The town of Chakan holds significant historical and mythological importance. Situated 32 km from Pune city, it is located on the Nashik-Pune National Highway and has been a prominent archaeological site since ancient times. The village is said to have had some Viṣṇu temples earlier, and there are several remains of ancient temples in the fort and temple premises. The village has yielded various archaeological remains dating back to the 13th century, including stone images of Sūrya, Yajñavarāha, Kūrma-pīṭha, Nandī, Surasundarī, and hero stones. It is mentioned in early Marathi records like the Līḷācarita from the 13th century and has been visited by revered figures like Saint Jñāneśvara and Saint Tukārāma Mahārāja.  Another Vārakarī Saint Jaganāḍe Mahārāja was originally from Chakan.

Chakan was a prominent place during the Bahāmanī rule and later came under the control of King Śahājī Bhosale and Śivājī Mahārāja, respectively. In 1660 CE, Auraṅgazeb's uncle Śāīstā Khān came to Chakan with his 20 thousand troops. He besieged the fort of Sangramdurg in this town. It is said that in this battle, Firaṅgojī Narasāḷā, the Marāṭhā commander, fought against the Mughals with great courage but died in battle.

Fort Sangramdurg.

Legends

There are some legends about the Chakan and Cakreśvara temples, which are prevalent in this region. According to one legend, this place was called ‘Ekacakra Nagar’ as mentioned in Rāmāyaṇa, and a big hermitage of Sage Śāṇḍilya was located here. Vedic rituals were performed here, but the asuras would disturb them, which led to King Daśaratha vanquishing the asuras to protect the performance of the Vedic rituals. In this battle, one of the wheels of King Daśaratha's chariot fell at this place, so this village became known as 'Ekacakra.' The word 'cāka' in Marathi means 'wheel' in English. The name "Cākana" is believed to have evolved from the term ‘Ekacakra,’.

According to another legend, the Paṇḍavas were living in Ekacakra Nagara, i.e., Chakan. The place where they killed the demon Bakāsura is called 'Roṭaī Lake,' located on Alandi Road, near Chakan.

Sage Śāṇḍilya temple.

Cakreśvara temple

The Cakreśvara temple faces the east and is built on a raised platform. It was constructed during the Maratha period. The temple comprises three main parts: the garbhagṛha, a wooden sabhāmaṇḍapa, and a puṣkarṇī in front of it. The garbhagṛha features a large Śivaliṅga at its centre. The entrance to the temple is simple, with Gaṇeśa located in the front and Kīrtimukha on the threshold. The temple has a simple brick spire. In front of the temple is a wooden sabhāmaṇḍapa built later. A large puṣkarṇī in front of the temple is reachable with a few steps leading down from the wooden sabhāmaṇḍapa. One can find the temple of Sage Śāṇḍilya near the temple.

The Cakreśvara temple.

A beautiful sculpture of Yajñavarāha is also located at the back of the temple. Similar sculptures have been found in Loni Bhapkar and Bhuleshvar in the Pune district. There are also large stone sculptures of a Kūrmapīṭha and a Nandī in the temple premises. You can also see several tombstones in this area.

Yajñavarāha, Kūrma-pīṭha.

Yajñavarāha.

Other Temples

On the right side of the Cakreśvara temple is the temple of Tuḷajā bhavānī. Interestingly, the original part of this temple is carved into a huge boulder. This temple also houses idols of Goddess Reṇukā and a female idol probably from the 13th century.

A female idol.

There is also a Maratha temple of Khaṇḍobā in Chakan town. The temple's garbhagṛha contains beautiful idols of Khaṇḍobā and his two wives, 'Mhāḷasā' and 'Bāṇāī'. An inscription of three lines is engraved on the facade of the temple. According to the inscription, this temple of Mārtaṇḍa was built in Śobhana Krata Samavatsara in Śaka era 1705, i.e., 1783 CE.

Idols of Khaṇḍobā and his two wives, 'Mhāḷasā' and 'Bāṇāī.

Concluding Remarks: It is believed that an ancient temple once stood on the site where the Cakreśvara temple stands today. The temple was later restored during the Maratha period. Given its deep-rooted historical, cultural, and mythological significance, the government of Maharashtra has designated Chakan a pilgrimage site, making it an important place of worship and cultural interest.