Palasdev is 22 km from Indapur, a town located at the edge of the Pune district. There is a huge west-facing temple of Paḷasanātha (18.247297, 74.876290) near the Viṣṇu temple at Palasdev. But since it is submerged in the water of the Ujani dam, regular worship has not occurred here for decades. Although the Paḷasanātha temple has remained under the waters of the Ujani Dam for more than 40 years, it is still in fairly good condition. One can visit this temple only when there is severe drought or during the peak summer months.

A general view of Paḷasanātha temple.

The villagers have shifted the śivaliṅga and installed it in a new temple in the village. Images such as Uma-Maheshvar alingana Murti, Har-Gauri, Śeṣaśāyī Viṣṇu, satīśiḷā, horse rider and vīragaḷas are seen to be kept in the new Paḷasanātha temple complex. These were likely brought here from the original temple premises. Attempts have been made to make the new temple in the village look like the original Paḷasanātha temple. But as one can see below the effort has not succeeded much.

Modern Paḷasanātha temple.

Architecture: The temple's architectural plan includes a garbhagṛha, antarāḷa, and a sabhāmaṇḍapa with three mukhamaṇḍapas. It is predominantly constructed of stone, except for the śikhara. The design follows the Triratha type, a specific architectural form distinguished by its plan and elevational treatment. The mukhamaṇḍapas feature kakṣāsanas (seating ledges), and there are vedikās (ornamental fences) on the exterior. These vedikās host a variety of sculptures, including depictions of Natesha Shiva, Rāma-Lakshmana, Hanumāna, and Yogis, thereby enriching the temple's visual and symbolic narrative.

The pillars within the sabhāmaṇḍapa are notably simplistic and flat, avoiding elaborate decoration. The entrance to the garbhagṛha is adorned with pañcaśākhās — an ensemble of five decorative elements. These elements consist of puṣpa (flower), nara (human), stambha (pillar), latā (creeper), and vyāḷaśākhā (serpent). However, both the interior and exterior walls of the temple are devoid of carvings. There are no bhadrakoṣhṭhas (niches for deities) outside the garbhagṛha, making it an exception to certain traditional temple architecture norms.

Temples of Vishnu and Paḷasanātha.

Śikhara of the Paḷasanātha temple.

Details of the śikhara.

kakṣāsanas and vedikas.

Sculptural panels of Sugriva-Vali and Rama-Lakshmana.

Natesh

Sabhāmaṇḍapa of the temple.

Exterior of the garbhagṛha.

Śikhara: The śikharas on the sabhāmaṇḍapa and mukhamaṇḍapa have fallen. Some of their remaining portions are visible. These śikharas seem to be of a phāmsanā type. However, the śikhara over the Garbhagṛiha is intact. The grand śikhara over the Garbhagṛiha of the temple is built in Bhūmija style and is of Saptabhauma type (seven levels). The śikhara is made of artistic bricks. The śukanāsikā part is adjacent to the śikhara. From the overall architectural structure, this temple should be of Yādava period i.e. c. 13th century CE. The oldest temple in this temple complex is the 12th-century temple of Saraḍeśvara. Both these temples are surrounded by a fencing wall.

Small śikharas on the sabhāmaṇḍapa and mukhamaṇḍapa.

A loose sculpture of Hanumāna.

Uma-Maheshvar alingana Murti.

Har-Gauri.

Horse rider

Concluding Remarks: On the whole, this is probably the grandest and the best Bhūmija style śikhara in the entire Pune district. Due to continuous water inundation, the sole surviving śikhara of the temple will likely collapse in the future. Hereafter, an attempt should be made to stop the flow of water by putting a weir outside the temple.