There is a small village called Kazad at a distance of 16 km from Baramati. The village has three old pre-Maratha era temples: the adjoint Malakeśvara and Mahādeva (18.149014, 74.725296) and another Mahādeva temple (18.149958, 74.725702). While these temples may not have extensive sculptures or carvings, their historical relevance makes them noteworthy. Among these, the Malakeśvara temple and the adjoining temple of Mahādeva are located at a quiet place outside the village.

The Malakeśvara temple

Local residents recount that in the past, the adjoining Malakeśvara and Mahādeva temples were concealed beneath a mound of soil. While each temple has its distinct garbhagṛha, their sabhāmaṇḍapas are unified.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa.

The temples likely had a surrounding wall in earlier times. Evidence for this is the presence of an entrance with a stone-built mukhamaṇḍapa in what seems to have been the perimeter wall. This mukhamaṇḍapa rests on four pillars.

Mukhamaṇḍapa.

Through this entrance, we come close to another small entrance. A śivaliṅga and a dīpamāḷa are seen nearby.

Śivaliṅga

Upon entering the sabhāmaṇḍapa, the deep-set garbhagṛha of Malakeśvara emerges to the left. In the antarāḷa of this temple, one can find an idol of Gaṇeśa and two nāgaśilpas. To have a glimpse of the śivaliṅga of Malakeśvara, one must descend more than ten steps from the antarāḷa. Given the dimness inside the temple, carrying a torch is advisable. The garbhagṛha of the Malakeśvara temple faces west.

Garbhagṛha of Malakeśvara.

Coming back to the sabhāmaṇḍapa we can immediately have a darśana of the other north-facing Mahādeva temple. There are a total of ten simple pillars in this combined sabhāmaṇḍapa. The pillars in front of Malakeśvara seem to be comparatively modern.

Combined sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Two other doorways have been created on the left and right sides of the Mahādeva temple. A kuṇḍa has been prepared for hōma-havana in the sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple. The bricks of this kuṇḍa seem to be old. Probably they should be of the original śikhara. 

The villagers might have renovated this temple in the last 50-100 years. While renovating, they fenced the original Malakeśvara and Mahādeva temples with stone walls on all sides. At present, a modern śikhara has been built on the Malakeśvara temple. A Muslim structure is also seen near this temple.

Mahādeva temple

Second Māhadeva Temple: Located 200-300 meters from the Malakeśvara temple, another Mahādeva temple stands on a high plinth in the village. Dating back to approximately the 18th century, the temple may have originally been built on a mound from the early medieval period. Artefacts like potsherds and terracotta beads have been found on this hillock, supporting this theory.

The general layout of the temple includes a nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha. The nandīmaṇḍapa appears to have deteriorated over time. However, a Nandī image still remains, situated on a square platform measuring 178 cm in length and 102 cm in width. Alongside it, a śivaliṅga is also placed. The entrance to the maṇḍapa is quite straightforward, with a plow carved above it. The sabhāmaṇḍapa measures 400 x 400 cm and is supported by four pillars, each 195 cm high. Within this space, there are two devakoṣṭhas. Additionally, a Gaṇeśa image and a Nandīmukha are displayed. The antarāḷa is 215 cm long and 200 cm wide. Leading to the garbhagṛha, its doorway is flat in design. The garbhagṛha itself measures 180 cm in length and 175 cm in width, housing a simple śivaliṅga at its center

Nandī and śivaliṅga.

A śāḷuṅkā is situated outside the temple, bearing two śivaliṅgas. This śivapiṅdī is reminiscent of the piṅda from Shikhar-Shingnapur. It's probable that this external śivapiṅdī originally belonged inside the temple's garbhagṛha. Additionally, a captivating sculpture of Gajalakṣamī is displayed at the front. Three vīragaḷas can also be observed within the temple grounds.

Sculpture of Gajalakṣamī.

Concluding Remarks: Based on the architectural and sculptural styles, the adjoint Malakeśvara-Māhadeva in Kazad village likely date back to the 15th-16th centuries. However, the maintenance of the temple complex leaves much to be desired. The insufficient lighting has allowed bats to take residence inside. To restore the sanctity and aesthetic of the temple, villagers should modify the structure to allow for better illumination. Also putting tiles in the garbhagṛha should be discouraged. Additionally, the temple grounds, currently overrun by trees, shrubs, and grass, could greatly benefit from regular upkeep. Simple maintenance and care can transform and enhance the beauty of this historic site.