Bhuleshwar Temple
Bhuleshwar is a Hindu temple of Shiva, situated around 55 kilometres from Pune. The temple is situated on a hill and was built in the 13th century. There are classical carvings on the walls. It has been declared as a protected monument.
Significance:
Bhuleshwar has a mythological & historical significance. Originally, it was a fort which was called as ‘Mangalgadh’. It is said that Parvati danced for Shiva and from here they went to Kailash and got married. This place is crowded during Mahashivratri.
The temple is also known for the so-called miracle that happens in it. When a bowl of sweet (pedhas) is offered to the Shiva Ling, one or more of the sweets disappear. Actor-travel writer Milind Gunaji writes about his experience with this in his book Mystical, Magical Maharashtra.
The templa also has an idol of Ganesha in female attire. It is popular as Ganeshwari or Lambodari or Ganeshyani.
Location and construction:
Temple was built during the period of 1230 AD during Yadava Rulers. It is believed that the temple was ruined by invaders and reconstructed later because the entrance of the temple is hidden like Gaimukhi Buruj construction of Shivaji’s time.The fort on which the temple is situated is called as Daulatmangal fort, also at times referred as Mangalgad. Black basalt (AA type) rock was brought to construct this temple which is different as compared to surrounding brownish color basalt which has high percentage of calcium (lime – Chuna).The fort was constructed in 1629 by Murar Jagdev who, in 1630, looted Pune. He then built the fort to keep a watch on the city.
How to reach:
Go to the Pune-Solapur highway. Turn towards Hadapsar and proceed in that direction i.e. away from Swargate. You have to travel around 35 kms on this road. You will cross a toll booth where you pay a strange fee of 22.50 Rupees. After the second toll (close to village Uruli), you have to take a right. This right turn is 3 kms after the second tool and 2 kms before the village Yavat. There is a sign on the left side of the road pointing to the right lane (marked as Bhuleshwar). You will also see another sign on the right (next to the lane) which has directions to many other places like Sasvad, Narayanpur etc. You have to go on this road for a further 8-9 kms before you reach a ghat section.
The entire ghat section has been relaid and it is a good tar road to drive on. After you reach the plateau on top, Bhuleshwar temple woul dbe visible to the right. You have to take a right and then climb upto the temple’s parking. The last 100-150 metres was incredibly steep with me having to stay in the first gear the entire stretch. If you don’t want to try this, park it before this steep stretch and climb up on the stairs. I couldn’t find this village road on google maps nor could i do a visual identification of the temple on google earth, but the map provided below should give you an idea of the location where you have to take a right from the Pune-Solapur highway.
