Bhuleshwar temple is an ancient temple devoted to Lord Shiva in Malshiras, Maharashtra. It is about 55 km away from Pune. It is offbeat template built on the top of a small hillock. The temple is said to have been built around 1230 A.D. by the Yadava ruler King Krishnadevray.
Bhuleshwar has a mythological & historical significance. Originally, it was a fort which was called as 'Mangalgadh', may be build to keep a watch on things going on around.
There is clear evidence for the reconstruction of the temple in a later period. It is said that the Mughal rulers destroyed parts of the temple, and the Marathas rebuilt it in the 17th century.
Bhuleshwar Temple near Pune
This is my second visit to the temple, I visited it in June 2019. This time it was our sudden plan to visit the temple. We started our journey around 2pm from Pune and reached the destination around around 4pm.
We followed below route -
Pune - Hadapsar - Loni Kalbhor - Urali Kanchan - Yavat (Right turn to Bhuleshwar) - Bhuleshwar Temple
Entrance
Heavy Brass Bell at entrance
My eyes were shined after seeing the first glimpse of grand and magnificent structure of the temple.
Bhuleshwar Shiva Temple is known for its exotic architecture. It is rich with sculptures, carvings, & idols, there is intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings. Every sculpture in this exquisitely decorated monument tells a story.
Pillar
Black Basalt rock has been used for temple construction. The original temple vividly displays these temple sections with its own artistic features. It creates a calming ambience inside, even during the hot summers.
Entrance to the main temple
The Shivalinga is in the center of the sanctum sanctorum, guarded by the majestic Nandi Bull.
The temple also houses idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. Bhuleshwar Temple has an idol of Ganesha, too, in female attire. It’s known as Ganeshwari, Lambodari or Ganeshyani.
Window
Carvings at Pradakshina Path
Bhuleshwar temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Maharashtra. You can visit Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary which is 25km from Bhuleshwar, we missed it due to lack of time.
While returning we came from Saswad and reached home around 7.30pm.
Narsobawadi is a holy place situated on the sacred confluence of the two rivers, Krishna and Panchaganga. Its is also known as Nrusinhwadi, gets its name from the presence of 'Shri Nrusinha Saraswati', the Purna Avatar of Lord Dattatreya. Shri Nrusinha saraswati lived in this vicinity that is packed with Audumber trees for a long duration of 12 years and he prosper this region. Nrusinhawadi is a capital place for the Datta devotees.
We entered the temple to witness the Paduka, that were established by Swami Here in the temple. The Swayambhu Paduka is worshipped here daily without fail. The entire place was giving a soothing effect and the calm environment of the temple were ecstatic.
We spent some time around the temple and nearby areas at the line of shops, small hotels, small eateries and hawkers. One thing you should not miss when you are at Narsobawadi and that is Basundi(Rabdi). You will get very thick and good quality basundi and varieties of pedha and barfi there.
One more special sweet is "Kardant" which is made up of dry fruits and coconut, you must try this. We enjoyed shopping of all these at Bahulekar's shop and Basundi at Krushnai sweets.
After Darshan and shopping we went at Soman Bhojanalay for lunch as I heard their name for good food.
Just 18 km away from Wadi, an ancient temple of Kopeshwar, lord Shiva is hidden in the Khidrapur adjacent to Krishna river on the Maharashtra Karnataka border. It was built in the 12th century by Shilahara king Gandaraditya. The Kopeshwar temple was targeted during the Deccan campaign by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, just like several other temples of Maharashtra. The Mughals have broken and mutilated several beautiful parts of the temple, but they were unsuccessful in destroying it completely.
Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur
This temple has very stunning architecture and as per Shilpa Shastra, this is probably the richest temple in Maharashtra. The stone used in this temple is hard basalt rock, that is found in the Sahyadri range of mountains, the closest point being 60 km away. So, the stone must have been ported here via Panchganga and Krishna rivers.
Sculpted Walls (Outside)
This temple is famous for unique open pillared mantapa of 12 pillars in which all pillars resembles an hour a clock. This has very beautiful sculpted Walls where we can see lot of elephant carvings at the base of the temple. The focus is on the Dravida and Nagara temple styles and a third hybrid form of shikhara that developed in the Deccan.
Main Temple (Outside)
Flowers Carved Window
Steps
Vishnu carved on the wall
History of Kopeshwar Temple -
Accordingly to Sanatan Dharma, every story eventually goes back to the story of Sati’s self-immolation at her father Daksha’s Yagya. After Sati kills herself, Shiva is angry. Vishnu steps in to pacify his anger. It is at that moment that this temple freezes in time. Since Shiva is angry he gets the name Kopeshwar. Kopa means anger in Sanskrit. Vishnu is present here as the second linga to pacify Shiva.
Swarg Mandap is the first part of the temple that you see once you step in. It is detached from the main temple by a very small margin. The circular structure of Swarg Mandap is supported by 48 pillars, each of which is beautifully carved. Seen from the outside, you can see the impression of an inverted lotus on the roof. There are 12 horizontal spokes coming out on the ceiling, both inside and outside the structure.
Swarg Mandap
Geometric Patterns on Pillars
I stepped in to see the temple shimmering in the morning rays of the sun. I hurriedly stepped into the Swarg Mandap for this is the most unique architectural feature of this temple. And stood there awestruck by what I saw. No matter how many images or videos you see, there is nothing like standing on the large circular stone disc surrounded by 48 carved pillars with an opening to the sky.
We standing at Swarg Mandap
This temple recently came into the limelight when the films such as Katyar Kaljat Ghusali, Sarsenapati Hambirrao were shot in the temple.
