Ancient Palasnath Temple near Pune

Palasnath Temple is located in the backwater of Ujjani Dam, which is 120 km from Pune. Ujjani Dam is a dam built on Bhima River near Ujjani village of Madha Tehshil in Solapur district of Maharashtra.  The temple is submerged in Ujjani dam backwater and it can be visited only during summer or in case of heavy drought. 

Ancient Palasnath(Palasdeo) Temple

How to reach Palasnath Temple from Pune?

Drive through Solapur Highway - Cross Bhigwan - After a few kms, there is Palasdev village arch on left - Take a left in Village - Follow the road and park your vehicle. You may have to take a small boat ride to cross the backwater and Boats are available when the temple is accessible.

Drive through Solapur Highway - Cross Bhigwan - Cross Dalaj (both No. 1 and No. 2) -  Reach to Kalewadi No. 1 and take left  - drive through backwater towards temple. 

This route is preferred during May when there is no water  in the dam in this area. But before driving through this area please check if it is completely dry. 

The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva as Palasnath and it is situated near Palasdeo village. The temple has 1000-year-old history and its a masterpiece of architectural style. This ancient structure created in a Hemadpanthi style in 11th century, was built by Chalukya Kings.  The temple has beautiful stone carvings and temple structure is very similar to Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur, Sangameshwar temple and Bhuleshwar temple near Pune.  

The temple is west facing and there is Lord Hanuman idol kept at the entrance of main temple (Garbhgruh - inner room where the idol is kept).

Lord Hanuman

Way to enter Mandap

Palasnath Temple

There is no Shivpindi(Shivlinga idol) in the temple, it was relocated in the village and new temple was built there during Ujjani Dam construction. 

Entrance of Garbhgruh

Garbhgruh

As per the pillar structure, temple was built under Yadav era. 

Pillar

Pillars

Carving on the pillar

You can see the beautiful carving on the walls.

Carving on the wall

Ceiling

Due to the water of the dam, the temple has been damaged a lot but still this temple in the water looks very attractive. If you look closely, you can see that the temple has been renovated during different times, during any of the renovation the 'Sharbh Shilp' sculpture made in limestone is placed there. 

The kalasa of the temple is also seen to have been renovated and newly built and so looks different than base temple. 

Sharbh Shilp

Kalas

Palasnath temple is known for its serene ambiance and intricate carvings. This temple is also mentioned in Dnyaneshwari, is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita written by the Sant Dnyaneshwar in 1290. 

The backwaters of Ujjain Dam is also famous for bird watching, it is home to various migratory birds such as the Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Bar Headed Goose, Collared Pratincole, and the Osprey, bird of prey. Bhigwan is also home to the many birds, one can find more than 230 species of birds here.

We took blessing of Siddhivinayak from Siddhetek village.  It is third Ganapati from Ashtavinayak. After darshan we had lunch at Siddhivinayk hotel, its a small shack in which they serve you maharatrian thali which includes Pithale, Bhakri, Batata Rassa, Thecha, Pickle and Dal Rice at Rs.150. Food was very tasty. There are many such hotel close to bank of Bhima river, and all of those nearly serve same menu.

We reached home around 5pm. 

Maharashtrian Veg Thali

Quick trip to Bhuleshwar Temple, Pune

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.

Highlights - 

Trip duration - 1 day (7 January 2024)

Distance travelled - 120Km

Budget - 2K

Visit to sacred Narsobawadi and Khidrapur near Kolhapur

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.

Kopeshwar Temple, Khidrapur