Dhokeshwar Mahadeva temple is located around 2-3 kms from village Takali (near Shirur on Pune-Ahmednagar highway, after one takes the road for Ralegaon Siddhi village).
The temple is located on a hillock and has been carved out in a cave. One has to climb several stone steps to reach the top.
The cave has a fortification around it, possibly built in the 18-19th century. The cave itself is said to have been built sometime in the 5-6th century AD.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and its walls are adorned with beautiful sculptings of Shiva,Parvati,Ganesh and other celestial beings, besides motifs and animal figurines.
The Gabhara is a room housing the Shivalinga and has a dark passageway (circumambulatory) around it .
There are two huge dwarpal sculptings at the two sides of the door frame of the gabhara which immediately catch the eye.
There are two huge dwarpal sculptings at the two sides of the door frame of the gabhara which immediately catch the eye.
There is a Nandi idol situated on the right hand side of the passage, besides the main Nandi statue in the antarala.
One also sees two carved stone slabs which resemble a veergal (hero stone).
There is a medieval deepamala outside the cave and is a latter addition.
One also notices a empty vihara like room in a cave just above the main cave, besides a water cistern alongside.
On the way down , one also notices an stone structure which is an abandoned medieval age temple. It houses some Shivalingas. Also scattered around are some carved stones, besides a shilalekh.
Text and Photographs : Abhijit Rajadhyaksha
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ReplyDeletenamaskar, thanks for providing important information. can you give more details.
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