The village of Nirvangi, situated 25 km from Indapur in the Pune district, takes its name from the Nira River, a tributary of the Bhima. Located on the left bank of this river is the Nandīkeśvara Temple, an ancient edifice constructed in the 13th-14th century. A significant part of the temple is buried underground, concealing its lower structure.

Within the temple premises, a grand Nandī statue captures attention. This Nandī is believed to be associated with Mahādeva at Shikhar Shinganapur. Architecturally, the temple is constructed in the Bhūmija style. Notably, it's among the few temples in the Pune district that have preserved Bhūmija-style śikharas. While comprehensive information about the temple has yet to be published, it still remains in good condition.

Nandīkeśvara temple.

Architecture: The temple's general structure includes nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha. The nandīmaṇḍapa houses a massive Nandī image, which is 434 X 434 cm in size. The original brick śikhara on the nandīmaṇḍapa is still intact, but some construction work was done between the nandīmaṇḍapa and sabhāmaṇḍapa during the British period.

The Nandīmaṇḍapa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: The sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple is 597 cm wide and 616 cm long, with beautiful gavākṣas on both sides of the facade. The entrance is located in the centre of these gavākṣas and has three dvāraśākhās. The peḍyā has sculptures of nidhī, śaiva dvārapālas, and Gaṅgā-Yamunā, while a Gaṇeśa sculpture is on the lalāṭapaṭṭa. Five śikharas are on the uttrāṅga. A Devanāgarī inscription of six lines is carved on a stone plate above the entrance, but the year or date is not mentioned.

A doorway to the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

The raṅgamaṇḍapa in the sabhāmaṇḍapa is 282 X 282 cm in size, and the height of the stamps is 220 cm. Some kīrtīmukhas and Sugrīva-Vālī combat sculptures are carved on the stambhas. The sabhāmaṇḍapa has four empty devakoṣhṭhas, some of which have sculptures of Gaṇeśa and śivaliṅgas. One of the devakoṣhṭhas has nidhīs, śaiva dvārapālas, and river sculptures carved like an entrance. 

The antarāḷa of the temple is 226 cm wide and 206 cm long, leading to the garbhagṛha, which houses a 230 X 230 cm sized śivaliṅga. The garbhagṛha's entrance has three dvāraśākhās, and the peḍyā has sculptures of nidhīs, śaiva dvārapālas, river sculptures, and a Gaṇeśa sculpture on the lalāṭapaṭṭa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa

Sugrīva-Vālī combat

Exterior: The exterior of the Nandīkeśvara temple is simple, with three devakoṣhṭhas on the exterior of garbhagṛha from all three sides. The temple's brick śikhara of pañcabhūma type is in its original state, with beautiful flower decorations on the creepers around it. The grīvhā, āmalaka, and kalaśa parts of the śikhara are visible, and there is a small śikhara on the sabhāmaṇḍapa. However, the śukanāsikā adjacent to the śikhara is not visible.

Details of the śikhara.

Another view of the temple

Concluding Remarks: Although the Nandīkeśvara temple is a beautiful example that has survived in the Bhūmija style, unscientific restoration work is currently being carried out in the name of restoration and leak prevention. Attempts are being made to strengthen the śikhara with cement without considering its original art or carvings. Therefore, the State Archeology Department should take care of this beautiful temple and preserve it scientifically.