Uttareshvar temple, Talegaon-Dhamdhere

Among the multipel temples that we have documented in this historic town of Talegaon-Dhamdhere, the Uttareśvara temple (18.669377, 74.153700) is the oldes. According to the inscription on this temple, it was built in 1708 CE. This tridal-type temple is located outside the village on the banks of the river Velu. It is easily accessible from Śrinātha temple or Gaṇapatī temple. Since Uttareśvara temple is the private temple of the Mahajan family, it is kept locked. But it can be visited by taking the key from the present priest Śrī Ravindra Baban Guruv.

Uttareśvara temple

Architecture: The general plan of the temple includes nandīmaṇḍapa, mukhamaṇḍapa/upasabhāmaṇḍapa, gūḍhamaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, garbhagṛha and two additional upagarbhagṛhas. 

Upon entering through the temple's grand doorway, which has been restored to include two vīragaḷas and additional sculptures on its wall, the first things to come into view are a tulasī vriṅdāvana measuring 250 x 250 cm, and three vīragaḷas. This vriṅdāvana features various engravings and sculptures including those of Gaṇeśa, Hanumāna, Garuḍa, Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa, and floral motifs. Two other samādhīs are also present in this immediate vicinity.

Nandīmaṇḍapa: As you proceed further, the nandīmaṇḍapa comes into view. It measures 380 x 380 cm and has a centrally placed sculpture of Nandī. Surrounding Nandī are four pillars, each 220 cm high. Adjacent to the nandīmaṇḍapa is an area resembling a mukhamaṇḍapa, measuring 177 cm in length and 663 cm in width. This area features a prominently placed sculpture of Gaṇeśa on a pedestal. On the opposite side, a sculpture of Hanumāna is carved on a stambha.

A tulasī vriṅdāvana

Gaṇḍabheruṇḍa and floral motifs

A large sculpture of Gaṇeśa

Gūḍhamaṇḍapa: After that, one can enter inside by crossing the entrance of gūḍhamaṇḍapa. At the entrance of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa, there is a kīrtīmukha in the center above the lalāṭabimba and a Sanskrit inscription is carved on both sides of it. The first part of this inscription is on a stele measuring 14 cm high and 26 cm long. At the same time, the second part is carved on a 14 cm long and 28 cm wide slab. Both parts have four lines each. Its first half was read by Mr. Pandurang Narasimha Patwardhan earlier. It has been read as follows:

Śrī śake 1630 sarva

dharī samvatsare dakṣi

ṇāyane kārtīka māse śu

kla pakṣe prati (pādāyāṁ)

The gūḍhamaṇḍapa is 600 cm long and 630 cm wide in size. The maṇḍapa has four pūrṇastambhas and 12 ardhastambhas. It also has two empty upa-garbhagṛhas on its left and right sides. They might have had images of other gods and goddesses earlier. Since there are no jālavātāyanas in the gūḍhamaṇḍapa, the interior is always dark. Therefore, the villagers have bored in the main vitāna to facilitate the light. The height of the pillars in gūḍhamaṇḍapa is 251 cm.The 235 cm long and 264 cm wide antarāḷa appears after the gūḍhamaṇḍapa.

Garbhagṛha: As you transition from the antarāḷa to the garbhagṛha, you encounter a rather straightforward entrance adorned with a stambhaśākhā. Above the doorframe, a sculpture of Gaṇeśa graces the lalāṭabimba, while a kīrtīmukha is finely carved on the uduṁbara. Just in front of the doorway, a Candraśiḷā is situated.

The garbhagṛha itself measures 275 x 275 cm and houses a prominent śivaliṅga at its core. A specially designed channel allows water to flow from the inner sanctum towards the river to the north. In the space behind the śivaliṅga is an empty devakoṣhṭha, likely intended for illumination; it's possible that it once held an idol or image. Special niches have been crafted within the walls to store ritual items for pūjā. Additionally, a stone jar is present, serving as a reservoir for the abhiṣeka water.

Śikhara: The towering and majestic śikhara of the temple is very beautiful. Marāṭhā style images in fresco have been created on the śikhara. The structure of the śikharas of Uttareśvara temple and Gaṇapatī temples are quite similar.

Another view of inscription

Gūḍhamaṇḍapa

Kīrtīmukha

A large śivaliṅga

Śikhara of the temple

Concluding Remarks: The Uttareśvara temple stands as a significant monument to the Marāṭhā architectural style of the early 18th century CE. Given that few temples from this period have survived, it provides valuable insights into the era. This was a time post-Aurangzeb, under the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, grandson of Shivaji Maharaj and son of Sambhaji Maharaj.

An inscription on the temple further enhances its importance, offering key data for dating. However, the temple is currently in a state of neglect. Monsoonal vegetation encroaches upon the premises, and water seepage threatens the structural integrity of the walls. Immediate attention from the Śrī Uttareśvara Devasthān trust and local villagers is essential to address these issues. Preservation of the Uttareśvara temple, along with other temples in the village, could significantly boost religious tourism and pilgrimage activities. Given the proximity of Pune, a major city just 34 km away, there is enormous potential for growth in the religious tourism sector.