The Bolhāī Devī temple from Vadebolhai (18°35’15.4″N 74°04’43.1″ E) is a famous Śaktī shrine in Pune district. It is located on a high plateau between the Mula and Mutha rivers, eastwards of Pune city at about 28 km. One can reach the site by taking the Pune-Ahmednagar road. To reach the temple, one must pass Vagholi and Kesnand towns and go around a hill range. Also, one can reach via the Lonikand-Bakori route on the same Pune-Ahmednagar road. The goddess Bolhāī is considered the tutelary deity of many families from the Pune region. This temple was originally built during the 14th-15th century, but massively renovated during the Maratha period. The Bolhāī Devi temple is situated in an open space and faces towards the east. Walls on all four sides surround it and occupy the central space. Visitors can enter the temple premises through the arched entrance on the eastern wall. The entrance features a Marathi inscription that is engraved on it. 

The Bolhāī Devi temple

Ovarīs: As one descends through the entrance of the temple, several noteworthy elements come into view, including a dīpamāḷa (lamp-post), a karpūrastambha (camphor post), and various tāndaḷās (aniconic images). The temple complex is further enriched by the presence of enclosure walls that house a total of 72 open rooms or ovarīs (platformed apartments). These ovarīs are not merely structural spaces; they serve functional and artistic purposes. Each room features small alcoves in the walls, specifically designed to hold oil lamps. Adding to the architectural interest, these rooms are characterized by their vaulted ceilings. Accessibility is considered, as stairs lead from these rooms to the top of the enclosure walls, allowing for a higher vantage point. These walls serve as canvases for large paintings and murals depicting various deities, the ten incarnations of Viṣṇu, and key life events of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, among other subjects. In addition to these historical and religious paintings, the rooms also contain modern representations of deities like Mahiṣāsuramardinī and Mahākālī. 

Ground plan of the temple

Architecture: The temple plan consists of regular elements: mukhamaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍap, antarāḷa, and garbhagṛha.

Mukhamaṇḍapa: The mukhamaṇḍapa is an open hall with a raised platform on both sides of the entrances and flanked by five typical Marāṭhā style arches balanced on six pillars. The arches and pillars are decorated with intricately carved floral, leaf, and vine motifs. On the outer wall of the mukhamaṇḍapa, there are two Dvārpālas i. e. gatekeepers. As per the information gathered from the worshiper in the temple, the mukhamaṇḍapa and the enclosure walls were constructed by the Gaekwads of Baroda in the 18th century CE.

The mukhamaṇḍapa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa: As one enters the sabhāmaṇḍapa, there are modern idols of Goddesses next to the entrance. The decorated entrance to sabhāmaṇḍapa has Gaṇapatī carved on its lintel and two kīrtīmukhas on the threshold. A lot of the temple portion was renovated in the late Marāṭhā period hence we see a lot of changes in the original temple structure. The sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple is 6.81 x 6.76 meters in dimension and has four main pillars to balance its structure. All the pillars are well decorated. The pillar's capital is ornate with floral patterns, and we see inverted cobras carved on the architraves or supporters. On the central square part of the pillar, we see kīrtīmukhas. From the design of the pillars, it can be assumed that they are part of the original, old temple. There is another door to the north of the maṇḍapa. The Palanquin of the Bolhāī Devī, her bed, and a box to receive donated grains are kept in the sabhāmaṇḍapa.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa

Antarāḷa: Antarāḷa passage shows basic, simple pillars supporting the ceiling beams. Part of the doorjamb of the garbhagṛha entrance is covered with brass sheets. Hence it is difficult to study and observe the original doorjamb. Overall, the temple has been painted to a great extent inside hence we cannot figure out the original art employed there.

Bolhāī Devi

Garbhagṛha: Coming to the garbhagṛha: it is 2.53 x 2.40 meters in dimensions. There is Gaṇapatī carved on the lintel while kīrtīmukha carved on the threshold. Inside the garbhagṛha, we see three goddess idols installed on a raised platform. Of them, the idol to the viewer’s left is Bhavarādevī; who is considered the Tuḷajā Bhavānī, and to the viewer’s right is Kāśīāī; who is also called Kāśīviśveśvarī. In the center, we see a significant aniconic form of Bolhāī Devi. It is laden with red lead. All these idols are covered in clothes. According to the worshippers of the goddesses, the original idol of the goddess is depicted as decapitating a ram. Bolhāī Devi is considered the form of Pārvatī.

The inner sanctum of the garbhagṛiha is intricately designed, containing three aedicules that house various idols. The southern aedicule is home to a newly crafted Bhairava idol, while an older idol of the same deity is situated close by. This juxtaposition of the old and the new lends a certain depth to the spiritual atmosphere. In the smaller aedicule located on the back wall of the garbhagṛiha, there resides a four-handed Mahiṣāsuramardinī idol. The idol's upper hands brandish a sword, while the lower hands grip the head and tail of the buffalo demon, encapsulating the essence of the goddess' legendary battle. To the north, an aedicule holds two significant idols—a marble Gaṇapatī and an older idol seated in Lalitāsana. Below this, a Gomukha serves as a water outlet. This cow-head shaped stone carving directs water used for bathing the goddesses into a stone Kuṇḍa pit beneath it. The garbhagṛiha's pedestal is elaborately adorned with floral patterns, a decorative touch that adds to the room's aesthetic. The superstructure of the temple shows a clear influence of Marāṭhā architecture. The temple's outer walls feature ornate arches. In a chamber behind the main structure, there's a Yajñakuṇḍa—a fire pit specifically designed for performing fire rituals. This pit is embellished with carvings of Gaṇapatī and a reverent female figure, enhancing the spiritual ambience.

Rituals and Traditions of the temple: The Bolhāī Devī shrine is enveloped in an array of customs and rituals that reflect its unique spiritual significance. One particular tradition that stands out is the consumption of Bolhāī meat—sheep meat. Those who partake in eating this specific type of meat refrain from using the same utensils for preparing goat meat, underscoring a unique dietary observance tied to the worship of Bolhāī Devī. The shrine's surroundings also add to its allure, with a nearby lake believed to have medicinal properties capable of curing skin ailments. This lake serves as another attraction, drawing people in search of both spiritual and physical healing.

The priests serving at this shrine come from the Gurav caste and bear surnames such as Shinde, Pansare, Gade, and Bhagole. Their role in the complex tapestry of rites performed here is pivotal. The most prominent ritualistic gatherings occur on Somavatī Amāvasyā, Paurṇimā, Navarātrī, and Daśaharā, with the largest influx of pilgrims in the month of Āśvina. Sundays hold particular importance, with a smaller pilgrimage gathering and a special Āratī performed in the afternoon. During this ritual, a burning lamp is waved around the goddess's platter and then carried to the temple on the western hill—the main seat of the Bolhāī goddess. A noteworthy tradition known as ‘Ōlāṇḍā’ takes place during this procession, wherein devotees lie down in front of the Gurav, allowing him to cross over them.

Two tanks are located near the temple on the western hill, one of which still holds water. According to local residents, a natural cave approximately 10 feet deep exists near Vadebolhāī town, which they believe is connected to the Bolhāī Devī temple. A similar natural cave on a high hill in the Jejuri-Valhe region of the Pune district is also considered another sacred seat of Bolhāī Devī.

Concluding Remark: The Vadebolhāī region is known for its pilgrims, rites-rituals, and traditions. The doorjamb of garbhagṛha and the carved pillars in the sabhāmaṇḍapa resemble the Yādava period architecture. Therefore, it can be speculated that the Bolhāī temple was constructed in the 14th century CE, and renovation was carried out during the Marāṭhā period. Adjacent to the temple, additional religious structures have been recently added . To the south of the Bolhāī temple lies a Śiva temple, and to the north, a recently built temple dedicated to Dattātreya stands, further contributing to the area's spiritual mosaic.