In the heart of Talegaon-Dhamdhere village (18.668059, 74.153273) stands an east-facing Śiva temple known as the Kākaḍeśvara Temple. An inscription on the temple indicates it was built on November 7, 1790 CE (śaka 1712). A separate inscription on a bell in the nearby Gaṇapatī Temple suggests that the temple continued to be known by this name until at least śaka 1848 (1926 CE).

Access to the Kākaḑeśvara Temple is through a deteriorated entrance on the south side, leading to the temple complex enclosed by a fencing wall. Unfortunately, due to inadequate upkeep, the temple's condition has deteriorated significantly. Both the temple śikhara and the surrounding area are overgrown with bushes and grass. Additionally, the structure is compromised by water leakage during the monsoon season, putting the temple at risk.

Kākaleśvara temple.

A dilapidated entrance of the temple.

The temple śikhara and its premises are covered by bushes and grass.

Architecture: The architectural layout of the temple comprises a sabhāmaṇḍapa and a garbhagṛha. It is unclear whether a nandīmaṇḍapa ever existed; however, a large Nandī is currently housed in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Additionally, a smaller Nandī is also present in the same area. The sabhāmaṇḍapa is unadorned and features three arches oriented in three different directions. Niches are situated on either side of these arches. The sabhāmaṇḍapa measures 527 cm in length and 535 cm in width. Its vitāna (roof) is pyramidal and narrows towards the summit. Below the vitāna, a kūrmaśilpa is engraved on the floor.

A ground plan of the temple.

The vitāna of the sabhāmaṇḍapa

Garbhagṛiha: The garbhagṛiha of the temple has a simple entrance. An image of Gaṇeśa is on the lalāṭa. Two kīrtimukas are visible on uduṁbara. There are devakoṣhṭhas on both sides of the entrance. After getting down three steps, one can enter the garbhagṛiha. It measures 341 X 341 cm and there is a śivalinga in the centre. There is an empty devakoṣhṭhas behind the śivalinga. Four ardhastambhas are in four corners. The walls of the garbhagṛiha are arched and each arch has two niches. The vitāna is dome-shaped. An important feature of the garbhagṛiha is one additional doorway on its south. Through this door also, one can enter the garbhagṛiha by getting down three steps. The exterior of the temple is flat. There is an image of Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭa of the southern entrance.

Śivalinga in the garbhagṛiha.

Śikhara: The śikhara of the temple is simple and has four layers of kūṭas. There are no images of gods-goddesses in these śikharas. On the top, the āmalaka and kalaśa are visible.

Śikhara of the temple

Inscription: On the frontal area, an inscription is carved in Devanāgarī script and Sanskrit language. It has been read by Mr Pandurang Narsimha Patvardhan before. The content of this inscription is as follows:

Svastī śrīnrupa Śālivāhana śake

1712 Sādhāraṇa nām samvatsare Kā

rtīka śuddha 1 śri Kākaleśāla

ya taḷagrāmaka Kulakaraṇi joti

ṣa Bapuji atmaja sadashivena

yatkrut ||

Translation: In the 1712th year of Śālivāhana śaka, Sādhāraṇa samvatsara, on the day of Kārtīka śuddha pratipadā (Sunday) Mr. Sadashiva Bapuji who is a ‘Kulkarṇī’ and astrologer at Talegaon, has built this temple. A distinguishing feature of this inscription is that till 1790 CE, this village was known as Talegaon (taḷagrāma).

Inscription

Concluding Remarks: This temple is among the group of Maraṭhā era temple in the historic village of Talegaon Dhamdhere. However it is in a really bad condition and urgent intervention is required. At present, Mr Hemant Takate is in service of this temple.