Nageshvar temple, Patas

Kasba Patas (18.433432; 74.464883) is a historical town in the Daund tehsil, about 67 km from Pune city. Patas can be reached by the Pune-Solapur highway and Pune-Daund railway. It is believed that the name Patas came from the Marathi word – Pāṭha which means back. Since the core settlement of the town is in the backside of Nāgeśvara temple and the Hanumāna temple towards the west of the town; it came to be recognized as Patas. There is a lake towards the south of the town.

About the temple: The east-facing Nāgeśvara temple roughly belongs to the 14th-15th century CE and is located east of Patas town. Nāgeśvara Śiva is considered the tutelary deity of the Patas town. From the observations, it can be inferred that the temple was completely renovated in the Marāṭhā period, and a strong enclosure wall was built around it. The remains of the original temple still exist at the site. The main entrance to the temple premises is from the west through the enclosure wall. It is big and bears the Gaṇapatī sculpture at the center of the arch. There are altogether ten various sculptures comprising of Hanumāna, Garuḍa, Vyāḷa, etc., flanking the Gaṇapatī sculpture. These sculptures are embellished with floral, arched design patterns.

Nagārkhānā (drum house) is above the entrance arch, and minarets top it. After entering the arched entrance, there are niche cum rooms on both sides. These niches are embellished with 46 sculptures in the upper parts. Those 46 sculptures comprise of wrestling scene, Hanumāna, Viṣṇu, Śeṣaśāyī Viṣṇu, various deities, mace-holding and vina-holding figures, saintly figures, musicians, Yogīs, etc. There is a floral design in between those sculptures. On the pillars from the niches, there are pun/composite sculptures such as camel/ Śarabha, elephant-peacock-fish, Vyāḷa-human, two peacocks, monkey-dog, elephants, etc. accompanied by floral designs. There are aediculae for deities inside the niche cum rooms.

Nageshvar temple

Main entrance to the temple premises

Architecture: The Nāgeśvara temple is at the center of the enclosure walls. The temple plan is as follows: sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa (passage), and garbhagṛha (sanctum). There is an additional maṇḍapa built in recent times in front of the temple and contains a Nandī sculpture within. Perhaps there was nandīmaṇḍapa originally in the place of this new maṇḍapa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: The entrance to the sabhāmaṇḍapa is flanked by two half-pillars and two aediculae. These aediculae serve as abodes for Śarabha sculptures. The half-pillar on the left side features a notable pun sculpture, incorporating three human figures in its design. The original doorjamb of the maṇḍapa entrance remains intact and is ornamented with finely crafted sculptures, including those of Bhairava, Dvārpāla, Gaṅgā-Yamunā, and a Chauri-bearer. Above, the lintel is graced by a Gaṇapatī, while the threshold below is adorned with a trio of kīrtīmukhas. Brass foil embellishes the headwall, elevating the overall aesthetic.

Dimensionally, the sabhāmaṇḍapa measures 5.70 x 4.30 meters. It does not feature free-standing pillars, but rather relies on eight pilasters integrated into the walls for structural support. Within the maṇḍapa are four aediculae, two of which contain Gaṇapatī sculptures, and the remaining two feature Bhairava and Devī sculptures. Contributing to the architectural beauty is the concave ceiling, in the center of which a lotus is carved. An additional doorway is located to the north of the sabhāmaṇḍapa, providing another means of access to this sacred space.

Garbhagṛha: While entering the garbhagṛha through antarāḷa, two heroes are flanking the entrance. The heroes carved are depicted with shield-sword; one has a dagger tied to his waist. The entrance of the garbhagṛha has Gaṇapatī on its lintel and kīrtīmukha on the threshold. Garbhagṛha is simple and is 2.50 x 2.56 meters in dimensions. A śivaliṅga is installed in the center of the sanctum. The aedicula in the back wall of the sanctum is currently used to keep the mask of Nāgeśvara.

The outer walls of the sabhāmaṇḍapa are not much decorated, and the superstructure also seems to be quite new.

Superstructure of the temple.

Loose Stones: There are hero stones, Satī–stones, snake sculptures, and sculptures of various deities kept under the Peepal tree to the south of the temple. The total number of hero-stones is six, and Satī-stones are four in number. A beautiful depiction of horse-riding warriors is in action on one of the hero stones. The dead hero-warrior is depicted seated in a special palanquin while ascending the heaven. Another hero stone depicts a cattle-raid scene and the hero is depicted to have died fighting in protecting the cattle. The Satī-stones there are worth noticing as well. On two of the Satī-stones, Satīs is depicted seated on horses and giving away the insignia items of a married woman and of a Satī. There are burials of some ascetics as well in the temple premises.

Satī and hero stones.

Satī and hero stones.

Additional information: On the significant occasions of Mahāśivarātrī and the full moon day in the month of Kārtika, the Nāgeśvara temple becomes a hub of spiritual fervor. The Kārtika Pūrnimā, or full moon day, is especially marked by the palanquin procession of Nāgeśvara Śiva, drawing devotees from far and wide. Moreover, during the pilgrimage to Pandharpur in the month of Āṣāḍha, the palanquin of the revered saint Tukārām makes a stop at this temple, adding to its significance in the realm of regional spirituality.

As for the town of Patas, it was administered by the Shitole family, who reside in an expansive mansion known as Shitole Deshmukh. The architecture of the mansion reveals a blend of stone and brick construction. An added touch of elegance is present in the entrance arch, where windows are adorned with Bel (Aegle marmelos) leaf motifs. The wooden pillars within the mansion are not left untouched; they too are finely decorated, showcasing the aesthetic tastes and cultural richness of the area.