Pimple Jagtap is a village located on the banks of a stream, situated 37 km away from Pune and just 7 km from Bhima Koregaon. The village is home to several families with the surname Jagtāp, who have been the Pāṭīlkī (headmanships) of the village for years, hence the suffix ‘Jagtāp’ in the village's name. The village boasts several temples, including the Dharmanātha temple, Mahādeva temple, Viṭṭhala temple, Gaṇeśa temple, Mārutī temple, Datta temple, and bāravas-wells. The Dharmanāth temple is the largest and oldest among them.

The Dharmanātha Temple.

Dharmanāth temple: The Dharmanātha Temple, built in 1779 CE, holds a central position in Pimple Jagtap, near the Jagtāp-Pāṭīl fortress. Dedicated to Dharmanātha, a revered ascetic of the Nātha pantha order, the temple exudes an aura of spiritual significance. A fencing wall encloses the temple, and its large entrance lies to the east.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a sculpture of a tiger, the vehicle of Dharmanātha. The temple itself stands on a high platform, accessible by climbing four steps that lead to the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The facade of the sabhāmaṇḍapa features three exquisite arches flanked by two carved śarabhas. Above these arches, one notices intricate sculptures—two Nāth-yogīs and two warriors riding elephants. Situated between the elephants is a sculpture of what seems to be a four-handed Viṣṇu, armed with a sword, chakra, conch, and mace. Above these figures, one can find more sculptures of Nāth-yogīs, with the yogī in the center positioned between two tigers. This central figure is likely a representation of Dharmanātha himself.

Dharmanātha

Inscription: The roof of the sabhāmaṇḍapa tapers upwards, with two arches on each side. The temple also has an additional but smaller maṇḍapa, with two doors on each side and three arches on its facade, with an inscription engraved on it.

Reading of the inscription:

|| Śrī ||

|| Śrī Darmarājśrīnce caraṇa arpana Rāghojī bīna R ||

|| tnojī Pāṭīla Jagtāpa Makadama Mauje Pīṃpale tarfa

Cakana prāntī Śrīmati Godābāī Gāīkwāḍa yāñcā

|| Suta Sayājirāva bīna Govīndrāva Gāīkwāḍa te ||

|| Nā sadās pelesa manerṣā śahara kasabe Baḍode ||

|| Bhādrapada 5 Śeke 1706 (1701 pāhije) Vīkārīnāma Saṃ ||

||| vansare (adhika) Śrāvaṇa māse sukla pakṣe 13 īndvāsare ||

Translation: Raghoji bina Ratnoji Jagtap Patil, residents of Pimple village in Chakan tarfa and Sayajirao bina Govindrao Gaikwad, son of Śrīmatī Godabai Gaikwad ‘Sadas Palace’ Manresha city, kasabā Badoda (Vadodara), have completed or started the construction of this temple on Monday in the year 1701 of Śālivāhana Śaka (24th August 1779), on Śrāvaṇa Śuddha Trayodaśī in Vikārīnāma Saṃvatsara (adhika).

Inscription

The additional maṇḍapa has a Kūrmaśilpa at the Centre. The entrance to the garbhagṛha is particularly noteworthy, featuring a sculpture of Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭapaṭṭa. This Gaṇeśa appears to be seated in yogamudrā, and a row of bilvapatras is carved above the lalāṭapaṭṭa. A kīrtīmukha adorns the uduṁbara, flanked by two śarabhas, while Nāthpanthī dvārapālas stand guard on either side of the door.

The devakoṣṭhas adjacent to the entrance host sculptures of Garuḍa and Hanumāna on the right and left sides, respectively. The sculpture of Dharmanātha is placed against the back wall of the garbhagṛha, accompanied by two masks that are likely representations of his disciples. The vitāna above the garbhagṛha is similar in design to that of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The śikhara above the garbhagṛha is painted, and some original stucco-type sculptures are still visible on it.

Kūrmaśilpa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa

Concluding Remarks: The prominence of Dharmanātha, a yogī of the Nātha sect and the mahant of the 'Dhinodhar Maṭha' in 14th-century Gujarat, within Maharashtra poses an interesting question. A possible explanation may lie in an inscription found at the Dharmanātha temple in Pimple village. A matrimonial alliance between the Gaikwāḍ family of Baroda and the Jagtāp family in Pimple might have served as a conduit for Dharmanātha's growing importance in the area. Given that the Gaikwāḍ family's influence was strong in Gujarat, their connection to Pimple village could have catalyzed the veneration of Dharmanātha in this Maharashtrian locale.

Dharmanātha's footprints are still displayed in the older section of the village as a form of reverence. While the temple dedicated to him is generally well-maintained, some parts of it have been subjected to unnecessary painting, potentially affecting its aesthetic and historical value.