It was a dull Saturday afternoon! I was lying on a bed to keep myself away from keyboards of the laptop. A typical routines of days do not keep me consistent. What to do?.. well! what else can be another answer to such question – a long ride on my bike 🙂
Trip Period: 29th Nov.2014
Approx. Distance (To & From): 110 Kms
Motor-Bike : Bajaj Pulsar (150cc)
Jumped out of the bed, wore my jacket, took the bag with camera & water bottles..I was all set for a break from routine life. After long time (years), my favourite bike MH12 DB 4813 was on highway. Without any planning, I marched towards Solapur highway. My first break was at Theur phata where I decided about my destination – Bhuleshwar Temple. Only problem was the time. Afternoon was almost done and I was bit worried as low light could have caused a problem in taking snaps.
Area till Yavat, is blessed with nature and flourished with lush green farms. Sugarcane is one of the main crop here with a presence of many Sugar-Mills at Theur, Yavat & so on. I could see many farmers towing the sugarcane carts to these mills, one of the common scene on this way. Though many farmers now use tractors, trucks etc, some still do it with traditional bullock-carts. Row of such loaded bullock-carts looks fantastic. I know..soon this scene will be a history in coming modern days.
After taking right for Bhuleshwar (just before Yavat town), real village road feel started. Though the road wasn’t that great but was cool with its turns, villages and farms around. Ghat section just before the Daulat-Mangal Fort is awesome and almost goes through a small jungle. I relaxed on the top of the ghat for almost 20 minutes. First view of Bhuleshwar temple with sun in the open sky, deep ghat section and a plateau..wow! I must say that the TV tower placed near the temple not only spoiling the whole ambiance but also acting as a bad spot in the snaps.
Read more about Daulat Mangal Fort
Placed on the top of a hill & within the fortifications of Daulat-Mangal fort, the temple looks mighty with 3 shikharas. Road takes you till the temple with an option of staircases. Parked the bike and took the offerings for Lord Shiva. While taking the snap of the temple, I met with some of relatives.. great surprise at a remote place like this 🙂 After helping them in taking their group photos, I focused back on the temple.
Entrance of the temple is unlike other hindu temples. Small entry in big hall takes you to the Lord Hanuman’s idol where stairway is placed to take you up on the first floor of the temple. Once you climb these 5-6 stairs, you enter into a dark but calm place of divinity. The entire floor is covered and closed with few options for light, for it’s safety. Heartbreaks while looking at those damaged, destroyed sculptures.. Aurangzeb was reason for the destruction because of his want to mutilate Hinduism & hindu arts. Still these stone miracles are looking beautiful.
Main shrine of Lord Shiva was about to close, I was lucky enough to get darshan & offer my prayer. The Shiva Linga is called as Bhuleshwar! Mythology says that Goddess Parvati danced for Lord Shiva at this holy place before they to Kailash & got married. Looking at the beauty of the place, you may feel the story as truth!
I was bit late, sun was setting down along with his light but still I tried to capture some amazing sights with my point & shoot Nikon.
Temple walls, pillars, roofs..all are greatly ornamented with sculptures depicting various stories from Puranas and great epics. Among all scene of Ram-Bharat Milap (meeting), Ashtamatrikas, pillar lifting gandharvas etcs are just awesome. Remains of the destroyed idols look mysteriously beautiful. Various internal gates, corridors and pradakshina way keep you engaged.
I was alone in that dark temple but was not lonely for sure. All these sculptures were making me happier, amazed and kept me busy. Among many of mini temples, Vitthal-Rakhumai temple gave me pleasant surprise.
Ganesha, Vishnu & Kartikeya in female forms – is the best mention of this temple. Three gods are seated in padmasana along with their ayudhas (armours) and mounts like Ganesha with Mushaka (mouse), Vishnu with Garuda (eagle) and Kartikeya with Mayura (peacock).
I never saw Ganesha in female form in my entire life. ‘Ganeshwari’, ‘Lambodari’, ‘Ganeshayani’… many names of female ganesha. Amazing.. isn’t it!
The temple presents many such examples of amazing art work and ideas from mythology.
Read more about Bhuleshwar Temple
With satisfied appetite, I came out of main abode. A big metal bell is placed in front of the entrance. On the right side of the temple, stairs are available to go up to next level where Nagarkhana (drum chamber) and further till shikharas of the temple. I found a typical sculpture showing Kamasutra poses. Shiva temple is believed to be incomplete without Kama Sutra’s presence. A tall Deep-stambh (lamp post), a big tree and some many small temples make the surrounding busy.
The day had completed his duty and it was time for shift change. I started the engine and was on my way back with silent music in ears. In that relax mood, I observed the ruins of the fort, destroyed villages along with latest constructions around. The area is kind of isolated and far away from human traffic.
On the way, I found a friend to whom I gave lift till Yavat. After complaining lot about those who have not gave him lift, Dutta – a poor guy from Yavat – started telling me his story. His marriage was on the next day but he came alone for Bhuleshwar’s darshan. He had promised the lord in his earlier visit about the darshan once his marriage finalized. He accomplished his promise. Wow.. innocent beliefs create an intangible bridge between devotee and his god!
I reached back at 8 pm with energized body and relaxed mind 🙂