A village called Malthan is located 59 km from Pune and 20 km from Shikrapur. There are two vāḍās (palaces) of Pawar Sardārs and old temples of Mallikārjuna, Hanumāna, and Bhairavanātha in this village. Among these, Mallikārjuna temple (18.838226, 74.227197) is worth noting. It stands facing east in front of the palace of Pawar Sardārs.

Vāḍā (palace) of Pawar Sardār

Mallikārjuna temple

Architecture: Its general structure consists of nandīmaṇḍapa, gūḍhamaṇḍapa and garbhagṛha. After climbing five steps, we reach the nandīmaṇḍapa. Its size is 355 x 355 cm. The west-facing Nandī image is in the centre of the maṇḍapa.

The door of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa is simple and has Gaṇeśa sculpture on the lalāṭabimba and kīrtīmukha on the threshold. But some kīrtīmukhas generally begin to resemble human faces during the Marāṭhā period. Two śarabhas are carved on both sides of the entrance of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa. The gūḍhamaṇḍapa is 590 cm long and 585 cm wide. Two ventilators have been kept in the maṇḍapa for lighting. Also, there are six niches on the walls. One has to go down two steps to enter the garbhagṛha of the temple. It is 330 x 330 cm in size and has a simple entrance. The śivaliṅga is not installed in the centre but it is shifted slightly to the north.

The northern and western walls of the garbhagṛha have ventilators for lighting. Apart from this, there are three niches to keep the pūjā materials. An abhiṣeka vessel has been created in the wall to let the abhiṣeka water come into the garbhagṛha from outside of the temple. The vitāna of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa and the garbhagṛha are octagonal and taper upwards.

The exterior of the temple is flat. Also, the śikharas of the temple have been recently erected. A big dīpamāḷa stands in front of the temple. Based on the temple structure, it was likely built during late Marāṭhā period i. e. around the late 18th century CE. There is a mutilated śivaliṅga and Nandī behind the temple. It seems that there must have been an original temple even before this present temple. This view is supported by the nature of existing śivaliṅga installed in the garbhagṛha of the temple as well as the abhiṣeka pātra. Also, abhiṣeka vessels are not found in Marāṭhā period temples.

Nandīmaṇḍapa

Doors of the gūḍhamaṇḍapa

Hanumāna temple

Additional Information: Apart from this, there is a Hanumāna temple built during the British period in this village. The villagers have well maintained both these temples. A tall samaī (lamp) in this temple attracts the devotee’s attention. The village is also home to architectural wonders outside of its religious structures. For example, the octagonal well situated in the palace of Pawar Saradār is noteworthy. The religious activities of the Mallikārjuna temple are overseen by Shri. Bhanudas Gurav, who serves as the priest.