Bhimashankar Temple, Talegaon-Dhamdhere

Bhīmāśaṅkara (18.668658, 74.155646) at Talegaon-Dhamdhere is a distinctive Marāṭhā style west-facing temple standing on a high platform in the centre of the village. According to an inscription carved on a stone stela on the facade of the temple, this temple was constructed on 14th February 1743 (śaka 1664). There is a legend in the village that, this temple was built by Bhīma, one of the Pānḍavas.

Bhīmāśaṅkara temple.

The ground plan of the Bhīmāśaṅkara temple.

Architecture: The plan of the temple include a mukhamaṇḍapa, a gūḍhamaṇḍapa, and a garbhagṛha. One has to climb a total of six steps to reach the first adhiṣṭhāna of the temple, which serves as the starting point for the pradakṣiṇāpatha, a path for circumambulation around the entire temple complex. Two more steps must be climbed to enter the mukhamaṇḍapa, making the adhiṣṭhāna a significant eight feet in height. It is worth noting that all the temples in Talegaon Dhamdhere exhibit such elevated adhiṣṭhānas.

The mukhamaṇḍapa itself measures 257 cm in length and 468 cm in width. It is supported by two simple pillars and six piasters. The roof of the mukhamaṇḍapa is unadorned. Centrally located in the mukhamaṇḍapa is an image of Nandī, whose pedestal bears architectural elements that suggest it may date back to the 13th or 14th century CE. It raises the possibility that the Nandī may have been relocated here from another site in the village.

Bhīmāśaṅkara temple

Gūḍhamaṇḍapa: Gūḍhamaṇḍapa can be entered through mukhamaṇḍapa. The entrance to the gūḍhamaṇḍapa is simple and has a Gaṇeśa image on the lalāṭa. There are devakoṣhṭhas on both sides of the entrance. The length of gūḍhamaṇḍapa is 390 cm and its width is 341 cm. There are two niches in the north-south part of the maṇḍapa. There are four pilasters on all four sides of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa. Between two pilasters, an arched structure is formed at the top. The roof is dome-shaped.

Garbhagṛiha: One can enter the garbhagṛiha through the gūḍhamaṇḍapa. The entrance to the garbhagṛiha is simple and the stambhaśākhā is clearly seen. There is an image of Gaṇeśa on the lalāṭa. The bilvapatras are engraved above the doorway. The garbhagṛiha measures 273 X 273 cm inside. There are four ardhastambhas on the four sides and śivalinga is in the centre. In the wall behind the śivalinga, there is a devakoṣhṭha and a modern image of Viṭṭala-Rukmiṇī has been installed in it. In the north-south walls also, there are one devakoṣhṭha each. The roof of the garbhagṛiha is dome-shaped and the influence of Islamic architectural style on it is visible

Exterior: The exterior of the temple is flat. There are three empty devakoṣhṭhas on the exterior of the garbhagṛiha on three sides. At northern side of the temple, a gāyamukha (gomukha) has been installed from which the water offered to the śivalinga in abhiṣeka releases out. There is a beautiful brick śikhara of Marāṭhā style architecture on the garbhagṛiha. At the śikhara, four layers of kūṭas are visible arranged one on top of the other. On this, the portion of āmalaka and kalaśa can be seen. Some Marāṭhā style sculptures of gods and goddesses have been carved only on the lower part of the śikhara. Created with the mixture of lime-sand, these sculptures are mutilated in some places. Painting marks are visible on various parts of the śikhara. There is no śikhara on the gūḍhamaṇḍapa.

A gāyamukha

Brick śikhara on the garbhagṛiha

Inscription: A Devanāgarī inscription was found on a stele outside the Bhīmāśaṅkara temple . This inscription is in Sanskrit language and during this period Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj was ruling. This inscription was first read by Mr. Pandurang Narsimha Patvardhan. It is as follows:

Śrī Śālivāhana śake
1664 Dundubhī śavatsare phāla
guna śuda 1 + + bhīmāśanka
ra devālaya nīrmīta Morasheti
va Apaji Karanje suta Ghanasheti

Translation: In the 1664th year (1743 CE) of Śālivāhana śaka, Dundubhī samvatsara, on the day of phālguna śuddha pratipadā (Monday), Mora Sheti and Ghana sheti, son of Apaji Karanje has built Bhīmāśaṅkaraa temple.

Concluding Remarks: It is worth noting that ten years prior, in 1733 CE, Mora Sheti constructed the Siddheśvara temple. It appears that Mora Sheti was a prolific patron. The temple displays a blend of Indo-Islamic architectural styles, which later influenced the development of Marāṭhā architectural style. During the Dhamdhere Sardars era, numerous temples were erected in the village, including this notable Bhīmāśaṅkara temple. Despite lacking a priest, the temple remains in reasonably good condition and stands in its original state. It is currently a public temple, without any land or grant. There are some concerns about the decay of the Śikhara and its longitivity. Efforts must be taken to restore it without painting it in multicolor oil paint.