There is a village called Lasurne 22 km from Baramati on the Indapur-Baramati road. This area is also famous by the name ‘Junction’ due to the main roads intersecting here. In village Lasurne, Nīlakaṇṭheśvara (18.087484, 74.763578) and Jaṭeśvara (18.086574, 74.764324) are two temples worth mentioning both belonging to Maratha era. Except these, there are the Śanī temple, an unknown dilapidated temple, a Mārutī temple, and a Digambara Jain temple in the village.

Nīlakaṇṭheśvara temple

Nīlakaṇṭheśvara Temple: The east-facing Nīlakaṇṭheśvara temple is simple, and its plan includes nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha. Also, the temple is surrounded by fencing walls. One can enter the temple from the east, west, and south sides. The eastern entrance is the larger of all. There is also a staircase leading up to it.

Nandīmaṇḍapa

There are two Nandīs installed in the nandīmaṇḍapa and two dīpamāḷas on either side. The sabhāmaṇḍapa is simple and contains four flat stone pūrṇastambhas in the center.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa

We enter the garbhagṛha from antarāḷa. The entrance to the garbhagṛha is simple, and there is a Gaṇeśa sculpture on the lalāṭabimba. A śivaliṅga is in the center of the garbhagṛha. It is probably not the original liṅga as an older mutilated liṅga is placed outside the temple.

Antarāḷa

Mutilated liṅga.

Loose Sculpture: On the temple premises, two vīragaḷas, a satīśiḷā, and a pādukā are present. The exterior of the temple maintains a simple design, and the śikhara has been recently constructed. Behind the temple lies a bārava or well, on the wall of which an inscription is engraved, tentatively dated to śaka 1791. Additionally, a more recent inscription has been added by the villagers, indicating the well's renovation completed on July 24, 1968. This later inscription begins with the words ‘Rāma-Rāma’, followed by ‘Vihīra-Durustī’—indicating the repair of the well—and the date of completion.

Temple in ruin.

Unknown Ruined Temple: Another Marāṭhā period temple is to the south of the Nīlakaṇṭheśvara temple. This temple structure is partially ruined. Since there is no proper road to it, and due to the growth of bushes, it is impossible to reach there.

Jaṭeśvara Temple: The temple is located approximately 500 m from the Nīlakaṇṭheśvara temple and is constructed on a raised plinth. The sanctum houses a śivaliṅga, with a Nandī positioned in front of it. In addition, the garbhagṛha contains images of Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī. Surrounding the main area, one can find two vīragaḷas, a pādukā, and a sculpture of Gajalakṣamī.

The vitāna of the temple has a tapering upward design. Four small śikharas are situated at the corners, with a taller, central śikhara dominating the skyline. This central structure is adorned with small kalaśas, arranged around the main kalaśa to enhance its beauty. The śikhara also features additional sculptures, making it a unique architectural element not commonly found elsewhere.

The Jaṭeśwara temple.

The images of Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī.

Concluding Remarks: From their structure, both Nīlakaṇṭheśvara and Jaṭeśvara temples seem to belong to the Marāṭhā period. The villagers have maintained the temples well.