The Kukaḍeśvara temple, situated at Pur near the origin of the Kukdi River in Junnar taluka, is an early medieval Yādava-era Bhūmija style temple facing west. With geographical coordinates 19.240257, 73.721763, this temple is one of the oldest in the Pune district and is 19 km away from Junnar. While recent renovations have been undertaken, efforts to embellish the temple both internally and externally have not been fully realized. Therefore, the original sculptures and ornate carvings abound throughout the temple premises.

Kukaḍeśvara temple

Another view of the temple

Architecture: The temple's architectural layout comprises a gūḍhamaṇḍapa, an antarāḷa, and a garbhagṛha. Two images of Nandī grace the temple's front.

Gūḍhamaṇḍapa: The gūḍhamaṇḍapa entrance is ornamented and features three śākhās: ratna, stambha, and another ratnaśākhā. Under these dvāraśākhās, intricate carvings depict Gaṅgā-Yamunā, śēva dvārapāla, nidhī, and yogī. Both sides of the uduṁbara showcase kīrtīmukhas, with additional sculptures scattered around this area. The lalāṭapaṭṭa features a sculpture of Gaṇeśa, and the uttarāṅga is adorned with sculptures of yogīs, deities, and musicians. It's likely that the original śilpapaṭṭa was not in this location. Ardhastambhas flank the door, and they are intricately carved with designs of Peepal leaves, gems, and kīrtīmukhas. Adjacent to these ardhastambhas, two devakoṣṭhas are present. The right devakoṣṭha is empty, while the left one houses a sculpture of Sthānaka Gaṇeśa.

The gūḍhamaṇḍapa of the temple is supported by four unadorned pillars, each featuring bhāravāhakas on their stambhaśīrṣa. Notably, some of these bhāravāhakas have six arms, a feature rarely encountered elsewhere. The ardhastambhas within the gūḍhamaṇḍapa are elaborately carved and even host miniature sculptures. Additionally, devakoṣṭhas in this area contain sculptures of Śiva-Pārvatī and Cāmunḍā. The vitāna above the raṅgaśiḷā captures attention with its intricate carvings. Sculptures of Mālādhārī and various deities embellish it.

Antarāḷa and Garbhagṛha: In the antarāḷa, two devakoṣṭhas are present; one houses a sculpture of Gaṇeśa, while the other is vacant. The roof of the antarāḷa is dome-shaped and richly adorned with sculptures of Yoginīs. The garbhagṛha is set slightly lower than the maṇḍapa. At the entrance of the garbhagṛha, two paṭṭas are seen on the uttarāṅga. The lower part features sculptures of five goddesses, while the upper part hosts sculptures of the Navagraha. The garbhagṛha is home to the liṅga of Kukaḍeśvara, which is adorned with a finely crafted brass mask.

The entrance of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa

Bhāravāhaka (Load bearer)

Gūḍhamaṇḍapa

Temple Exterior: The temple's exterior is elaborately carved, adding to its visual appeal. Architecturally, the temple is supposed to sit on a platform, and elements such as kumud, kuṃbh, and paṭṭikā embellish the maṇḍovara. On the jaṅgha, one finds intricately carved rows of swans, kīrtīmukhas, Peepal leaves, and flowers. The gūḍhamaṇḍapa's jaṅgha features a devakoṣṭha on each of the north and south sides.

Unfortunately, the temple's śikhara has been damaged recently. An older photograph, stored in the Nātha Maṭha located in front of the temple, confirms that the original śikhara was made of stone in the Bhūmija style. It was a Pañcabhbhūma type and featured three horizontal laghuśikharas set between two latās. Currently, a line of laghuśikharas from the original śikhara still remains. A stone āmalaka that once topped the śikhara is now placed near the temple.

Sculptures: The exterior bhadrā of the garbhagṛha features devakoṣṭhas housing various sculptures, including those of Bhairava, Cāmunḍā, and Naṭarāja. The northern devakoṣṭha likely contains a sculpture of Brahmā, while the southern devakoṣṭha holds the image of Nṛvarāha. The upper portion of the jaṅgha displays erotic sculptures and bhāravāhakas. Additionally, sculptures of goddesses are situated on the lower part of the śikhara. Loose sculptures are also visible in front of the Kukaḍeśvara temple, including those of Śiva-Pārvatī, Bhairava, Nandī, Śivagaṇas, and demons.

Nṛvarāha

Bhairava

Śivagaṇas

Concluding Remarks: A Nāthpanthī Maṭha still exists in front of this temple. Probably there was some connection between this temple and the Nātha sect. The most remarkable feature of this temple is that it is the only known temple in the Pune district with stone śikhara in Bhūmija style. We have explained to the villagers to not coat this ancient monument with thick layer of colorful paint.