Temples of Manjari Budruk & Khurd, Manjari Khurd & Budruk

The villages of Manjari Budruk and Manjari Khurd lie along the banks of the Mula-Mutha river, about 17 km from the heart of Pune city. Both villages have been incorporated into the Pune Municipal Corporation, owing to the city's expanding urban landscape. Each village houses remains of medieval temples near the riverbanks. In Manjari Budruk, several temples are dedicated to various deities: Manjarāī Devī, Śiva, Vira Mhaskobānātha, Hanumāna, and Kāniphanātha. The village also contains an assortment of historical artifacts, such as sculptures, vīrgaḷas, and ass-curses. Here is a list of some of the old temples. 

1. Manjarāī Devī: The temple of Manjarāī Devī is simplistic in design, featuring a modern statue of the goddess in its garbhagṛha. This deity is generally perceived as a form of Mahishasurmardini. The temple's sabhāmaṇḍapa is supported by stone pillars. Given its architectural style, experts date the temple to the 18th-19th century CE. A dīpamāḷa stands before the temple, and Navrātrī is marked by a large festival.

2. Śiva temple: Close to the riverbank, the Śiva temple stands, albeit in a state of disrepair, likely a consequence of river flooding. Despite this, the temple's garbhagṛha and sabhāmaṇḍapa have endured.

3. Hanumāna temple: A small temple dedicated to Hanumāna. Within the temple one finds a range of sculptures, including Gajalakṣmī, Hanumāna, Gajaśilpa, and vīrgaḷa. 

4. Kāniphanātha temple: Lastly, the Kāniphanātha temple is small and consists of only a garbhagṛha, which contains a turabat (tomb). Architectural evidence suggests the temple was constructed in the 18th century CE. Nearby, additional samādhīs are present, which are believed to belong to Nāth-yogis.

Temple of Kāniphanātha

A turabat (tomb)

If one enters through the bastioned doorway of the village Manjari Budruk, some old images are seen lying around. Among those, a sculpture of Yoga Narasiṃha is unique. The head of Narasiṃha is destroyed. He is seated with crossed legs, and his weapons śankha and chakra, are seen around. There is a yajñopavita around the neck of the image. Artistically, this sculpture should belong to the 14th-15th century CE.

A sculpture of Yoga Narasiṃha

Temples at Manjari Khurd: 

1. Śiva temple: There is a Śiva temple in the village of Manjari Khurd, and a Nandī is visible in front of it. A samādhī and a sculpture of a person with a trident (probably Śiva) are visible on the temple premises. There is a beautiful image of a yogi in samādhī seated in padmāsana. Also, an old śivalinga is placed on the temple premises.

2. Khanḍobā temple: There is a temple of Khanḍobā at some distance on the opposite side of the temple.

A Nandī in front of Shiva temple at Manjari Khurd.

A yogi in samādhī seated in padmāsana at the Śiva Temple 

Concluding Remarks: The area around the river bed reflects the medieval architecture. It can also be seen that the Nāth sect was popular in this area during medieval times. With the rapid urbanisation, its only a matter of time when all these temple remains will make way for modern construction. Thus such kind of small documentaiton is important for posterity purposes.