At a distance of 18 km from Indapur, there is an ancient east-facing temple of Mahādeva (18.050716, 74.896785) at Pitkeshwar. This temple is situated on a heath a little away from the village. The villagers also call this temple ‘Śiva Śambhū’. At first sight, it does not look like an old temple, but on closer inspection, it can be immediately understood that it must be centuries old. Since some part of the original temple has gone below the earth’s surface. The original temple based on the remians must be at least 500 years old. In proximity to this temple, there is an inscription which states that Ahilyabai Holkar gave donation to build a bārava (well). 

Mahādeva temple.

Buried portion of the temple.

Architecture: The temple layout incorporates an open sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and a garbhagṛha. Access to the sabhāmaṇḍapa is facilitated through entrances located in the east and south directions. This congregational hall is supported by four main stambhas and twelve ardhastambhas, designed in an older architectural style.

In terms of iconography, Gaṇeśa is carved into the north side of the first pillar on the left, while a Bhairava sculpture is found on the south side of the second introductory pillar in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. On the eastern side of the rear pillars, śaiva dwārapālas stand guard. Additionally, two Nandī sculptures are placed within the sabhāmaṇḍapa, although their original location might have been in a separate external maṇḍapa. Within the garbhagṛha, the inner sanctum houses a śivaliṅga. Alongside it, sculptures that are likely representations of Umā-Maheśvara and Gaṇeśa can also be seen.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple.

Another view of hall and vestibule.

Temple Exterior: The exterior of the temple’s garbhagṛha is flat and has been restored. There is a sculpture of Gaṇeśa at a place on it. The śikhara has also been restored. In front of the temple, there is a tulasī vriṅdāvana and a dīpamāḷa at some distance. A huge circular well which is built of stones is at a distance behind the dīpamāḷa.

The exterior of the temple.

Inscription: There is a bārava at a distance of approximately one km. from the village. It is called as ‘Ahilyabai’s Bārava’. There are two Devanāgarī inscriptions in this bārava. They have been read by Mr Nilesh Shelke previously.

First Inscription, 

|| Śrī ||
Śrī Pitkeshvara yethila stha
la vara vihira keli Śāli
vāhana śake 1710 Kīlaka nāma
samvatsara || Śrī Mallārī caraṇī
tatpara Ahilyabai Holkar ni
rantara ||

Translation: Ahilyabai Holkar built this well at Śrī Pitkeshwar on Śālivāhana śaka 1710, kīlaka nāma samvatsara which means in the year 1788.

Second inscription:
Śrī Pit(?)keshvara caraṇī tatpara
Ahilyabai Holkar
nirantara ||
Śrī Harahara |

An inscription of Ahilyadevi Holkar.

Concluding Remarks: Based on the architectural features, it's evident that the temple dates back to the 14th century CE, making it the oldest in the village. This lends credence to the idea that the village name, 'Pitkeshvar,' likely originates from the 'Śiva-Śambhū Mahādeva' temple. In addition to this significant Śiva temple, there is also a temple dedicated to a goddess in the village.

Ahilya Devi Holkar, known for her extensive temple restoration and construction efforts across the Indian subcontinent, has left her mark here as well. She was responsible for building temples, ghāṭas, dharmaśāḷās, bāravas, and wells, particularly in significant pilgrimage centers. The presence of a well in Pitkeshvar attributed to her suggests that the village was a prominent pilgrimage site in the 18th century or possibly even earlier.

Given that the Śiva-Śambhū Mahādeva temple predates Ahilya Devi Holkar, it is plausible that she visited this ancient site. It's reasonable to speculate that the restoration work on the dīpamāḷa in front of the temple and possibly the garbhagṛha could have been undertaken by her.