About Temple

Soneśvar Mahādeva temple is a restored east-facing temple with antarāḷa and garbhagṛha, houses a sacred śivalinga and a devakoṣhṭha with a Viṣṇu image. At the same time, Bhairavanāth temple is an early 19th-century temple recently restored by villagers. It reflects the influence of Gurū Haribua, the esteemed Nātha guru of the region.

Time Period

15th-16th & 19th century CE

Patron

Nizamshahi

Deity

Shiva, Bhairava

Location

Pandare

The restored east-facing Soneśvar Mahādeva temple is located north of the village Pandare, situated across the Baramati-Nira road. Currently, the temple comprises only an antarāḷa and a garbhagṛha. The dimensions of the antarāḷa are 200 x 200 cm, featuring four pilasters at its corners. The garbhagṛha measures 200 cm in length and 190 cm in width. A śivalinga occupies the centre of the garbhagṛha, while a devakoṣhṭha at the back houses an image of Viṣṇu. Nandī is positioned in front of the temple.

Soneshvar Mahādeva temple

Soneshvar Mahādeva temple

Bārava: There is a huge bārava (stepwell) north of the temple. It has steps to get down from the west. There is a legend that the Matsyeṅdranātha and Gorakṣanātha of the Nātha sect used to go to the Dāval Malik temple after having a bath in this bārava. The temple has a land of 1 acre. Presently, the villagers are repairing this temple. There is also a dargah of Gaibi Pīr nearby. Gaibi Pīr is said to be associated with the Nātha sect. Due to the overall architectural style of this temple, it should belong to the 15th century CE like other temples of this village.

Bārava (stepwell)

Bārava (stepwell)

Bhairavanātha Temple (18.138713, 74.463930): At the center of the village Pandare, there is an early 19th-century CE Bhairavanātha temple. The villagers have restored it once again this year. The Bhairavanātha temple stands on a raised plinth. The temple has a mukhamanḍapa and garbhagṛha. The mukhamanḍapa contains two Maratha-style pillars and two pilasters. They have arches above. The image of Bhairavanātha is in the garbhagṛha.

The Bhairavanātha temple

Bhairavanātha temple

Bhairavanātha is in the garbhagṛha.

Bhairavanātha is in the garbhagṛha.

The Bhairavanātha temple

Bhairavanātha temple: Another View

Additional Information:  A column has been created in the premises by placing two sarvatobhadra vīrgaḷas one above the other. Sculptures of Cāmunḍā and Nāga are kept close by. A dīpamāḷa and a tulasī vriṅdāvana are visible on the temple premises. According to a local inscription, Haribua, the Gurū of Narayanbua (a local saint), had removed the old temple and built a new one. It is also recorded that the cost of this temple construction was Rs. 12,000/-. There is also a record that the installation of Śrī Bhairavanātha has taken place on Jyeṣṭha Śukla 5, Sunday Śaka 1836. A photograph of Haribua is fixed in the garbhagṛha. It seems that he has left a significant influence in this area. There is even a temple in this village dedicated to him. It has a modern śikhara and sculptures of Nātha yogīs on all four sides. There is a door in the fencing wall of the Bhairavanātha temple but now it has been restored. The remarkable thing is that the villagers have removed the paint applied to this temple and the images. Thus, many of the old sculptures and the temple are visible now.

About Temple

Soneśvar Mahādeva temple is a restored east-facing temple with antarāḷa and garbhagṛha, houses a sacred śivalinga and a devakoṣhṭha with a Viṣṇu image. At the same time, Bhairavanāth temple is an early 19th-century temple recently restored by villagers. It reflects the influence of Gurū Haribua, the esteemed Nātha guru of the region.

Time Period

15th-16th & 19th century CE

Patron

Nizamshahi

Deity

Shiva, Bhairava

Location

Pandare

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