There is a village called Narayanpur at a distance of 34 km from Pune city. It is convenient to come here from Sasvad, which is about 12 km away. Situated at the foot of Purandar Fort, the village is currently well-known for its Datta temple. However, there is an ancient and grand temple of Nārāyaṇeśvara (18⁰18’ 04.85” N, 73⁰58’ 29.84” E) in this village, likely dating to the 13th or 14th century CE.

The overall style of Nārāyaṇeśvara temple is unique and different from other temples. The temple is grand in size and rich in carvings. Remarkably, this temple is west-facing while most of the temples are east-facing. There is a bārava (Stepwell) called Candrabhāgā behind the temple. One can access this bārava from all four sides.

The temple of Nārāyaṇeśvara.

Candrabhāgā bārava (Stepwell).

Architecture: The entire temple is enclosed by a fencing wall and has two entrances from the east and west directions. Out of these, the western entrance is the main one. The temple plan includes nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa and garbhagṛha. Presently, there is a fragmented structure in front of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. It might be nandīmaṇḍapa. The roof of the nandīmaṇḍapa and the original Nandī image do not exist anymore.

The ground plan of Nārāyaṇeśvara temple.

The Entrance of the Sabhāmaṇḍapa: Upon entering, one is greeted by the grand entrance of the sabhāmaṇḍapa, which features seven śākhās. In sequence from outside to inside, these śākhās are vyāḷa, stambha, puṣpa, latā, stambha, gaṇa, and ratna. Among them, the central stambhśākhās display miniature sculptures of nṛtyamagna Śiva, Veṇugopāḷa, and dancers.

The entrance is adorned with two lalāṭapaṭṭas. On the lower lalāṭapaṭṭa, a Gaṇeśa sculpture is prominently featured. Above it, five laghuśikharas have been intricately carved. The two śikharas include carvings of Śarabha and vyāḷa. The upper paṭṭa likely showcases a sculpture of Saraswatī, flanked by seven additional laghuśikharas. Within two of these śikharas, different vyāḷa sculptures are carved. The peḍyā displays Nidhī, śaiva dwārapālas, Gaṅgā-Yamunā, cāmaradhāriṇīs, and other attendants. The mandāraka and uduṁbara sections are also highly decorative, featuring two kīrtīmukhas on the uduṁbara. Manjarīs beneath the peḍyā are carved with figures of Bhairava and other deities. Altogether, this elaborately carved entrance is unparalleled in any other temple within the Pune district.

The name 'Cāṅgā Vaṭeśwarāce' is engraved on the ardhastambha at the left side of the entrance. Flanking the entrance are two devakoṣṭhas, which currently contain sculptures of Gaṇeśa. A second entrance to the sabhāmaṇḍapa exists on the right side, where the name 'Acyanta Dhaja' is engraved. This secondary entrance mirrors the design of the main entrance in every detail.

The grand entrance of the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Nṛtyamagna Śiva.

Veṇugopāḷa.

Another entrance to the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Engraved name of Cāṅgā Vaṭeśwarā.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: There are four catuṣkīs of four pillars each in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Due to these four catuṣkīs, a raṅgamaṇḍapa has been formed in the central area. Although the pillars are tall, sculptures are not found on them. The central vitāna of the sabhāmaṇḍapa is carved beautifully.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa.

A catuṣkīs of four pillars.

Vitāna of the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Antarāḷa: After this, comes the antarāḷa portion. It has two images of dwārapālas of five-six feet in height. Then there is the entrance to the garbhagṛha. The sculpture of Gaṇeśa is on its lalāṭapaṭṭa.

Dvārapāla.

Dvārapāla.

Garbhagṛha: After this, we descend some steps to enter the garbhagṛha. A magnificent śivaliṅga is at the centre of the garbhagṛha. There is a sculpture of Pārvatī in the devakoṣhṭha behind this śivaliṅga. A large stone vessel is placed in the garbhagṛha to store the water poured in abhiṣeka.

A śivaliṅga of Nārāyaṇeśvara.

Pārvatī

A large stone vessel

Temple Exterior: The exterior of Nārāyaṇeśvara temple is beautiful and innovative. The exterior is decorated with various geometric designs and carvings. There are three empty devakoṣhṭhas on the exterior of the garbhagṛha from three directions. They might have contained sculptures earlier. It is easily understood after viewing the śikhara of the temple that it is partially restored. Yet it is evident that it must have been built in the Bhūmija style. There are grīvhā, āmalaka, kalaśa at the top of the śikhara. It seems that, during the Marāṭhā period, an attempt was made to decorate this temple.

The exterior of Nārāyaṇeśvara temple.

Devakoṣhṭha.

A śikhara of the temple.

Other Structures: The Nārāyaṇeśvara temple is enclosed by a fencing wall. Some other small shrines such as Rāmeśvara and Dhankeśvara are also on the premises. A beautiful image of Hanumāna is also in this area. During the Kumbha Meḷā, crowds of the Nātha sect halt in this temple for some period. Mahākāleśvara and Datta are other temples near Nārāyaṇeśvara temple. A beautiful satīśiḷā is kept in the Mārutī temple at this place.

Dhankeśvara.

Hanumāna Sculpture 

Satīśiḷā and Mārutī.

Another view of the Nārāyaṇeśvara temple.

Concluding Remarks: An inscription dated 13th century (1285 CE) has been recovered from Narayanpur. Hence, it is likely that the Nārāyaṇeśvara temple originally was built during the time of the Yādava period in the late 13th century CE. This is amongst the most beautiful temples in the Pune district. A temple worth seeing and visiting.