Bhuleshwar Temple Pune

Introduction to the Bhuleshwar Temple

Maharashtra is home to many ancient temples for Hindu deities. The small village of Yawat, Maharashtra, has an ancient Shiva temple that stands on a small hill, surrounded by the beautiful Sahyadri mountain range. The main deity is Bhuleshwar, an incarnation of Shiva. It is 54 km away from Pune city. The place draws many researchers of history and architectural enthusiasts. The Bhuleshwar Temple is a protected monument. It has intricate carvings on the walls and is famous for its mythological and historical significance.

Legend of the Bhuleshwar Temple

This historical temple has many legends swirling around it. According to one of them, when Shiva and Parvati were on their way to Kailash, they stopped at the place where the Bhuleshwar Temple now stands. While they were resting here, Bhushasur, a demon, saw Parvati and fell in love with her. When he tried to abduct her, Shiva fought and conquered him. There is a belief that the temple was built to commemorate this event.

There is another legend that is linked to the name of this place. According to it, Shiva came to this place for meditation. Parvati disguised herself as a tribal woman and danced before Shiva to entice him. Her beauty attracted him, and they went to Kailash and got married. In Marathi, 'Bhul' means 'to sedate'. As Parvati drew Shiva using her beauty, Shiva got the name Bhuleshwar.

The Architecture of the Bhuleshwar Temple

The Yadav rulers constructed the Bhuleshwar Temple in the 13th century. Later, Aurangzeb, a Muslim ruler, invaded the temple. Murar Jagdev reconstructed Bhuleshwar Temple in the 17th century. He built Fort Mangalgad on the hill to get a view of the city. It is also known as Daulatmangal Fort.

The Bhuleshwar Temple architecture features Indo-Aryan architecture. Gaimukhi is the temple's entrance, which dates back to Shivaji Maharaj's era. The temple has four sections. They are Nandi Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Antara, and the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). The architectural design of the Bhuleshwar Temple creates a strange play of light at the temple. Bhuleshwar Temple was constructed using black basalt rock. It creates a cool ambiance inside the temple, even during the scorching summer. The Mughal style of architecture is reflected in the temple’s exterior section. Its tower also resembles a Mughal tomb. The interior of the temple features Southern architectural styles.

On entering the sanctum, one can see a huge Nandi statue in a separate Nandi Mandapa in front of the sanctum. Sun rays enter this section through the gaps in the roof and reflect off the wall carvings to create a magical play of light. This phenomenon is fascinating for both artists and photographers.

Devotees can see five Shiv Linga idols inside the sanctum sanctorum. Idols of Mahadeva, Vishnu, and Lakshmi Devi are also there. Pilgrims can see Ganapati in a female guise. They worship him in the name of Ganeshwari, Vinayaki, Lambodari, or Ganeshyani. The Bhuleshwar Temple boasts well-designed walls and beautiful sculptures on the interior walls. Classical stone carvings on the temple walls add to its beauty.

The barbarity of Muslim invaders is still visible inside the temple in the form of many disfigured statues. There are many secret passages in the temple that speak of the Hindu rulers' attempts to protect the statues and idols from further Mughal invasions. Some sculptures bear the marks of hammers. There are many scars and dents on the beautiful statues in the Bhuleshwar temple, which testify to the vandalism of the Mughal invaders.

Festivals in the Bhuleshwar Temple

On Mahashivratri, hordes of devotees throng to the temple to offer prayers. People come from various places to get the deity's blessings. The temple conducts fairs, and devotees often fast on the night of Shivratri. In Shravan month, pilgrims visit the Bhuleshwar Temple for the Hindola festival.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Bhuleshwar Temple

Infertile couples believe that worshipping the Shiv Linga here will grant them a child. This is because he is a representation of the male reproductive system.