The Charhoḷi Budruk village is located on River Indrayani's banks, about 21 km from Pune city and 4 km from Alandi. Private vehicles and municipal corporation bus services are available for travelling to this place. During the Late Marāṭhā period, notable rulers of this village were the Marāṭhā officers Tapkir and Dabhade. Tapkir's vāḍā ruins can still be seen in the village, and the temple reflects the remnants of its glorious past. The village has three notable religious structures: two Śiva temples, Vāgheśvara and Khureśvar, and a temple of Kālabhairava.

Khureśvar Mahādev Temple and Indrayani river at a distance

Khureśvar Mahādev Temple: The Khureśvar Mahādev temple is located on elevated ground near the riverbank and faces east. The temple comprises a garbhagṛha, sabhāmaṇḍapa, and nandīmaṇḍapa and stands on a high adhiṣṭhāna. The temple is still well-maintained and located in a very scenic environment.

Nandīmaṇḍapa: In front of the temple stands a modestly designed nandīmaṇḍapa featuring four decorative pillars, with a Nandī sculpture at the centre. Behind the nandīmaṇḍapa are sculptures of Gaṇeśa, two Nandīs, a person with an archer and footprints, etc. The Gaṇeśa sculpture in this is very beautiful and is older than the temple. The temple's exterior is flat, with a gomukha (a decorative water spout) on the northern wall and some decorative designs adorning the varaṇḍikā section. The temple's śikhara follows the square Marāṭhā architectural style, characterized by its simplicity and lack of elaborate embellishments, with some carvings seen on its neck.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: The sabhāmaṇḍapa has four steps to enter the temple hall, with Kīrtimukha carved on one of these steps. The facade of the sabhāmaṇḍapa is open and features four simple pillars in the middle and pilasters in the corners. A kūrmaśilpa is present in the middle of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. There is a beautiful image of Gaṇeśa on a platform on one side of the sabhāmaṇḍapa, and a rare ‘Dvi- liṅga’ is in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The main ‘vitāna’ of the sabhāmaṇḍapa is simple. A five-line Devanāgarī inscription engraved on the facade of the sabhāmaṇḍapa reveals that the temple of Kholeśvar was constructed by Damaji Khanderav and his son Ragho, residents of Charhoḷi village in the Pune region. The temple construction occurred around Āśvina Śuddha 1 of Śake 1649 Plavaṅga Samavatsara, corresponding to 5 September 1727 CE. 

Reading of Inscription

१. श्री गणेशाय नमः श्रीमत् शालीवाहन शके १६४९ प्लवग नाम सवछरे

२. अस्विन सुध प्रतिपदा तदिनी++++++++

३. पुत्र दामाजी खंडेराव+++++ कुलकर्णी

४. मौजे चऱ्होळी तर्फ हवेली प्रात पुणे दामाजी पंताचे पुत्र श्री

५. घो म - घ –(?) यासी श्री खोलेस्वराचे देउल बांधले [असे]

Garbhagṛha: The entrance to the garbhagṛha features a carving of Gaṇapatī on the lintel portion and a kīrtimukha on the threshold. There are decorative patterns in the uttarāṅga section, and two floral motifs are intricately carved adjacent to the doorway. The garbhagṛha has a central Śivaliṅga and a niche on the back wall.

A view of the Khureśvar Mahādev Temple.

‘Dvi- liṅga’.

Gaṇeśa in sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Inscription

Nandīmaṇḍapa

Gaṇeśa sculpture

Kālabhairavanāth Temple: The Kālbhairavanāth temple faces east and is located in the centre of the village at coordinates 18°39'15.95" N, 73°54'32.80"E. It is a private temple owned by the Tapkir family and features a mix of Indo-Islamic architectural influences. The temple roof is partly cement, and the complex consists of a garbhagṛha and a gūdhamaṇḍapa. The temple is managed by Mr. Sandeep Tapkir, a Marāṭhā community member who serves as the priest.

Garbhagṛha

Gūdhamaṇḍapa

Gūdhamaṇḍapa: The entry gate of the gūdhamaṇḍapa has an intricately engraved lintel featuring Bilvapatra and Śarabhs, with more Bilvapatra and flower carvings above it. The corners of the gūdhamaṇḍapa are in the form of an arch, and its roof is circular. There is an additional door on the left side, and six ornate niches decorate the structure. The left-side niche is home to an image of Gaṇapatī, while a loose image of Hanumān and a stone slab bearing engraved footprints are on the temple premises. Additionally, there are temples dedicated to Hanumān and Kṛṣṇa in the village.

Garbhagṛha: The entrance of the garbhagṛha has a Gaṇeśa on the lintel and a kīrtimukha on the udumbara portion of the doorjamb. The entrance is beautifully decorated with engravings of creepers and flowers and depictions of a parrot and peacock carved next to Gaṇeśa. Inside the Garbhagṛha are five idols, including Kāl-Bhairava and Jogeśvarī, which are placed on an intricately designed meghadambarī on an elevated platform. The vitāna (ceiling) of the Garbhagṛha is pyramidal.

As mentioned, there is one another important Maratha era temple in the village, Vageśvar temple, which is described in detail in a seperate entry.