The Ambernath Shivalaya stands as a distinguished example of the architectural and cultural zenith achieved by the Silahara dynasty in medieval India. This temple exemplifies the dynasty’s integration of advanced architectural techniques, intricate sculptural artistry, and sophisticated iconography, while also reflecting the socio-economic prosperity of the period. Functioning as a living religious site, the temple continues to draw a significant number of pilgrims and remains central to various intangible cultural and ritual practices. The surrounding environment supports a range of religious, communal, and touristic activities, thereby reinforcing the temple's relevance in both historical and contemporary contexts. Given its multifaceted significance, the implementation of a comprehensive conservation management plan was imperative—not only to preserve the monument's tangible and intangible heritage but also to promote scholarly engagement and public awareness regarding its enduring historical, cultural, and architectural value.
The study further enables to identify issues effecting the significances the site carries thus providing a summary of the issues to the site and an approach to management. The findings and strategy of conservation applied in this study can also be applied to other such living temples. The findings may not fit exactly in to similar such cases but they will provide an approach and a methodology which can be applied to similar such living temple.
A sustainable management strategy for the living temples provided here , balances heritage conservation with community and religious practices. Key measures include integrating heritage by-laws into development regulations, preserving the site's natural and architectural features, improving infrastructure, managing crowds during festivals, and promoting community engagement through education. These efforts aim to safeguard both the tangible and intangible values of the temple while supporting its continued relevance and use.
Client: AMBERNATH SHIVALAYA, MUMBAI
Type: Management plan and Area action plan
