Located on a high hill, the east-facing Firaṅgāī Mātā temple is a prominent feature of the village of Kurkumbh, which is situated 76 km from Pune on the Pune-Solapur highway. The temple was erected on August 3, 1729, by Sabaji Naik-Nimbalkar, a Marāṭhā Sardar from Phaltan. The temple is enclosed by a parakoṭa (rampart), with the Firaṅgāī Devī temple situated in the center of this enclosure. To access the temple, one climbs a series of steps leading up the hill from the base at Kurkumbh village. The temple is dedicated to Firaṅgāī Devī, a form of Parvati, and is visible from the Pune-Solapur highway.

Firaṅgāī Mātā temple on hill.

Architecture: The temple premises feature a large door on the eastern side, adorned with carvings of Śarabha and elephants. The architectural layout of the temple comprises a sabhāmaṇḍapa and a garbhagṛha. Measuring 510 x 510 cm, the sabhāmaṇḍapa offers an exit through a southern passage. Within the maṇḍapa, there are four kakṣāsanas supported by eight ardhastambhas, distributed as two for each kakṣāsana. Additionally, the maṇḍapa is structured with four stambhas and six more ardhastambhas. The pillars have a height of 215 cm.

A general view of the temple.

Inscription: A 12-lined Marathi inscription of Naik-Nimbalkar Sardāras is carved on a round stone slab of 74 cm diameter which is in the centre of the maṇḍapa. The reading of this inscription is as follows:

• Śrī
• Śrī caraṅī tatpar vaṅ
• śa nirantara Vanagoji Naik-Nim
• balkar tyāñce putra Mudhoji Naik
• tyāñce putra Sabaji Naik tyāñce putra Tu
• koram Naik tyāñce putra Amrutrao
• va Piraji Naik-Nimbalkar tyāñce putra Sa
• baji Naik-Nimbalkar Deshmukh praa Ph
• ḷaṭhaṇa deśa yani Śrī ce adnyanevarun devā
• ḷaya samagra sidh kele śake 1651
• Soumyanāma samvatsare Śrāvaṇa
• vadya pañcamī śrāra (Śrī rastu?)

Interpretaion: In Soumya samvatsara, on the day of Śrāvaṇa vadya 5 (Sunday), in the 1651st year of Śālivāhana śaka, Mr Sabaji Naik-Nimbalkar, son of Mr Piraji Naik-Nimbalkar has completed the temple on the command of Śrī (Firaṅgāī). The inscription gives a genealogy as Vanagoji Naik-Nimbalkar, his son Mudhoji, his son Sabaji, his son Tukoram, his son Amrutrao, his son Piraji, his son Sabaji.

A 12-lined Marathi inscription of Naik-Nimbalkar Sardāras.

Garbhagṛha: The garbhagṛha of the temple is 330 cm long and 326 cm wide. The tāndaḷā (undressed symbolic stone) of Firaṅgāī Devī is in the garbhagṛha.

The tāndaḷā (undressed symbolic stone) of Firaṅgāī Devī.

Śikhara: The śikhara of the temple is very beautiful and the influence of the Bhūmija style is visible in it. Five small śikharas and latās can be seen on all sides of the śikhara. Birds, aquatic animals, flowers, plants, human figures etc. are drawn on those. There are four small peaks around the grīvā.

The śikhara of the temple.

Owarīs: The parakoṭa of the temple has owarīs (platformed apartments). Out of these, the ovarīs on the southern side are very attractive. There are different styles of vitānas for ovarīs. Also, fine designs have been carved on them. On the facades of ovarīs, sculptures of Śrī Krṣṇa, Hanumāna, Garuḍa, peacocks, monkeys and others are carved. Two small temples are also visible on the temple premises. Kurkumbh has two temples of Firaṅgāī Devī. Another temple is built at the base of the hill.

Ovarīs

Concluding Remarks: Overall, the transformed appearance of the Bhūmija style śikhara from the Marāṭhā period is noteworthy. Devotees frequently visit the temple, keeping the tradition of paraḍī bharaṇe (offering) and jogavā magaṇe (asking for sustenance) vibrant. The temple attracts visitors from all castes in the region. The expansive landscape visible from the temple premises offers visual solace. Steps are provided to reach the parakoṭa. Near the western door, a tomb is visible, likely belonging to a member of the Naik-Nimbalkar family of the erstwhile Maraṭhā sardars. The temple's priests are Shri. Kashinath Bhagwan Gore (Bhagat) and Shri. Rahul Kulkarni (Brahmin).