Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Khireshwar

Taluka: Junnar, District: Pune

Situated on the borders of Pune, Thane, and Ahmednagar districts, Khireshwar is the last village in Pune district. After descending the Malshej Ghat on the Kalyan-Nagar highway, there is a route leading towards Khireshwar village. Located on the banks of the Pimpalgaon Joga Dam, this village houses the ancient Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, which dates back approximately one thousand one hundred years. It is also well-known as the Khireshwar Temple. This temple complex is famous for the alleviation of Pitru Dosha.

In the tenth century, King Zanj of the Shilahara dynasty was a supreme devotee of Lord Mahadev. Like the twelve Jyotirlingas, he had twelve Mahadev temples built across his kingdom along the banks of the Godavari and Bhima rivers. Among them, five temples are in Nashik district, five in Pune district, and two in Ahmednagar district, all built in the same architectural style. The Nageshwar Mahadev Temple in Khireshwar is one of these. All these temples are fine masterpieces of architecture. This is corroborated by the mention of these twelve temples in a copper plate discovered at Panhale in the Konkan region.

To reach the temple from the main road, one has to cross a small river. Normally, the water level in this river is one to two feet, but during the monsoon season, one has to wade through waist-deep water. Right opposite this riverbed stands this beautiful temple of Nageshwar Mahadev. Although the temple is somewhat small, the sculptural beauty within it is distinctive.

The temple architecture consists of an Antarala (ante-chamber) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In front of the temple entrance, the stone Nandi features ornate craftsmanship. Right beside it lies an ancient Ganesha idol. In addition to these, there are two Viragals. (A Viragal is a triangular stone carved with the sculpted story of brave warriors who lost their lives while defending their village and cows.) A special feature of this temple is the large sculpture of Sheshashayi Vishnu carved in a comfortable seated posture (Sukhasana) on the door lintel. In this sculpture, which is over one meter in length, Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are near the head of Lord Vishnu, while Goddess Lakshmi is near His feet. On the ceiling of the Antarala, artistic use of intricate carvings and geometric pillars has been made within sixteen equilateral square sculptural panels. Sculpted images of deities such as Ganesha and his consort with their mouse mount, Shiva and Parvati with their bull mount, Brahma and Saraswati with their swan mount, Skanda with his peacock mount, Kubera and his consort with their human mount, and Madana and Rati with their makara mount can be seen across these panels. The scene depicted through these sculptures portrays the full court of Sheshashayi Vishnu attended by various gods and goddesses.

Inside the Garbhagriha lies a Shiva Lingam made of black stone, encircled by a Panchaloha (five-metal) serpent deity. The inner dome-shaped section of the sanctum’s ceiling is adorned with numerous Kirtimukhas. In a niche on the back wall of the sanctum is an idol of a traveling deity. Additionally, there are Devakoshtakas (architectural niches) on the outer walls of the temple. An inscription is carved onto one of the walls. Furthermore, many ancient stone idols and Shiva Lingas can be seen around the temple complex.

The river at the source of which the Khireshwar Temple is situated was formerly named Pushpavati, and it is presently known as the Kalu River. A short distance behind the temple are some caves. In front of those caves are water cisterns about ten feet deep, making it impossible to directly approach and view the caves. Although the temple has become somewhat dilapidated due to a lack of restoration, many of the sculptures here still retain their beauty.


Useful Information:

• One hundred twenty-five kilometers from Pune and twenty-seven kilometers from Junnar
• A river must be crossed along the route
• Visiting this place during heavy monsoon days should be avoided
• A ten-minute walk from the main road
• No accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the area