Limbaraj temple, Nirgude

Nirgude is a small village in Baramati tehsil. The village Nirgude is on North East of Baramati city at 12 km and 14 km from Bhigwan on the Pune-Solapur Road. The exact distance from Pune is about 115 km. There is an east-facing temple of Limbarāja Mahādeva (18.220135, 74.707934) north of this village. This temple does not appear to have been recorded anywhere before.

There is a school within the premises of Limbarāja temple also. A gateway has been created leading to the temple, and two vīragaḷas have been embedded in its walls. A total of ten vīragaḷas are seen kept on the temple premises. Some of these vīragaḷas appear to be intricately carved and meaningful. A satīśiḷā is also placed near the dīpamāḷa on the temple premises. A samādhī and nāgaśilpa can also be seen in this area. Also, a modern image of Jyotibā is visible on the temple premises.

Limbarāja Mahādeva temple

A vīragaḷa embedded in the gateway wall.

vīragaḷas

A close view of vīragaḷas

Architecture: The Nandīmaṇḍapa and Sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple are adjoined. The Nandīmaṇḍapa spans 196 cm in length and 220 cm in width, with an image of Nandī situated at its center, oriented towards the garbhagṛha. As one enters the Sabhāmaṇḍapa, a portion of the kakṣāsana becomes evident. Above its entrance, a plow is intricately carved into the beam. This maṇḍapa boasts four pillars and two devakoṣhṭhas situated on its left and right sides. The left devakoṣhṭha houses an image of Cāmunḍā, while the right one remains unoccupied. Additionally, modern depictions of Śiva and Datta have been placed in the Sabhāmaṇḍapa, which measures 348 cm in length, 406 cm in width, and has pillars standing at a height of 188 cm.

The antarāḷa, straightforward in design, has a length of 200 cm and a width of 192 cm. Its ceiling draws attention and, like the Sabhāmaṇḍapa, features a plow carved into one of its beams. The garbhagṛha measures 190 x 190 cm and houses a śivaliṅga at its center, distinctive from other śivaliṅgas in design.

The exterior of the temple

Concluding Remarks: The exterior of the temple is simple and does not bear any carving or decoration. Since the śikhara is constructed in a modern way, the original structure of the śikhara cannot be guessed. It might have been built recently. The temple must have had an original fencing wall, but it appears to have been destroyed now. The temple's architecture, pillars, sculptures, and exterior are ordinary. This temple may have been built in the 15th-16th century CE. On Mahāśivarātrī and in the month of Śrāvaṇa, many devotees pay a visit to Limbarāja Mahādeva.