There is a village named Yavat at a distance of 47 km from Pune on the Pune-Solapur National Highway. To the south of it is the Bhuleshvar hill range, and to the north is the broad valley of the Mula-Mutha River. The village of Yavat is historical, and several ancient ruins are scattered here. In this village, there are temples such as Kālkāī Devī Temple, Tukāī Mātā Temple, Jyotirliṅga Mahādev Temple, Kāla-Bhairavanātha Temple, old Samādhīs, Hero stones, Bārava (step well), etc.

An older temple of Kālkāī Devī (18.476060, 74.271524) is adjacent to the Pune-Solapur National Highway. Kālkāī Devī is a local goddess and is worshipped by the villagers. The name ‘Kālkāī’ suggest probably the form of Kālī. Most of the original portion of the Kālkāī Devī temple has been destroyed, except for the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagṛha) and the vestibule (antarāḷa). Even the spire of the temple is no longer visible.

Kālkāī Devī temple.

The plan of the temple.

Architecture: There are two pilasters on either side of the outer part of the antarāḷa. There are also four additional pilasters in the four corners of the antarāḷa. The antarāḷa measures at 2.05 x 2.00 m. Then one can enter garbhagṛha through antarāḷa. The doorway of the garbhagṛha is simple. The size of the sanctum sanctorum is 2.10 x 1.90 m. There are four pilasters (ardhastambhas) in the four corners of the sanctum sanctorum, and a Śivaliṅga is installed in the center. The temple is known as ‘Kālkāī’ or ‘Kālikā Devī’, as the idol of the goddess is placed in the temple behind the Śivaliṅga. However, due to the ancient Śivaliṅga in the sanctum sanctorum, it appears to be the original Śiva temple.

Śivaliṅga

There is a square Bārava behind the Kālkāī temple full of water. Devanāgarī inscriptions are inscribed at Bārava and on a small temple shrine nearby. On the other side of Bārava is the temple of Kālabhairavanātha. Today, this temple has been fully restored. Five hero stones have been placed on the premises of the Kālabhairavanātha temple.

A square Bārava

Hero stones on the premises of the Kālabhairavanātha temple.

A large sculpture of Lord Gaṇeśa can be seen here under the lamp pillar. The temple of Kālkāī can assign to the 14th-15th century CE on its architectural grounds.