Khandoba temple, Mukhai

The temple of Khanḍobā at Mukhai is located 46 km away from Pune and is significant for its inscriptions. Constructed on October 28, 1771, CE, the Khanḍobā temple was mainly built by the Palande Sardār family of the village. In the central area of Mukhai village, this east-facing Khanḍobā temple that is mostly in ruins except for the garbhagṛha.

Khanḍobā temple

About the Temple: Upon entering the temple, one is greeted by a sculpture of Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭapaṭṭa at the entrance of the garbhagṛha. Inside the garbhagṛha, which measures 220 cm by 210 cm, the images of Khanḍobā and his wives, Mhāḷasā and Bāṇāī, command attention from their elevated platform along the back wall. The Devanāgarī inscriptions, carved on both sides of the Gaṇeśa sculpture and flanked by floral motifs, seem to commemorate the construction of the temple but require some effort to decipher.

Flanking the entrance of the garbhagṛha, two niches exist, perhaps formerly housing additional deities or ornaments. Outside the inner sanctum, there stands a damaged maṇḍapa measuring 294 cm by 294 cm. Only the lower parts of its four pillars remain intact, and a modern statue of Nandī is situated within it. Between this worn maṇḍapa and the garbhagṛha, a kūrmaśilpa can be found. Finally, the temple is topped with a modern śikhara, indicating ongoing efforts to preserve both its structural and spiritual essence.

Inscriptions: The inscriptions are carved on both sides above the entrance of the Khanḍobā temple (18.744760. 74.098956). They are fine and clear. But due to the colour application, they need to be read very carefully and by actual site visit. These inscriptions are in the Marathi language and Devanāgarī script. Actually, these two engravings on both sides are two parts of the same inscription. The left side of the inscription is 32.5 cm high and 28.5 cm wide; while the remaining part is 32 cm high and 28 cm wide. The motive behind carving this inscription seems to commemorate the temple construction. 

Part One:

1. Śrī
2. Śrī Martaṇḍa caranī cerana
3. raja rāje Śrī Bālojī
4. Pātila Palāṇḍe valada la
5. khāmojī Pātila Palāṇḍe
6. Mokadama Mouje Mukhaī

Part Two:

1. Śrī
2. Sumāvī sana 1181 akarā
3. se yekyāsī sake 1693 kharai
4. nāma Saṃvatsare Māhe Āsvī
5. na vade 5 Pañcemī (Maṅgaḷa māhe
6. svarī) suprasana subhava (ma?)stu

Translation: The Rāje (chieftain) of Mukhai village, Śrī Baloji Patil Palande Valada Lakhamoji Patil Palande Mokadama Mouje Mukhai built or initiated the construction of the Khanḍobā temple in śake 1693, Kharou Saṃvatsara, on Aśvina vadya 5 pañcamī (Suhūra year 1181) i. e. on Monday, 28th October 1771.

Inscription: Part 1.

Inscription: Part 2.

Concluding Remarks: This temple is in ruins, however for completness sake and for the presence of 18th century inscription, we have documented this temple.