Bhuleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated around 50 Kms away from Pune, near Yavat. The beautiful temple is within the fortifications of a watch-fort ‘Daulat-Mangal’, also called as ‘Mangalgarh’.
History & Mythology
Bhuleshwar temple has historical and mythological significance. On history front, the temple which is now a protected monument was built around 1230 A.D. by Yadava rulers. Though the main temple dates back to 8th century, rest of the temple campus was completed in 12th. It’s seems the temple built with the stones imported from other places as this black basalt stone is different from the brown basalt in the area. Temple faced invasion of muslims. Aurangzeb’s army destroyed the temple to mutilate the hinduism & hindu art. Later, the temple renovated during Chhatrapati Shivaji’s period. The ‘Gaimukha Buruj’ proves this fact. ‘Shahu Shree Brahmendra swami (Dhawadshikar)’ who was Guru of Peshwas, further renovated the temple in 18th century.
Myth says that Goddess Parvati danced here for Lord Shiva before they reached Kailash & got married. Temple is also popular about the folktale – when a bowl of sweets are offered to Shiva Linga, sweets disappear. Lord Bhuleshwar is worshipped widely in the region. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated here on large scale and fetches huge crowd of devotees.
Route, Food & Stay
Bhuleshwar is around 50 kms away from Pune and situated near Solapur Expressway. Just before ‘Yavat’ town, one need to take turn for the temple. After leaving the main highway, 8 kms village road with ghat section takes you to the temple. It is advised to carry your own food & water as there are no hotels around the temple. For food & stay, Yavat can be a place of option.
Sculptures & Art
Though most of the sculptures of the temple are destroyed by the invaders, the beauty of these stone arts still attractive and undamaged. Different types of ‘Pillar Lifting Gandharvas’, Lions Carving on the border of Pillars, Ashta Matrikas on walls, attractive Apsaras & Musicians and the temple corridor can be mentioned as best of the temple.
‘Ganesha in female form‘ can be treated as unique characteristic of Bhuleshwar Temple. ‘Ganeshayani’, ‘Ganeshwari’, ‘Lambodari’.. called by many names, Ganesha in female is a rare scene. A frame of Ganesha, Vishnu & Kartikeya in female form is amazing. All gods are seated in padmasana pose along with their mounts.
Read about my trip to ‘Bhuleshwar Temple’
Bhuleshwar Picture Gallery
- Dwarpal
- Shrine of Lord Shiva
- Lion carved pillar
- Dwarpal of the abode
- Shrine entrance
- Dwarpal of the abode
- Pillar lifting Gandharvas
- Pillar lifting Gandharvas
- Pillar lifting Gandharvas
- Pillar lifting Gandharvas
- Details of roof dome
- Inscription
- Ashta Matrika
- Ram-Bharat Milan
- Shiva Linga Pujan
- Remains of beautiful Apsara
- Gandarva
- Remains of beautiful Apsara
- Damaged but complete
- Musicians
- Isolated Art
- Apsara
- Ornamented Apsara
- Parvati in Sabhamandapa
- Dwarpal
- Ganikas with Dwarpal
- Dancing Apsara
- Darpana Sundari (Beauty with Mirror)
- Darpana Sundari (Beauty with Mirror)
- Darpana Sundari (Beauty with Mirror)
- Ganesha in female form
- Kartikeya in female form
- Vishnu in female form
- Ganeshwari (Ganesha in female form)
- Ganeshwari (Ganesha in female form)
- Deities
- Ashta Matrika
- Ashta Matrika
- Ashta Matrika – Brahmani
- Ashta Matrika – Vaishnavi
- Ashta Matrika – Chamunda
- Ashta Matrika – Maheshwari
- Garbha Gruha Entrance
- Vitthal-Rakhumai Temple
- Garbha Gruha Entrance (Closed)
- Vitthal-Rakhumai
- Corridor with ornamented pillars
- Sabha Mandap
- Vaishnavi
- Utsava Murti
- Kurma (Tortoise)
- Elephants on the border
- Yuddha Scene
- Temple Entrance
- Lord Ganesha
- Trishula
- Lord Hanuman
- Stairway to main temple
- Holy Tree
- Deep-Stambh
- Big Bell
- Shiva Linga
- Nagarkhana (Drum Chamber)
- Kamasutra Panel
- Kamasutra
- Kamasutra
- Niche Temple
- Canopies of Entrance
- Sunset at Bhuleshwar
- Dwarpals
- Somehow survived
- Dwarpals
2 Comments
Pingback: Pune to Pune..via Bhuleshwar (2014) | PuneToPune
Pingback: Daulat Mangal Fort – Pune – Maharashtra | PuneToPune