Nimsakhar is located on the left bank of the Nira River at a distance of 28 km from Indapur in the Pune district. There is a temple of goddess Nimjāī (a local Goddess) in this village, so the village probably got its name Nimsakhar from the name of this goddess. There are three vāḍās (palaces) of the Marāṭhā period in the village. Among those, the walls and bastions of Rananavare Saradar’s vāḍā/Vihīra vāḍā and Thoralā vāḍā are visible. These buildings have fallen into disrepair.

Mahādeva temple: An ancient east-facing temple of Mahādeva (18.012365, 74.825683) at Nimsakhar village is worth noting. This temple, it seems was originally built during the 14th century, however it underwent restoration during the Maratha Period and the śikhara of the temple underwent restoration in 1987. It is likely that Rananavare Sardār may have been responsible for restoring the original temple during the Marāṭhā period. So, its original structure cannot be realized well. The layout includes a nandīmaṇḍapa, a sabhāmaṇḍapa, and a garbhagṛha. Originally, the temple was enclosed by a fencing wall, but only its eastern and northern entrances remain today. The temple premises feature two tall dīpamāḷas and a tulasī vriṅdāvana. Shri. Ratan Dinkar Kshirsagar serves as the priest of the Mahādeva temple, and a trust body is in place for its administration.

The temple is distinguished by the presence of numerous large vīragaḷas within its premises. Around 20 of these are visible and depict themes such as cow protection and battle scenes. The dimensions of some vīragaḷas are 165 cm in height and 51 cm in width. 

A tulasī vriṅdāvana.

Hero stones.

Hero stone.

Hero stones.

Hero stones

Samādhī and Tulasī Vriṅdāvanas: The area surrounding the Mahādeva temple offers additional points of interest. The samādhī of Maratha Sardār Jivaji Subhanji Rananavare is one such landmark, notable for its inscription that includes the Sardār's name. Additionally, four tulasī vriṅdāvanas situated near the Nira River stand out for their artistic merit.

These vriṅdāvanas are particularly distinct in their sculptural and carving details. Among the subjects depicted are Hanumāna, elephants, tortoises, a duel between a śarabha and a snake, a woman beside a winged animal, as well as a unique fusion sculpture of the kūrma (turtle) and varāha (boar) incarnations. It is commonly said that these tulasī vriṅdāvanas were connected to the wife of Rananavare Sardār.

The samādhī of Maratha Sardār Jivaji Subhanji Rananavare and Tulasī vriṅdāvanas..

a mythical sculpture.

a sculpture of woman and an animal.

Sculpture of kūrma.

Concluding Remarks: The village, serving as the royal seat of the Rananavare Sardārs, is steeped in historical richness. There is a pressing need for preservation efforts, particularly for the vāḍās, some of which are in a deteriorated state. Protecting the structures that remain in good condition can act as a touchstone for future generations to understand and appreciate the village's illustrious history, and the Marāṭhā history in general.

Scattered vīragaḷas on the temple grounds could benefit from proper arrangement and consolidation, ensuring their preservation. Additional efforts to beautify the area surrounding the samādhī of the Rananavare Sardārs, perhaps through the creation of a garden, could serve to enhance its appeal and attract more visitors. It's evident that the villagers take pride in their historical legacy. Recent restoration efforts led by the community signify an awareness of the village's cultural importance, but there is still much to be done to ensure its long-term preservation.