Ganegaon-Khalsa is a village situated on the banks of the ‘Kamini’ river. Located 48 km from Pune and just seven km from Ranjangaon, one of the Aṣṭavināyaka centres, the village boasts a rich history and architecture from the Marāṭhā period. The Pawar family of the Marāṭhā Empire has historical ties to this village. Within its bounds, one can find temples, bāravas, vāḍās (palaces), samādhīs, tulasī vriṅdāvanas, and other ruins. Notably, the temples of Mahādeva, Rokaḍobā, and Bhavānī Mātā receive particular attention and care from the villagers. Here is a brief detail on all these temples.

Mahādeva Temple

1. Mahādeva Temple: Situated at coordinates 18.756658, 74.182876, this east-facing temple hails from the late Marāṭhā period. The temple complex comprises a nandīmaṇḍapa, gūḍhamaṇḍapa, and garbhagṛha. Constructed on a high plinth, the temple is encircled by a protective fencing wall. A tall dīpamāḷa stands in front of the temple. Measuring 335 x 335 cm, the nandīmaṇḍapa houses a central Nandī image. Three steps lead up to the maṇḍapa, providing access to the Nandī.

In close proximity to the nandīmaṇḍapa, two additional smaller Nandī sculptures and a śivaliṅga are placed. Moving forward, one can reach the temple entrance by ascending four steps. The lalāṭabimba above the doorway features a carved Gaṇeśa sculpture, and a kīrtīmukha is carved on the threshold. Additionally, a row of bilvapatras is engraved above the door.

The gūḍhamaṇḍapa of the temple measures 650 cm in length and 630 cm in width, distinguishing it from the gūḍhamaṇḍapas found in other temples. This maṇḍapa features four pillars, each 225 cm in height, positioned at the four corners rather than at the center. These pillars support the tapering roof of the maṇḍapa. Additionally, there are 12 ardhastambhas and eight niches within the gūḍhamaṇḍapa. At its center, a kūrmaśilpa is carved on a small square that measures 140 x 140 cm. For illumination, two transverse ventilators are placed on the eastern wall of the maṇḍapa. Above the doorway of the garbhagṛha, the lalāṭabimba features a Gaṇeśa sculpture, and a latāśākhā is also carved.

The garbhagṛha is relatively deep, and one can reach the śivaliṅga by descending five steps. The dimensions of the garbhagṛha are 335 x 335 cm, and its walls feature seven niches. To illuminate the interior, ventilators have been installed in the northern and southern walls. The vitāna above the garbhagṛha tapers upwards. The exterior of the temple is devoid of carvings. Adjacent to the garbhagṛha, there is a gāyamukha to the north. The abhiṣeka water offered to Mahādeva flows out from this feature. While the brick śikhara of the temple remains in its original form, it has undergone restoration in recent times.

Nandī

Another Nandī.

An entrance to the gūḍhamaṇḍapa.

2. Bhavānī Mātā Temple: On the south of the Mahādeva temple, there is a temple of Bhavānī Mātā (18.756495, 74.182863). The villagers have demolished the original stone temple and built a new cement temple instead of it, another example of how heritage is being destroyed unwittingly. But the villagers say that the marble image of Mahiṣāsuramardinī in the garbhagṛha of the new temple is in its original form. It must be at least 100-200 years old.

There is a Devanāgarī inscription of nine lines in the hall built recently in front of the temple. An 85 cm high and 60 cm wide slab has the sun and moon carved in the upper part. Earlier there was also a slab with a cow-calf. It is said that it may have been buried in the new construction of the temple.

Bhavānī Mātā temple.

A Devanāgarī inscription.

3. Rokaḍobā or Hanumāna Temple: The east-facing temple of Rokaḍobā or Hanumāna is in front of the Bhavānī temple (18.756414, 74.182909). Since long back, 65 acres of land have been donated to this temple. The image of Hanumāna is kept at the backside in the temple hall. Also, a modern sculpture of Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī is on one side and a nāgaśilpa, is on the other side. The length of the sabhāmaṇḍapa is 740 cm and the width is 545 cm. There are eight stambhas and 10 ardhastambhas in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The temple has a small śikhara. It may have been built recently. A tall dīpamāḷa is standing in front of the temple at a distance.

Rokaḍobā (Hanumāna), temple.

Hanumāna

The sabhāmaṇḍapa of the Rokaḍobā temple.

4. Tukeśvara Temple: To the north of the village, on the Morācī-Chincholi road, the east-facing temple of Tukeśvara (18.759069, 74.183924) stands on a high plinth on the bank of river ‘Kamini’. At present nandīmaṇḍapa is not visible in front of the temple. One can reach the sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple by climbing six steps. There are two columns in the facade of the maṇḍapa. The sabhāmaṇḍapa is 630 cm long and 500 cm wide. The antarāḷa is 175 cm long and 252 cm wide. The garbhagṛha is simple and measures 338 (length) x 335 (width) cm. The śivaliṅga is in the centre of the garbhagṛha. The roofs of the garbhagṛha and sabhāmaṇḍapa are tapering upward. The exterior of the temple is simple. The temple’s original śikhara is slightly painted. 

5. Dharmanātha’s Temple: The temple, located at coordinates 18.763671, 74.188168, is situated in a government forest area on a hillock along Waghale Road. The name of the temple comes from a Nātha yogi called Dharmanātha.  Therefor the temple is associated with the Nātha sect, and the Nātha sectarian center, Pimpri-Dumala, is in close proximity to Ganegaon. The sabhāmaṇḍapa measures 300 x 300 cm and features two slabs placed against the central wall, which are worshipped as Dharmanātha. The temple is topped with a Marāṭhā-period śikhara. A unique aspect of the Dharmanāth temple is the presence of numerous stones naturally scattered near the temple premises. Additionally, microliths can be found on the temple grounds, suggesting that the site was once inhabited by prehistoric humans

6. Vajrāīmātā Temple: Besides, there is Vajrāīmātā temple (18.755173, 74.182277) on the Shikrapur-Malthan road, located to the south of the village. The temple houses an image of Mahiṣāsuramardinī. Currently, the image is adorned with a brass mask. Pādukās are placed in front of the temple. Across the Shikrapur-Malthan road (18.756726, 74.181282) are two twin samādhīs. These likely belong to individuals from the Pawar family and feature some carvings. In front of these samādhīs is a bārava (18.756520, 74.181733). The water in this bārava is well-maintained and serves as the water supply for the entire village. Nearby, a tulasī vriṅdāvana is also visible. It is believed to be associated with a woman from the Pawar family.

Concluding Remarks:  Ganegaon-Khalsa village appears to have been a significant hub during the Marāṭhā period, as evidenced by the now-leveled palace of the Pawar family. The ruins of this palace can still be glimpsed in an area known as 'Panḍharī.' Adding another layer of historical depth, the village also holds connections to the Nātha sect, likely attracting visits from Nātha-yogīs of Navanātha Jhunḍa. As for the religious structures in the village, the temple of Bhavānī Mātā has undergone a controversial transformation. The original stone temple was demolished, replaced by a cement structure. While this new temple might serve immediate needs, its long-term durability is in question. This raises concerns about the preservation of heritage, emphasizing the need for future efforts to maintain the village's remaining temples.

In terms of local religious leadership, Shri Yogesh Sasane, belonging to the Sutāra (Pāñcāḷa) caste, serves as the priest for both the Rokaḍobā and Mahādeva temples. His family has managed these temples' worship rituals for two generations, taking over from the earlier Takalkar family, who were Marāṭhās.