Temples at Nhavi Sandas, Nhavi Sandas

Located 38 km from Pune, on the banks of the Bhima River, is the village of Nhavi-Sandas. Nearby, you can also find the villages of Pimpri-Sandas and Sangvi-Sandas. The term 'Sandas,' which means 'Tong,' is appended to these village names for reasons that are not entirely clear. One possibility is that a rivulet of the Bhima River flows through these villages, giving them this particular name. In Nhavi-Sandas, several temples such as the Mahādeva Temple (coordinates 18.607398, 74.156087), Bhairavanātha Temple (coordinates 18.607096, 74.156979), another Mahādeva Temple (coordinates 18.607197, 74.157006), and the Puṇḍalika Temple (coordinates 18.606949, 74.155048) date back to the late-Marāṭhā period.

Shitole Family: Historically, the village of Nhavi-Sandas was received as an inām (land grant) by the Shitole family in the 18th century. It is believed that this family originally hails from the Sisodia clan of North India. During the periods of various rulers—Nizāmaśāhī, Ādilaśāhī, Mughals, and Marāṭhās—the Shitole family held the title of Deśamukhī in the Pune Paragaṇā. For his valor in the Battle of Purandar, Malojirao II from the Shitole clan was rewarded by Chhatrapati Shahu with several villages near Pune. Nhavi-Sandas might have been one of the villages awarded to the Shitoles for their bravery. In total, around three hundred and fifty villages in the Pune region, including Pashan, Lavale, Vanvadi, Hadapsar, Manjari, and Moshi, were granted as inām to the Shitole family. Approximately 300-350 years ago, the Shitole Deshmukhs were divided into three branches: Narasimha Shitole, Naik Shitole, and Satbhai Shitole.

The main entrance of the fencing wall of the Mahādeva temple.

1. Mahādeva temple: The Mahādeva temple in Nhavi Sandas is a well-preserved example of Marāṭha architecture, centrally located within the village and enclosed by fencing walls. Upon entering, visitors encounter ovarīs, or platformed apartments, at the front of the complex. The temple comprises two main sections: the sabhāmaṇḍapa and the garbhagṛha.

Directly in front of the temple, a statue of Nandī greets visitors in the open air. At the entrance to the sabhāmaṇḍapa, carved Śarabhas adorn both sides. Above the doorway, a sculpture of Gaṇeśa is displayed on the lalāṭa, with a row of bilvapatras situated above it. The sabhāmaṇḍapa itself measures 460 cm in length and 440 cm in width, and features a kūrmaśilpa at its center. A sculpture of Gajalakṣamī is positioned in a corner, although it is suspected that this piece may not originally belong to this temple. Unfortunately, coating work has marred the original features of this sculpture. Another Gaṇeśa sculpture resides in a niche within the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

The garbhagṛha is square-shaped, measuring 272 cm on each side, and houses a central śivaliṅga. A second Gaṇeśa sculpture is placed in a niche on the back wall of this sacred chamber. The śikhara above the temple appears to be of older construction but remains in good condition. The main entrance to the temple complex lies outside its fencing walls and is similarly adorned with carved Śarabhas on both sides. Centered on the lalāṭabimba of this exterior entrance is another sculpture of Gaṇeśa, tying together the temple’s recurring motifs and devotional focus.

Inscription: A nine-lined inscription in Devanāgarī script and Marathi language is at the left side of this entrance. Its lettering is prominent. The inscription is carved on a 37 cm long and 34 cm wide stone slab. Due to heat, wind and rain, some of the words on the left side have faded, while some of the letters have been mutilated. The year of engraving was given in this inscription. But the exact date cannot be stated as precisely as this part has been destroyed. This inscription does not appear to have been read or published anywhere else before. Reading of the inscription:

Śrī Moerśvara ca[aṇī] …..

wāsa: Mambaji su[ta]…

waji Va Bhagawantarao +

Piraji Va Ganoji Si

tole Patil Mauje [Nha]

vi Nijadas: śake [1630]

Vibhava name samvatsare +

Catra Sudha 1 Pratipa[da di]

vasi wowaryā samā[ptī]…..

Interpretation: Moerśvara (Gaṇapatī) has been saluted in the beginning. This family was settled in Kasabā Peṭha in Pune. They also have a wāḍā (palace) there. Besides, there is a Gaṇeśa temple nearby. The above inscription shows the Shitole family’s devotion towards Gaṇeśa. This inscription is also important from a genealogical point of view. It lists five names from the Shitole Patil family: Mambaji, Baji (?), Bhagwantrao, Peeraji, and Ganoji Shitole. Dated to Caitra Śuddha 1 Pratipadā during the Vibhava nāma Samvatsara, the inscription's primary purpose is to commemorate the construction of the temple's owarīs (water reservoirs). What sets this inscription apart is its unique status as the first discovered document providing information about the Shitole Patil family.

A nine-lined inscription on the fencing wall of the Mahādeva temple

2. Bhairavanātha Temple: The Bhairavanātha temple, situated near the Mahādeva temple, is also significant. The temple is enclosed by a prākāra or courtyard, which has a grand eastern entrance. Beside this entrance, there are a satīśiḷā and a dīpamāḷa. Intricately carved on the satīśiḷā are representations of a woman’s hand, signifying her act of satī, as well as a scene where her husband is being carried away by nymphs. Following this, an episode depicting a hero sitting before a śivaliṅga is also portrayed.

The temple layout primarily consists of a large sabhāmaṇḍapa, which measures 605 cm x 593 cm. Upon entering the sabhāmaṇḍapa, one can see śarabhas carved on both sides of the entrance, and a Gaṇeśa sculpture is found on the Gaṇeśapaṭṭi. A row of bilvapatras further decorates the area above the doorway. Inside the sabhāmaṇḍapa, there are four main stambhas (pillars) and 12 ardhastambhas, each standing at 213 cm. The main deities of Bhairavanātha and Jogeśvarī are installed centrally along the western wall of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. In the vicinity of this temple is another significant temple dedicated to Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī. Adding to its prominence, the Bhairavanātha temple was granted 20 acres of land. The temple is currently presided over by Shri Balasaheb Shinde (Gurav), serving as its priest.

3. Another Mahadeva Temple: At the Bhima riverside, there is another temple of Mahādeva beside a road. An image of Nandī is placed in front of the temple. The śikhara of this temple has been destroyed. A small satī temple is adjacent to this temple. There are some stone sculptures in the Mahādeva temple too. The general structure of this temple consists of the sabhāmaṇḍapa and garbhagṛha. There are four pillars in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The structure of the śikharas of sabhāmaṇḍapa and garbhagṛha of this temple is similar to the other two temples. 

A satīśiḷā.

Concluding Remarks: Beyond these temples, the village also houses some samādhīs and a smaller temple dedicated to Puṇḍalika, located near the Bhima River. Given the architectural coherence, it's evident that, excluding the Puṇḍalika temple by the river, all other temples were likely constructed in the same era, specifically the 18th century. Other temples from this period exhibit similar characteristics. Despite the absence of intricate carvings or inscriptions, these temples remain historically significant. As they are approximately three centuries old, they serve as valuable resources for understanding the history of both the Marāṭhās and the Shitole clan. Remarkably, these temples have not been documented extensively in prior records, adding an element of undiscovered heritage to their significance.