Mahadev and Kalabhairavanath Temples, Medad

Medad, a village nestled along the banks of the Karha River, lies just 4 km from Baramati and 94 km from Pune. This village boasts many noticieble architectural structures such as the  Viḷubāug Bārava, multiple old temples, and an imposing fortress. The remnants of this fortress suggest that Medad held considerable importance during the Maratha period. Additionally, as one journeys from the village towards the Karha River, they are greeted by two ancient temples dedicated to Kāḷabhairavanātha and Mahādeva, both situated in close proximity to the fortress.

Mahādeva temple

The Mahādeva temple: Situated at coordinates 18.178067, 74.542762, the east-facing Mahādeva temple stands as the most well-preserved architectural marvel in the area. Perched on a 220 cm-high plinth, the temple grounds originally spanned 60 acres. Historically, this land was bequeathed to the Telī (oil miller) community, specifically for the upkeep of the temple's lamp-lighting system. Today, the temple's religious activities are overseen by Shri. Bapu Jagannath Gade (Gurav), who serves as its priest.

Architecture: The architectural layout of the Mahādeva temple comprises several distinct sections: the nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha. There are two main access points to the temple, one from the east and the other from the south. The eastern entrance leads visitors up 11 steps before they reach the nandīmaṇḍapa. This space seamlessly connects to both the mukhamaṇḍapa and the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Measuring 380 x 380 cm, the plinth of the nandīmaṇḍapa showcases the statue of Nandī, seated amid the maṇḍapa's four intricately carved pillars.  In addition, four other stambhas (pillars) are identifiable as components of the mukhamaṇḍapa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: From the nandīmaṇḍapa, a brief ascent of two steps leads to the entrance of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. This entrance is simple: the door prominently features the stambhaśākhā, accompanied by a delicately engraved gem on the uduṁbara. The lalāṭabimba, positioned above the doorframe, remains unadorned, devoid of deity representations. Adjacently, two unadorned ardhastambhas anchor the kakṣāsana. The sabhāmaṇḍapa boasts a spacious design, with dimensions measuring 590 cm x 590 cm. It's anchored by four primary pillars and supplemented by 12 pilasters. The adjacent raṅgamaṇḍapa is slightly more compact, spanning 365 cm x 360 cm.

Carvings on the Pillars: Pillar No. 1 in the sabhāmaṇḍapa, which is the leftmost pillar as one enters, is adorned with intricate carvings: The eastern face depicts three men sharing four legs, with two mridaṅgavādaka figures accompanying them; the southern side portrays a vivid scene of a lion launching an attack on an elephant; the western facade features a female dancer, rhythmically flanked by two drummers or mridaṅgavādakas; the northern aspect illustrates a valiant warrior defending his cows from a menacing beast. The fourth pillar, situated to the right upon entry, contains its own set of carvings; the eastern side showcases two engraved gemstones; to the south, a dancer is depicted, complemented by what seems to be a kinnara playing a flute, with a mridaṅgavādaka to the left; the western face captures a dramatic clash between two elephants. The northern side exhibits kīrtīmukhas. Apart from these, the remaining pillars, although less ornate, still carry simplistic engravings. Notably, extra columns have been integrated into the structure to provide additional support to the beam located at the rear of the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Antarāḷa: The Antarāḷa of the temple is simple, and it is 295 cm long and 275 cm wide. Two additional columns have been added to support the beam on the facade of the antarāḷa. The entrance to the garbhagṛha has triśākhās that consist of ratnaśākhā, stambhaśākhā and a flat śākhā too. Nidhī, śaiva dwārapāla, and cauri-bearer are carved on the peḍyā. In contrast, two kīrtīmukhas and a gemstone at the center are seen to be engraved on the uduṁbara. There is an attractive candraśiḷā in front. The flower buds on the candraśiḷā have been carved to look alive and vibrant. There is a sculpture of Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭabimba. The size of the garbhagṛha is 260 cm x 260 cm. It has a magnificent śivaliṅga of Mahādeva.

Exterior: Remnants of the original śikhara can still be discerned atop the nandīmaṇḍapa. The temple's exterior is simple, and no decoration is found on it. The praṇālaka is on the north side of the temple. Abhiṣeka water comes out through it. The restoration of the śikhara of the temple may have taken place during the Marāṭhā period. It has been painted over recently.

Nandīmaṇḍapa

Nandīmaṇḍapa

The sabhāmaṇḍapa

A sculpture of three men with four legs.

A scene of a lion attacking an elephant.

A fight between two elephants

kīrtīmukhas

The entrance to the garbhagṛha.

Nidhī, śaiva dwārapāla, and cauri-bearer are carved on the peḍyā.

A vīragaḷa and dīpamāḷa.

Umā-Maheśvara āliṅgana mūrtī

Few remarks: There is five vīragaḷas on the premises of the Mahādeva temple. Apart from this, Umā-Maheśvara āliṅgana mūrtī, two dīpamāḷas, samadhī, tulasī vriṅdāvana , and a stone mask can be seen on the temple premises. There is bel, night jasmine, frangipani, and Capparis zeylanica (tarata – a local shrub) in the temple area. During monsoons, water seeps into the walls of the temple. This may cause a threat to the temple in the future. Therefore, preservation of the roof of the temple should be done. Overall, the villagers have taken good care of the temple.

Kālabhairavanātha Temple (18.177362, 74.542643)

Apart from the Mahādeva temple, there is another famous temple of Bhairavanātha in Medad. But most of the original portion of this temple has been destroyed. The Bhairavanātha temple stands on a 270 cm-high and 1365 cm x 1365 cm plinth. This type of plinth is not seen elsewhere in Maharashtra. Moreover, this plinth has devakoṣhṭhas on all sides. Several of these images are not visible now. One can enter the sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple by climbing a few steps. The sabhāmaṇḍapa is built recently. But the garbhagṛha of the temple is ancient. There are images of Kālabhairavanātha and Jogeśwarī in the garbhagṛha. There is a dīpamāḷa in front of the temple, and three vīragaḷas are seen nearby. One of them is a caturbhuja type. Apart from this, three balīpiṭhas and two pādukās are seen placed on the platform of the dīpamāḷa.

A clogged bārava is seen from the Kālabhairavanātha temple to the main road. A five-line Marathi inscription dated 1800 CE is engraved on one of the stales in this bārava. In this inscription, this area is called ‘Viḷubāug.’ Also, Hari Gawandi, the craftsman who created this garden, is mentioned. The last line of the inscription cannot be guessed. The inscription reads as follows:
Śrī Durgā
Śake 1723 Caitra Śuddha 12
Vivāsare te divasī Viḷubāug
kelā kārīgara Hari Gawandī
Śubhra parakāra 6 62 .5

Kālabhairavanātha Temple

Kālabhairavanātha Temple

Dīpamāḷa

The Vāḍā (palace).

Concluding Remarks: Overall, the two temples, the bārava, and the fortress in this village warrant preservation and protection. The bārava, currently clogged, has the potential to be rejuvenated through careful excavation. Relocating the residents nearby could further reveal and enhance the bārava's inherent beauty. The village fortress, despite the passage of time, retains its robust construction. The school currently housed in the Vāḍā (palace) should be thoughtfully relocated and reorganized, ensuring that the buildings within the fortress maintain their historical integrity and significance.