Daund is a tehsil place in the Pune district and also a well-known railway junction. This city is situated around 82 km. from Pune on the right bank of the Bhima River. One can reach here by train from Pune within an hour. There is an old temple of Viṭṭhala in the main settlement of Daund (18.467165, 74.586937). Although the temple has been restored now, the original 13th-century maṇḍapa is still standing today. At present, two phases of the temple construction can be seen. The first phase shows the original construction done in the Yādava period and the second phase generally belongs to the Marāṭhā period.

Doorway to the inner sabhāmaṇḍapa

Yādava Era Maṇḍapa: Upon entering the Viṭṭhala temple, the first thing one encounters is the maṇḍapa from the Yādava period. This maṇḍapa features four elaborately carved stambhas and eight vāmanstambhas located in the kakṣāsanas on three sides. Additionally, six ardhastambhas are present in this area. The back wall of the maṇḍapa has an entrance designed with pañcaśākhā, consisting of latā, stambha, and ratna śākhās. Notably, dwārpālas and other details are absent below these śākhās. Two kīrtīmukhas flank either side of the uduṁbara, and several miniature sculptures enrich this space. The sculpture of Gaṇeśa is prominently carved on the lalāṭapaṭṭa, and the uttarāṅga features five visible laghuśikharas.

Both sides of the door have empty devakoṣṭhas, currently housing modern images of saints like Jñāneśvar, Tukārām, and Nāmdev. The stambhas in the maṇḍapa boast a range of carved designs at their central portions, such as composite sculptures, kīrtīmukhas, fights between elephants and tigers, peacocks, flowers, and other figures. Bhārvāhakas adorn the stambhaśīrṣas. Lastly, the vitānas in this maṇḍapa are particularly eye-catching.

Yadava period maṇḍapa, Viṭṭhala temple

Marāṭhā period Maṇḍapa: The section of the temple that follows is from the Marāṭhā period, featuring a sabhāmaṇḍapa located in front of the garbhagṛha. This sabhāmaṇḍapa is supported by four intricately carved stambhas and twelve ardhastambhas. These pillars showcase beautiful craftsmanship. The roof covering the raṅgaśiḷā is dome-shaped and aesthetically pleasing. The lower section of the vitāna hosts two sculptures. One of them portrays a dramatic scene where a man is depicted in combat with a wild boar and a tiger, accompanied by a snake. The second sculpture also presents a human figure entangled with snakes. There are few devakoṣṭhas in the sabhāmaṇḍapa beside the garbhagṛha.

Sabhāmaṇḍapa of Marāṭhā period

A stambha in inner sabhāmaṇḍapa

A man fighting a wild boar and a tiger

Garbhagṛha: The entrance of the garbhagṛha is with pañcaśākhās. It seems that it must have been restored to some extent. Marāṭhā style images of Viṭṭhala, Rāhī and Rukmiṇī are placed on a platform in the garbhagṛha.

Images of Viṭṭhala, Rāhī and Rukmiṇī

Painting of Varāha avatāra

Additional Information: The śikhara of Viṭṭhala temple is tall and seems to have been constructed during the Marāṭhā period. Some beautiful recent paintings of Daśāvatārs can be seen in Viṭṭhala temple. The overall condition of the Viṭṭhala temple in Daund is good, and it attracts a steady stream of devotees throughout the year. Also, a temple of Bhairavanātha is within walking distance of this temple. It has been completely restored and even the ruins of the original temple are not visible today.