Rameshvar Temple, Talegaon-Dhamdhere

A late Maratha period temple of Rāmeśvara Mahādeva (18.669892, 74.150681) is on the bank of River ‘Velu’ at the northern side of village Talegaon-Dhamdhere. This temple is east facing, and its structure consists of nandīmaṇḍapa, sabhāmaṇḍapa , and garbhagṛha in general.

A ground plan of the Rāmeśvara Mahādeva temple.

Architecture: The temple premises can be accessed by climbing some steps on the southern side. In Rāmeśvara temple, the nandīmaṇḍapa and sabhāmaṇḍapa are connected. It means the nandīmaṇḍapa is formed by joining two pillars of the nandīmaṇḍapa and two pillars of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Nandīmaṇḍapa is 190 cm long and 180 cm wide. Nandī is placed in the nandīmaṇḍapa.

The sabhāmaṇḍapa has three arches in the facade. There is a kūrmaśilpa in the center of the maṇḍapa. The length of the sabhāmaṇḍapa is 494 cm, and the width is 445 cm. The vitāna of the maṇḍapa tapers at the top, due to which it appears like a pyramid. There are two niches on each left and right wall of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The garbhagṛha can be entered from the sabhāmaṇḍapa. The entrance to the garbhagṛha is simple. The lalāṭabimba is empty. A kīrtimukha is carved on the udumbara. The length of the garbhagṛha is 317 cm, and the width is 335 cm. The śivalinga is in the center of the garbhagṛha. Whereas two empty devakoṣhṭhas can be seen in two corners at the back. The second of them has two marble footsteps. These steps might be of a fragmented image.

There is another devakoṣhṭha in the wall behind the śivalinga, which contains a loose stone image of Mahiṣāsuramardinī. The roof of the garbhagṛha is similar to the roof of the sabhāmaṇḍapa. Apart from these, there are niches in the garbhagṛha. Rāmeśvara temple has the original śikhara and it has been painted. A few images are seen in the kūṭaśikharas. A śikhara is also visible on the sabhāmaṇḍapa. There is a tulasī vriṅdāvana and a small Maruti temple on the premises.

Rāmeśvara Mahādeva temple.

The śivalinga is in the center of the garbhagṛha.

Two marble footsteps.

Tulasī vriṅdāvana

Concluding Remarks: The owner and priest of this temple is Mr. Anil Sadashiv Narake. Bhanḍārā and abhiṣeka are performed in the month of Śrāvaṇa. On that occasion, many devotees come here for darśana. Overall, the plan of this temple and that of the Mahādeva temple near the Mārutī temple in the village are alike. Based on the architectural design, this temple was probably built in the second half of the 18th century CE.