Kalyaneshwar Mandir: A marvel with 97 pillars
| Date :24-Nov-2020 |
By Rajendra Diwe :
THE east facing ancient Kalyaneshwar Shiv Mandir is the wonderful historical temple in the city. According to some documents, this temple was constructed by Raje Raghuji Bhonsale in 1785 while some historians documented that the temple was built by Chimabai, mother of Raje Raghuji Bhonsale in 1794. This means the temple is more than 225 years old. Black stone and sandstones were used initially for its construction. This temple represents mediaeval tradition as ‘Pushpachakra’ is above the both sides of the arcade, said Dr Sheshshayan Deshmukh, indologist and promoter of Warsa Darshan.
“The structure is rectangular measuring 15x13 meter. The temple is without ‘Jagati’ and ‘Adishthan’ belong to Kamadapeeth class. The complete structure represents Saptangaprasad style. The temple has Garbhagriha, Antaral and Gudh Mandap. The Sabhamandap has 32 pillars out of which four pillars are present in four corners and two pairs of pillars are present in eight places. There are three half pillars each on both ends of Antaral and opposite the entrance of Garbhagruha there is one pair each on both sides. In short there are ten pillars with three arcades. A big statue of Nandi is placed between antaral and sabhamandap. There are 12 pillars at the entrance of Sabhamandap with 11 arcades. This is the only ancient temple in the city which has 97 pillars made out of grey stones,” he added.
Dr Deshmukh mentioned, “There are two Devkoshtha on both sides of antaral. One devkoshtha has a standing idol of Lord Ganesh made up of brass and 0.75 meters high facing north.The Ganesh idol is in a dancing pose placed on Kamalasana with four arms and an idol of a mouse is also there. The other devkoshtha is empty. Garbhagriha entrance is without any carvings. There is another inside gate after the main entrance of Garbhagriha which is of Smarakirtit type. Dwarpal idols are present on both sides and Ganesh idol is installed on the above.”