The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is situated amidst dense vegetation, among the foothills of the Aravalli Range, inside the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The temple built in sandstone stands out in the greenery spread across the plains.
Seen here are remains of two temples from the Sariska Forest Reserve. The temple on the left is a restored single shrine that had a Latina Nagara variety shikhara (superstructure). What remains of the temple on the right is only its huge plinths with geometric patterns; above these plinths, there are remnants of pillars.
This is a view of the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple seen from its southeastern corner. Also pictured here are the southern and eastern shrines of the temple as seen from the rear. The western side of the temple is its principal entrance, and the eastern shrine has a partially preserved and conserved shrine.
This interesting fragment depicts a senior ascetic, likely a Shaiva ascetic, positioned in the extreme right corner, delivering a sermon to a lady. To his left, there appears to be his disciple showing reverence to his guru. Following them, there is a series of garland bearers and musicians facing the venerable guru. Despite some damage to the fragment, it appears that the guru is not a simple human but a divine being with four arms. He seems to be holding a snake and trident in his upper two hands. It cannot be ascertained whether the figure is Shiva delivering a sermon to a lady, possibly Parvati, or if he is Lakulisha.
The pillars in the mandapa of the Harshnath Temple lack homogeneity and may have been a later replacement. One of them is enriched with beautiful images of apsaras and female deities like Parvati, as seen in this image, within the niches of the pillar. Under these pillar niches are panels depicting musicians, dancers, celestial beings, deities such as Ganesha and ascetics. These Shaiva ascetics align with the overall Shaiva theme of the temple. The image also depicts an ascetic worshipping the shivalinga. A four-armed Parvati is depicted holding a kamaṇdalu and mala in her lower hands and likely flowers in the upper two hands. Flanking her on both sides are attendant dwarfs. Below this scene, an ascetic with long matted hairs is shown in deep adoration to Shiva.
Despite the predominantly Shaiva atmosphere of the Harshnath Temple Complex, there were once multiple Vaishnava temples on the hill. This particular image of Shesashayi Vishnu, or Vishnu reclining on the serpent. It was obtained from Harsha Hill and is now housed in the Government Museum, Sikar. Lord Shesa, likely served as the main cultic image inside a now lost Vaishnava shrine. Atop the image are representations of the nine planets, while Vishnu is attended to by Lakshmi at his feet. Three ayudhapurusa, personification of his weapons, are placed behind him. The reclining Vishnu adheres to standard iconography, wearing a kirita-mukuta, a malavanamala and four arms. In his upper left hand, he holds a chakra, while his upper right hand wields a mace, which also supports his head. His lower right-hand holds a flower, while the left lower hand is broken.
Image courtesy: The Government Museum, Sikar
The ceiling beam in the sanctum depicts an array of warriors marching towards the right on its side, while the lower face of the beam is richly carved with vegetation foliage.
A four-armed Vishnu is depicted seated in the lalitasana posture. He carries a mace and a chakra in his upper right and left hands, respectively, while the lower right and left hands hold a mala and possibly a citron, respectively.