Vagheshvar Temple, Malad

The Vāgheśvara temple (18.133813, 74.573879) is located in what was once the Malad village but has now become part of Baramati City. Dedicated to God Śiva, this east-facing temple stands on the right bank of the River Karha. The temple is 1.5 km south of the Baramati Bus Stand and 101 km from Pune City. Shri. Shankar Dattatray Gade (Gurav) serves as the priest. The temple remains in good condition. While there is no specific legend associated with the temple, it is believed that 12 Jyōtirliṅgas, including Vāgheśvara, are located along the banks of the Karha River. Documentation on this temple appears to be limited. This temple belongs to the 14th-15th century, with restoration work carried on during later periods.

Vāgheśvara temple.

Architecture: Being sculpture-rich, Vāgheśvara temple is an important temple. Though it looks ordinary, it has many sculptures of gods-goddesses and ascetics in the temple. The general plan consists of nandīmaṇḍapa, gūḍhamaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha. A dīpamāḷa is standing in front of the temple. 

Nandīmaṇḍapa/Vahan maṇḍapa: The nandīmaṇḍapa has four pillars with an image of Nandī in the center. Interestingly, some sculptures are carved on the pillars of the nandīmaṇḍapa. Also, this maṇḍapa has been connected with the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Nandīmaṇḍapa and joined area to the hall are measured 247 cm (l) X 260 cm (b).

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: The sabhāmaṇḍapa (603 X 587 cm) has kakṣāsana and several sculptures are carved on its pillars and outside. One has to pass through a corridor while entering the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Two sword bearers dwārapālas have been carved in this corridor. There are a total of four carved pillars in the Sabhamaṇḍapa. Various sculptures are carved in the middle of the pillars. Also, there are ten ardhastambhas in sabhamaṇḍapa. The vitāna in the centre of the maṇḍapa is simple. Other vitānas are also flat and simple. There are a total of four devakoṣhṭhas in sabhamaṇḍapa. The columns are carved. The columns consist of pillar-base stone, a rectangular vertical section followed by a square central portion, an incised octagonal section, a tapering round section, a vase-like section, and, above all, a bhāravāhaka. The general height of the stambhas is 211 cm. The temple's antarāḷa (205 X 207 cm) is of ordinary type. Rangamandapa of the temple is measured (280 X 272 cm). The height of the pillars is 220 cm.

Garbhgriha: The door of the garbhagṛha (211 X 211 cm) is having pañcaśākhās. They include latā, gaṇa, stambha, puṣpa and vyāḷa śākhās. Gaṇeśa is on the lalāṭabimba. Sculptures of nidhī, śaiva dvārapāla, Gaṅgā-Yamunā, cāmaradhāriṇī are carved on the peḍyās. Two kīrtīmukhas are carved on the udumbara.

There are ardhastambhas on all four sides of the garbhagṛha and the śivaliṅga is in the centre. The vitāna of the garbhagṛha is simple. The temple's exterior is simple, with no carving or decoration visible. It seems that the śikhara has been restored during the Marāṭhā period. Now it has given color. The temple has a fencing wall. The main entrance of the temple complex is simple. An ordinary dīpamāḷa is on the temple premises. As the Karha River flows nearby, there should be no bārava here.

A ground plan of the Vāgheśvara temple.

Nandīmaṇḍapa

Sabhamaṇḍapa.

The entrance of garbhagṛha.

Iconographical description: Several sculptures are carved on stambhas in sabhamaṇḍapa, nandīmaṇḍapa, kakṣāsana, of Vāgheśvara temple. They give an idea of contemporary religious life. Some of these sculptures are of a rare kind. The order of description of the sculptures on the pillars is considered along with pradakṣiṇāpatha. Accordingly, the eastern side and then the south, west, and north sides have been placed in order. The area of the stambhas on which the sculptures are carved is generally 22 cm high and 36 cm wide. At some places, this shape appears to be 24 cm high and 36 cm wide.

Stambhas in nandīmaṇḍapa

Stambha no. 1: A Kīrtīmukha is carved on the east and south sides of this pillar, Bhadrakālī or Bhairavī on the west and Cāmunḍā on the north.

Stambha no. 2: There is a garland bearer on the east side of this pillar, and a gemstone is carved on the south. The west side is covered, while a musician is carved on the north.

Stambha no. 3: To the east of this pillar is a scene of two yogīs discussing. One should be the Gurū, and the other should be a disciple. There is another yogī in the south. A gemstone is carved on the west. A sculpture of Yogaviṣṇu is on the north side. 

Stambha no. 4: There are two yogīs depicted as busy in discussion on the east. On the southern side probably, Matsyendranātha is carved. A fish-like figure is seen below. Another yogī has seated before. Perhaps he is preaching to that yogī. A Nātha-Yogī with one leg spread is shown to the west. A staff is shown behind him. A Nātha-yogī is also carved in the north.

A scene of two yogīs (or Siddhas) discussing (Stambha No.3).

Stambha No. 4: A scene of two yogīs having a discussion. (On the southern (left) side, probably Matsyendranātha.)

Pillar No. 4: A Nātha-Yogī with one leg spread and a staff seated with another yogi is shown to the west.

Ardhastambhas in the Kakṣāsana
Vamana Stambha no. 1 (Ardhastambha on the south): A Kīrtīmukha is carved on the east of this ardhastambha. A yogī seated in padmāsana and dhyānamudrā is carved on the south, while another yogī is shown in Jnānamudrā at the west. A haṭhayogī is shown on the north side.

A yogi on the Vaman stambha No. 1.

A yogi on the Vaman stambha No. 1.

A haṭhayogī on a Vamana stambha No. 1.

Vamana Stambha no. 2 (Vamana stambha on the north): On the east of this stambha, is a yogī carved holding his hand on his ear. A battle scene between Hanumāna and Indrajīta is shown in the south. At the same time, the wrestling scene between Sugrīva-Vālī is depicted to the West. A composite sculpture is on the north, in which three persons are shown with four legs.

Vaman stambha No. 2: A yogī carved holding his hand on his ear.

The external part of kakṣāsana Southern Portion (Left to Right): Various sculptures of yogīs are carved on the upper side. Then the gajathara is carved. And an erotic sculpture (kāmaśilpa) is carved below, on one side.
Northern Side (Left to Right): Sculptures of yogī, kāmaśilpas, paśu maithuna, and couples are carved on top. The gajathara is below. A kāmaśilpa is carved below on one side.

Erotic sculptures on Kakshasana.

Yogis on the outside portion of kakshasana.

Images in Sabhāmaṇḍapa: The four pillars of the sabhahamaṇḍapa are numbered. Out of those, the southern front pillar is called No. 1, while the rear pillar on the south side is addressed as pillar no. 2. The rear pillar on the north side is pillar no. 3, while the next pillar on the north side is called pillar no. 4.

Stambha no. 1: On the eastern side of this pillar, Gaja and vyāḷa are carved. A battle scene between vyāḷa a person is carved on the south. The West depicts a fight between an elephant and a person. It is probably a sculpture of Kriṣṇa, in which he is breaking the tusk of the elephant named Kuvalayapiḍa. There are two vyāḷas/lions in the north. Saraswatī is carved below in the middle of the pillar. She is four-armed. Accompanied by a flute player.

Stambha no. 2: On the eastern part of this pillar, there are number of sculpture as shown below. 

Sīta offering alms to Ravaṇa.

A view of Sīta and Hanumāna in the Ashoka Vāṭikā

A scene of the Mārica vadha on the southern side.

Śiva and Pārvatī playing sāripāṭa (Cousara – a game of dice), on the north side.

Stambha no. 3.: There is a battle scene from Rāmāyaṇa on the east. Wrestling is shown in the South. To the west is shown a garland holder. The conflict between Kānha and Bahuḍī is shown in the north.

A conflict between Kānha and Bahuḍī.

Stambha no. 4: A kīrtīmukha is carved on the eastern side, a peacock is on the southern side, two peacocks on the western side, and the scene of Kāliyāmardana is depicted on the northern side. Navagrahas are carved on the uttrāṅga of the garbhagṛha entrance.

Navagrahas are carved on the uttrāṅga of the garbhagṛha entrance.

Other sculptures and images: Apart from this, there are some sculptures in the devakoṣhṭhas of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. There is a nāga deity in the southern devakoṣhṭha. In contrast, a sculpture of Bhairava is in the northern devakoṣhṭha. In the devakoṣhṭha of the west, there is a sculpture of Gaṇeśa on the left and a sculpture of Vāsudeva on the right side. The sculptures of Bhairava and Vāsudeva seem to belong to the Marāṭhā period. A sculpture of Keśava is kept in the sabhāmaṇḍapa. A hero stone is noticed on temple premises. Apart from these sculptures, several sculptures of Load bearers (Bharavahakas) have been carved above the pillars in sabhamandapa. Some of the Bharvahakas seem to be Natha-yogis. There is a vīragaḷa on the temple premises. Its height is 140 cm and its width is 43 cm.

A sculpture of Keśava

Load bearer (Bharavahaka)

A rare sculpture of prasuta as a bharvahaka, where she is going to deliver a baby.

Hero stone

Concluding Remarks: The temple is notably in good condition and attracts a significant number of devotees. It is particularly popular during the festival of Mahāśivarātrī and the month of Śrāvaṇa. Malad village, where the Vāgheśvara temple is located, has now been integrated into the expanding Baramati City. This offers the potential for the development of religious tourism, not only for Vāgheśvara but also for other nearby temples in Kasba Baramati, Gunvadi, Medad, and Soneshvar. Based on the architectural style and sculptures, experts estimate that the Vāgheśvara temple was built in the early 14th century CE. When compared artistically with the Kāśī-Viśveśwara temple in Kasba-Baramati, Vāgheśvara's construction appears to be slightly more recent.

In Malad village, there is also a Mahādeva temple of the phāmsanā type. Unlike Vāgheśvara, this temple is not in good condition and contains several grand but neglected vīragaḷas within its premises. It is an ancient temple that requires proper maintenance.