Mukhai is a village with a rich history located in the Pune district. It is found on the left bank of the River Vel, 46 km away from Pune, and only 9 km from Shikrapur on the Pune-Nagar highway. According to a legend, the village got its name 'Mukhai' because God spoke here with his mouth.

Archaeological remains.

The village has several ancient archaeological remains to explore, including the old entrance and ruins of old mansions. Visitors entering the village from the north will be greeted by a large and attractive gate, which has Maratha-period murals depicting animals, birds, and human figures on its inner side. Another similar gateway can be found in the village.

Ruins of old wāḍā

An entrance to the village

Marāṭhā period murals

Kāḷabhairavanātha Temple: Mukhai also has several notable temples, including the Kāḷabhairavanātha Temple (18.744835, 74.098055), dedicated to the village deity, Kāḷabhairava. This south-facing temple is the oldest in the village and attracts devotees from neighbouring villages.

Kāḷabhairavanātha Temple

About the temple: As per the temple priest Shri. Bapu Pujari, it is believed that Gaṅgā manifests in the form of water here every twelve years, flowing from Kashi. Interestingly, Shri. Bapu Pujari belongs to the Nhāvī (barber) community, which is uncommon for temple priests. This community has been worshiping the deity since 1862 and they cultivate the 12 acres of land owned by the temple. The priests prioritize their duties at the temple over their traditional profession of hair-dressing. After paying a visit to the deity at the temple, the ‘Taḷī Bharaṇe’ program is performed, which involves offering coconut kernel, turmeric and other items while chanting God’s name as ‘Cāṅgbhala’. The temple hosts a grand yātrā (fair) on Caitra Pourṇimā and celebrates Kāḷabhairava Jayantī on the Aṣṭamī following Kārtik Pourṇimā, with āratī being performed regularly from 7 am to 8 pm during this period.

The images of Kāḷabhairavanātha and Jogeśvarī

A beautiful metal sculpture of Gaṇeśa

The gūḍhamaṇḍapa of the temple

Architecture: Visitors will be able to see the images of Kāḷabhairavanātha and Jogeśvarī on a high pedestal in the garbhagṛha of the temple. The images are highly ornate, with beautiful clothes, flower garlands, and attractive masks. The temple has a maṇḍapa with four pillars in front of the images, with a beautiful metal sculpture of Gaṇeśa at the centre of the door. The gūḍhamaṇḍapa of the temple is 636 cm long and 556 cm wide, consisting of a total of 14 ardhastambhas and six pūrṇastambhas. The gūḍhamaṇḍapa's vitāna is simple, with a sculpture of Gaṇeśa at the entrance.Two stone nāgaśilpas are placed near this maṇḍapa. There is a pair of pādukā (footwear of a divine personality) in front of the temple, at some distance. The pādukās are placed on a raised square measuring 240 cm x 240 cm. It has four pillars on four sides and a śikhara above.

The exterior of the temple is plain. On the eastern side of pradakṣiṇāpatha, an inscription is carved out of the garbhagṛha above the praṇālaka. But it is difficult to read as its letters are faded. A handprint is also shown on one side of this inscription. The original śikhara of the temple is still visible. Its shape is also slightly distinctive. Two lower rows consist of geometric patterns. Above them, there are two Śarabhas at the front with a nāga in between. A row of bilvapatras and a small architectural structure are on the topmost area of śikhara. There is also a small śikhara over the gūḍhamaṇḍapa.

Inscription in the Kāḷabhairavanātha Temple: There is a four-lined inscription (18.744822, 74.098047) in Marathi language and Devanāgarī script on the frontage of a beam which is on the northern side of the raṅgaśiḷā in gūḍhamaṇḍapa of Kāḷabhairavanātha temple. This entire inscription is 26 cm tall and 64 cm wide. The engraved letters are fine and clear. Reading of the Inscription

1. Śrī śake 15
2. 34 Paridhāvī sa
3. vasare je (ṭha) sudha Pāḍīvā Sona Pā
4. tila bina Bhaga Pātila Māruḍī (Mourtab)

Translation: Son Patil Bina Bhag Patil from Marudi (?) village has started or completed the construction of Kāḷabhairavanātha temple on Jyeṣṭha Śuddha Pāḍavā in Paridhāvī saṃvatsara, śake 1534 i. e. on Thursday, May 21st 1612.

The inscription was created to commemorate the construction of the Kāḷabhairavanātha temple. It provides valuable insights into the distinctive features of temple architecture during that time period. Additionally, it highlights the influence of local officials known as ‘Pāṭīl’ on society, even during the Muslim reign of Nizāmśāhī in the 17th century. The inscription also showcases the contemporary style of lettering used during that era.

Inscription in the Kāḷabhairavanātha Temple

Śiva Temple: An east-facing temple of God Śiva has been built between the gūḍhamaṇḍapa and pādukāmaṇḍapa of Kāḷabhairavanath Temple. This temple was built on May 18, 1767 CE. Thus, the said Śiva temple too might have been built around this date. The sabhāmaṇḍapa of this temple is 685 cm long and 465 cm wide. There are a total of 12 carved pillars in this sabhāmaṇḍapa. It also has a north-facing Kūrma sculpture. There is a śivaliṅga in the garbhagṛha. Some sculptures have been placed on a platform outside the garbhagṛha. These include Bhairava, Jogeśvarī, a human face and a crown of an old sculpture.

The Śiva Temple

Sculptures have been placed on a platform.

In front of this temple, there is a Nandī and a tulasī vriṅdāvana. The temple has three steps to climb. It is unclear whether this was originally the nandīmaṇḍapa, as the Nandī is currently located in the antarāḷa of the Śiva temple. Additionally, there is a small Dutta temple located behind the Kāḷabhairava temple in one of the corners.

A Tulasī Vriṅdāvana

Concluding Remarks: The Kāḷabhairava temple in Mukhai village is the oldest temple in the area, dating back to the 17th century before the reign of Shivaji. It offers valuable insights into the development of temple architecture during that period. The temple is highly revered in the region and it is crucial that its original architecture is preserved for future generations. Overall, Mukhai is a fascinating village with a rich history and many historical sites to explore, making it an excellent destination for those interested in history and culture. There is a growing interest in religious tourism, and Kāḷabhairava temple can play an important role in this regard.