Minor Temples of Pimple Jagtap, Pimple-Jagtap

In addition to the renowned Dharmanāth temple located in Pimpale-Jagtap village, there are several Maratha period temples that include Mahādeva, Gaṇeśa, Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī, and Mārutī.

The Mahādev temple.

Mahādev temple: The Mahādev temple situated outside the village is simple and situated behind the Hanumāna temple. Two large Nandī images are placed in front of this temple. The temple's sabhāmaṇḍapa measures 450 X 450 cm and has four plain pillars in the centre, along with eight niches in the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

The size of the garbhagṛha is 300 X 300 cm, containing a śivaliṅga in the centre and a large niche at the back. The right and left walls of the garbhagṛha have ventilators for light arrangement. The most remarkable feature of the Mahādeva temple is the ten-lined Marathi inscription located on the right side of the garbhagṛha entrance. This inscription is carved on a smooth stele measuring 40 cm high and 27 cm wide. Although clear and readable, the inscription has not yet been read. Mr Anil Dudhane was the first to read all the inscriptions in the village, and some corrections were made after re-reading them. Reading of the inscription
1. Śrī
2. Śrī Śivsābhṃ caraṇi ta
3. Tpara Raghunāthrāv suta
4. Viṭalrāv Pāṭil Ja
5. gatāp Mokadam Mau
6. je Pipḷe taraf Cāk
7. ṇ San 1249 Śake 1761
8. Vikārī nām savasare
9. Śrāvaṇ Śukla 3 Induvās
10. ra Śubhaṃ bhavatu

Translation: Mokadam Viṭṭhalrāv Pāṭīl Jagtāp, the son of Raghunāthrāv Jagtāp, who was a humble devotee of Śiva; resident of Pipale tarfa Chakan, started or completed the construction of the Mahādev temple in the Vikārī Saṃvatsara, in the month of Śrāvaṇa and on Śukla 3, Monday, year (Fasalī) 1249, Śaka 1761 (Monday, August 12, 1839).

The sabhāmaṇḍapa of Mahādeva temple.

Hanumān Temple: There is a small Hanumāna temple in front of the Mahādev temple in which a noteworthy mutilated sculpture of Hanumāna is kept. Apart from the main image, some other sculptures are also kept in this temple.

Gaṇapatī Temple: There is a temple of Gaṇapatī close to the Hanumāna temple. The temple building is in good condition. The entrance to this temple is artistic and attractive with three arches in front. There is a red-lead dabbed image of Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭapaṭṭa and in the garbhagṛha. There are two ventilators in the temple for light. Apart from this, some empty niches are seen in the garbhagṛha. The roof of the garbhagṛha is tapering upwards. Since this temple is architecturally similar to the Dharmanātha temple, it might be contemporary.

Gaṇapatī temple.

Doorway of the Gaṇapatī temple.

Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī Temple: There is a temple of Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī at some distance in front of the Hanumāna temple. It has a wooden pavilion attached ahead of the temple. A sculpture of Gajalakṣmī is also seen in the temple.

Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī temple.

Images of Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī, Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī temple.

Bāravas: Also, there are two key-shaped bāravas with inscriptions on the village boundary. The inscription on Nānāsāheb’s bārava is dated Saturday, 12th August 1809 CE, while the inscription on the bārava in Māī’s farm is dated Wednesday 2/3 February 1814 CE. Overall, temples, wells and bāravas were built in this village with the munifience of the Jagtāp-Pāṭīl family.

Nānāsāheb’s bārav.

The inscription on Nānāsāheb’s bārava.

Concluding Remarks: Dharmanāth temple, Gaṇapatī temple and Viṭṭhal temple seem to be contemporary. Some Tulasī vriṅdāvanas and samādhīs in the village premises are still in good condition.