: grey-black basalt is not found in the immediate vicinity, suggesting transport from elsewhere, while some scholars dispute the basalt attribution.Despite its cultural pull — positioned about 14 km from Daryapur and 35 km from Akola on the Daryapur–Akola road, and a familiar stop for travellers from Buldhana, Akola and Amravati — the site’s development has moved slowly. In March 2021, the state govt included Lasur among eight temples selected for restoration, conservation and development. A government resolution (GR) dated May 6, 2022 granted administrative approval of Rs14.75 crore for the first phase, within an overall estimate of Rs32.46 crore. The first phase covered conservation of the main temple and allied works in the complex, with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) submitting the proposal and later appointing a contractor on June 5, 2025, though work has yet to begin.MP Balwant Wankhade, then the Daryapur MLA who has pursued the project since 2021, has blamed MSRDC for not adhering to the terms and conditions of the approval, and has sought meetings to push for an early start. He had earlier urged the district administration to add basic visitor infrastructure — compound wall, a fitting entrance gate, drinking water, lavatories, and facilities such as a vipashyana centre and shantivan — while protecting the campus’s natural calm and the original structure. Lasur sarpanch Ranjana Jadhav and her husband Amol slammed MSRDC. “The temple is under ASI, a central govt agency, while the funds were sanctioned by the state govt. ASI stopped work when it started last July,” Amol Jadhav told TOI adding, “It is now learnt that the work will restart in eight days time.”In the absence of amenities, the burden of Mahashivratri arrangements falls on the village and the temple trust. Thousands arrive, and essentials are managed through local contributions, underscoring the gap between the temple’s national-importance status and the on-ground visitor experience. The development plan proposes works on adjacent e-class land and a compound wall to prevent encroachment, with ASI permissions sought under applicable rules.**Key features**– Main sanctum with a tridal, three-sanctum plan – Nandi mandapa with finely carved pillars featuring elephants and chain motifs – Hemadpanthi, mortarless construction using interlocking stones – Swarga mandap (open hall) within the complex layout – Grey-black stone material, with debate over sourcing and composition – ASI designation as a monument of national importance, reflecting Yadava-era artistry and engineering
