Approximately 1 km north of Pandare village is an east-facing, old dilapidated Śiva temple in a sugarcane field probably from the 15th century CE. While travelling from Baramati-Neera road towards Mudhale-Dhakale, the temple can be seen on the right over a short distance. The temple has no priest, but the resident, Mr. Bankar, handles daily worship rituals. According to legend, gold is hidden beneath the garbhagṛha of this temple. As per local legends, some thieves once tried to steal the wealth but were stopped by a giant snake at the entrance of the antarāḷa. 

Śiva temple

Ruined Architecture: Unfortunately, the temple has fallen into a state of disrepair, and only portions of the antarāḷa and garbhagṛha are arranged by stacking stones on each other. Due to the lack of a layer of soil or lime, the temple is incomplete, and water leaks into it during the monsoon season. Nevertheless, the temple is beautiful in its original form. Nandī is placed in the open area in front of the temple. The antarāḷa measures 166cm in length and 198cm in width, and the garbhagṛha is typically the same size. Inside the garbhagṛha, there is a beautiful śivaliṅga, while the sculpture of Gaṇeśa is situated on the lalāṭa of the garbhagṛha doorway.

Nandī and vīragaḷas

Vīragaḷas: In front of the temple are five vīragaḷas arranged from north to south. The first vīragaḷa is 154cm high and 44cm wide, with four sections: the lowest section shows the warrior lying down, the sectio above its shows him fighting on a horse getting slained on the battlefield, the second section shows the Vīra with four apsarās, while the highest section depicts him attaining the Kailāsa. A dhvaja stambha and a priest are also shown. The next three vīragaḷas are similar, with vīragaḷa no. two measuring 149cm in height and 50cm in width and resembling a cattle-attack type. The third vīragaḷa measures 138cm x 44cm, and its content is similar to the first vīragaḷa. The lower portion of the fourth vīragaḷa is broken, and its content also corresponds to the first and third vīragaḷas. The fifth vīragaḷa is weathered. In addition to the vīragaḷas, there is an image of a deity, a nāga sculpture, a mutilated Nandī, and a pillar.

Vīragaḷas

Vīragaḷas

Concluding Remarks: Overall, the temple architecture in and around Pandare village suggests that this temple and the vīragaḷas date back to the 15th century CE. We hope the villagers don't destroy this temple and try to build a new one on it.