Mahadev Temple, Shingarvadi

Shingarwadi (18.898055, 74.292360) is a small village situated 69 km from Pune and 22 km from Shirur, at the confluence of Kukadi and a local river. Earlier, this village was known as ‘Srungarwadi.’ Its current name may have come into use as a corruption of this word. This village has an ancient east-facing Mahādeva temple on the bank of river Kukadi. On the other side of the river is a village called Gunore within the borders of the district Ahmednagar. Shingarwadi is only 13 km from Nighoj, which is famous for potholes (deep natural underground holes formed by rock erosion, especially by water's action), so it is easy to reach here.

Temple of Mahādeva.

Mahādeva temple: The ruins of the Mahādeva temple are situated in a field alongside the Kukadi River, approximately 500 meters away from the main village settlement. Its location—neglected and distant from the community—may be a factor in its continued existence. Had it been situated within the central village area, it likely would have been demolished to make way for a new temple. As it stands, only the foundational structure of the temple remains. This foundation has suffered damage, causing the edifice to tilt slightly. Nonetheless, local residents attest that the temple has remained in this state for many years.

Architecturally, the temple ruins hold significant importance. Currently, the garbhagṛha and sabhāmaṇḍapa exist, albeit in a dilapidated condition. The dimensions of the sabhāmaṇḍapa are 210 cm in length and 180 cm in width. Adding to the historical value of the ruins, two lines of Devanāgarī inscriptions are engraved on a beam on the sabhāmaṇḍapa facade. These inscriptions are of the engraved type, set on a stone slab measuring 200 cm in length and 33 cm in width.

Reading of the Inscription:

Śrī Manu Nayak| Wai Nayak|

Īsvaragreha Krartavyaṁ |

Translation: Śrī Manu Nayak and Wai Nayak have carried out the duty of constructing a house of God.

From the lettering of the inscription, it should belong to the Yādava period and likely in the Sanskrit language. An inscription bearing the names of Manu Nayak and Vai Nayak, dating back to the 12th century, has been found earlier in the village of Deulgaon Raje in the Pune district. Hence, this inscription at Shingarwadi should also be generally from the same period. A sculpture of Gaṇeśa is carved at the entrance of the garbhagṛha. A śivaliṅga is installed the middle of the garbhagṛha.

Two lined Devanāgarī inscriptions are engraved on the beam.

Garbhagṛha

The temple's construction features both stone and brick elements. While some bricks can still be observed in the temple walls, they have deteriorated over time, leaving primarily the stone framework intact. A praṇālaka in the northern section serves to channel water away from the śivaliṅga. Notably, the kalaśa and āmalaka elements atop the temple's śikhara have survived in their original forms. One distinguishing feature is a small, ancient Nandi idol situated in front of the sanctuary. Another unique aspect is the presence of exceptional vīragaḷas. There are a total of five such vīragaḷas within the premises, each displaying intricate design and craftsmanship.

Vīragaḷa No. 1: It is kept close to the ardhastambha on the right side of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. It is 162 cm high and 85 cm wide. Its depth is 25 cm. There are three main compartments on the vīragaḷa. The lowest part of the vīragaḷa is obscured by erosion. It shows two heroes. Probably it is shown in the lowest compartment that the heroes have fallen. Then there is a scene where they fight other soldiers in the upper compartment. One of the heroes is sitting on a horse and facing the enemy army with his sword. Around ten enemy soldiers with spears/swords and shields are marching on these two heroes. The compartment above shows a śivaliṅga and a priest in the center. Nandī is seated under the śivaliṅga and two vīras are sitting on high pedestals on either side of him. Servants/woman servants are standing with both these heroes. Two apsarās are flying above the heads of both these heroes to offer them garlands. Such flying nymphs are rarely seen on vīragaḷas. A sevak/sevikā holds a chatra over the head of the hero on the right. A sculpture of Gaṇeśa is carved behind her. Perhaps this hero must be a great devotee of Gaṇeśa too. A kuṁbha is depicted on the topmost part of vīragaḷa.

Hero stone No. 1.

The upper compartment of Hero stone No. 1.

Vīragaḷa no. 2.: It is Sarvatobhadra (on four cardinal directions of the object) type of vīragaḷa and it is placed on the left side in front of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Its height is 125 cm and the width of the eastern side is 42 cm. A figure of Gajalakṣamī is engraved on the top. The vīra is shown fighting soldiers with a sword in the compartment below. While in the area below, he is seated in a maṇḍapa/temple. The width of the southern side is 36 cm, and in the lowermost compartment, the hero is seated in meditation in a maṇḍapa/temple having a phāmsanā type śikhara. In the panel above, he is shown fighting with two other soldiers. Hero is holding a sword and shield in his hands. In the compartment above, he is seated on a stool with folded hands before the śivaliṅga. A priest accompanies the śivaliṅga.

The width of the western side is 40 cm. On this side, the vīra is shown lying in the lowest compartment. A man or woman is also depicted with him. The compartment above shows a battle between the vīra and other soldiers. In the compartment above this, he is standing in front of the śivaliṅga with folded hands. The northern side of Sarvatobhadra vīragaḷa is 35 cm in size (width). A woman is shown in the lowest panel. Probably she is committing satī with her dead husband. This scene shows the flames. The panel above shows the hero with a dagger, fighting with another warrior holding a spear. In the compartment above, a couple is sitting on a raised seat. Probably both of them should be husband and wife.

Hero stone No. 2. (Southern side).

Hero stone No. 2. (The Eastern side).

Hero stone No. 2. (the Northern side)

Vīragaḷa no. 3: This vīragaḷa is 130 cm tall and 44 cm wide. It is kept close to an ardhastambha in sabhāmaṇḍapa. The vīra is shown lying down in the lowest compartment. A scene of the hero being carried by two nymphs in a palanquin is carved beside. The panel above shows him fighting with eight soldiers. Soldiers have spears and shields in their hands. The hero is also combating with a spear in his hand. In the compartment above this, he is sitting in front of the śivaliṅga with his hands doing namaskāra and legs crossed. Nandī is engraved under the śivaliṅga and a priest is standing along with it. The Kuṁbha/Kalaśa is carved in the above area.

Hero stone No. 3.

Vīragaḷa no. 4: This vīragaḷa is mounted horizontally in the wall of the garbhagṛha. It is 100 cm tall and 38 cm wide and engraved in three compartments. There is also an incident of a hero dying while fighting in it.

Vīragaḷa no. 5: This vīragaḷa is simple and seems to be of a later period than other vīragaḷas.

Apart from this, there is an eroded Umā-Maheśvara āliṅgana image in this temple. Recently, a devotee from this village has placed attractive metal images of the temple's Tārā and Hanumāna of the modern period.

Hanumāna

Concluding Remarks: The Mahādeva temple and the accompanying vīragaḷas are estimated to date back to the 13th-14th centuries. The carvings on these vīragaḷas suggest they may represent a hero or a Maṇḍaleśvara. The presence of battle scenes further implies that the area may have witnessed warfare during that time period. Examining the first four vīragaḷas, they appear to originate from the same era. In addition, these vīragaḷas feature uncommon depictions of Gaṇeśa and Gajalakṣamī, adding to their historical and artistic significance.