Tulapur is a historical village situated at the triveṇī (three rivers’) confluence of the Bhima, Bhama and Indrayani rivers at a distance of 32 km from Pune. Apart from the Saṅgameśvara temple in Tulapur, another beautiful temple attracts our attention, that is the Viṣṇu Mahāballāḷeśvara Mahādeva temple. This east-facing temple dedicated to Śiva (despite the name) (18.670585, 73.995810) stands on a hillock at a short distance from the Saṅgameśvara temple.

Viṣṇu Mahāballāḷeśvara Mahādeva temple

Temple Environs and Legend: The expansive view of the sweeping ghāṭa and river confluence enhances the temple's allure. When descending to the river ghāṭ adjacent to the Saṅgameśvara temple, the steps that lead to the Mahāballāḷeśvara temple are located on the left. Along the way, a tulasī vriṅdāvana and a few samādhīs come into view. As one ascends these steps, a small Gaṇeśa shrine is visible on the right, housing a sculpture of Gaṇeśa. A few more steps bring visitors directly in front of the main temple. On the temple premises, additional small temples dedicated to Sāīnātha Bābā and Śanī Mahārāja are also present. Though the Mahāballāḷeśvara temple is architecturally simple, its clarity, unique design, and tranquil atmosphere create a sense of bliss.

Regarding the temple's name, which is associated with Viṣṇu, no local sources provide a definitive explanation. However, a legend from the Skaṇda Purāṇa offers some insights. According to this tale, Brahma was once preparing the land for humans on the Sahyadri mountain. During this noble endeavor, two asuras, Atibala and Mahabala, created disturbances. It was Viṣṇu who then saved the divine Shivlinga from these asuras. Legends of this kind are commonly found in the region of Maharashtra, and it is likely that this narrative influenced the temple's name, leading to its being called the 'Viṣṇu Mahāballāḷeśvara Mahādeva' temple.

Another view of the Viṣṇu Mahāballāḷeśvara Mahādeva temple

Architecture: The temple's architecture comprises of a nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha. Elevated on a high plinth, the temple's nandīmaṇḍapa measures 200 cm in length and 317 cm in width, featuring a centrally placed Nandī statue. Entrance to this section is facilitated by four steps, and additional sets of four steps on either side provide access to the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

The sabhāmaṇḍapa itself is 286 cm long and 610 cm wide and features a kūrmaśilpa at its center. This hall contains four niches, and both it and the nandīmaṇḍapa have flat roofs. The antarāḷa section is 195 cm long and 255 cm wide. Descending three steps from the antarāḷa leads to the garbhagṛha, which measures 312 cm in length and 340 cm in width. The entrance to the garbhagṛha is ornately carved, featuring Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭabimba and a kīrtīmukha on the threshold. Inside, eight square niches and arch-like formations can be observed. The vitāna (ceiling) is distinct in style, tapering towards the top.

The temple's exterior is relatively plain, although a praṇālaka has been incorporated in the northern section for draining abhiṣeka water. The garbhagṛha boasts a high śikhara, considered to be the temple's original pinnacle. Recently, efforts have been made to enhance its visual appeal through coloring, although such modifications often yield mixed results. Additional śikharas have also been constructed atop the nandīmaṇḍapa and sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Praṇālaka

The śikhara on the garbhagṛha.

Other Temples in the Vicinity: There is a small contemporary temple of Koṭeśvara to the left of the Mahāballāḷeśvara temple. Nandī is in front of the temple and sabhāmaṇḍapa and garbhagṛha are seen inside. Although this temple is small, it is important to be old. The temples of Viṣṇu, Rāma and Rāmeśvara are located at some distance from this temple. It is seen that cement temples have been built in the place of original ones recently. It can be seen that a ghāṭ has been constructed in front of this temple to descend into the river bed.

The temples of Viṣṇu, Rāma and Rāmeśvara

Concluding Remarks: Overall, the Viṣṇu Mahāballāḷeśvara Mahādeva temple is well-preserved. While there is no definitive evidence identifying the builders of the temple, its architectural style strongly suggests that it was constructed during the Marāṭhā period. The design of the temple bears considerable resemblance to that of the Rāmeśvara temple in Talegaon-Dhamdhere, further pointing towards common stylistic influences and possibly a similar time frame for their construction.