Kaleshvar Temple, Bavada

There is a village called Bavada at a distance of 18 km from Indapur. Some ancient relics are found in this village in the form of temples, vīragaḷas, satīśiḷās, and damaged images. Among all the temples in the village, the temple named Kāleśvara (17.966646,74.996956) is the most beautiful and reasonably well-maintained. Since this temple is inside a wāḍā situated in the central part of the village, it is not easily noticed by people.

The Kāleśvara temple.

Architecture: The general structure of this temple consists of a nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa and garbhagṛha. As one enters the vāḍā, the nandīmaṇḍapa is sighted first. The characteristic feature of nandīmaṇḍapa is that one of its pillars is made with a vīragaḷa. The size of nandīmaṇḍapa is 380 X 380 cm. Vīragaḷas used as pillars of nandīmaṇḍapa are generally 110 cm in height and 40 cm in width. A hero’s saga is engraved on its three surfaces. In these, the hero is shown fighting on horseback. A parasol is also visible on his head. The image of Nandī is in the centre of the nandīmaṇḍapa.

Details of hero stone.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: The sabhāmaṇḍapa measures 594 X 594 cm and features two niches in its facade. Kakṣāsanas are present, and while they lack sculptures, they are adorned with carvings of jewels. Four ardhastambhas grace the kakṣāsanas, forming a square with dimensions of 300 X 300 cm. These stambhas have a height of 220 cm. Above these intricately carved pillars, nāgabandhas can be observed.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple.

Antarāḷa and Garbhagṛha: The temple's antarāḷa measures 210 cm in length and 220 cm in width, featuring two pillars on its facade. Within the antarāḷa, there are two sculptures. The first is an image of Keśava, standing at a height of 110 cm and a width of 59 cm. The second sculpture is likely that of Vaiṣṇavī or Mahālakṣmī, with dimensions identical to the Keśava image. The garbhagṛha has a square layout of 220 X 220 cm. The entrance to the garbhagṛha is adorned with carvings of Nidhī, Śaiva dwārapāla, and Gaṅgā-Yamunā. A Gaṇeśa sculpture is featured on the lalāṭapaṭṭa. Positioned at the center of the garbhagṛha is the śivaliṅga. The vitānas of the garbhagṛha, antarāḷa, and sabhāmaṇḍapa are simple in design.

Images of Keśava and Vaiṣṇavī or Mahālakṣmī.

Vaiṣṇavī or Mahālakṣmī.

Additional Information: The presence of two devakoṣṭhas in the sabhāmaṇḍapa and additional evidence on other walls suggest that the original temple might have undergone restoration. The exterior of the temple is unadorned but features a row of kīrtīmukhas. A praṇālaka system exists for draining the abhiṣeka water. The temple now has a modern śikhara. Additional features on the temple premises include three vīragaḷas and a sculpture of Gajalakṣmī. Based on the architectural and artistic elements, the temple appears to date back to the 13th-14th century CE.