Sacred Mankeshwar Temple Mankeshwar, Bhum, Dharashiv

The Mankeshwar Temple in Dharashiv district is one of the few ancient and renowned temples that preserves a rich heritage of architecture. The name of the Mankeshwar Temple at Bhum is prominently mentioned alongside other ancient architectural marvels such as the Kopeshwar Temple at Khidrapur, Siddheshwar at Degloor, Aishwaryeshwar at Sinnar, Narayaneshwar at the foothills of Purandar, and the Shiva temple at Ambarnath. The presence of the Satwai Temple adjacent to this historical site adds a unique aura to the temple complex.

Situated on the banks of the Vishwarupa River, this temple dates back to the period between 1100 and 1150 CE. An inscription found in the temple premises, recording a donation made by the Yadava King Singhana II, confirms the antiquity of the temple. The intricate sculptures and the Hemadpanti architectural style are testaments to this historical legacy. According to legend, the Chalukya King Daksha installed the Manik Linga in this temple, which is why the deity is named Mankeshwar. Another legend suggests that the temple was built by demons in a single night and vanished as soon as dawn broke.

Located one kilometer from the village, the temple has a parking area in front of it. The temple stands on a three-foot-high plinth (adhisthana), which features various decorative layers including the adhahpada and kani. The temple, comprising a mukhamandapa (entrance porch), sabhamandapa (main hall), antarala (vestibule), and garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), has three steps leading to the mukhamandapa. On both sides of these steps, the jagati (platform) is adorned with rows of elephants, humans, and floral motifs. The mukhamandapa features kakshasanas (stone benches) on both sides, topped by four ornate pillars.

The enclosed sabhamandapa contains four rows of four ornate pillars each, with the outer pillars integrated into the walls. Standing on square bases, these pillars are carved in various geometric shapes, including circular, square, hexagonal, and octagonal forms. They are embellished with diverse sculptures, geometric patterns, foliage, flowers, animals, birds, serpents, and various deities. The pillar panels depict mythological scenes. One pillar features the Varaha avatar of Vishnu, while another displays the Venugopala sculpture, showing the four-armed Lord Krishna playing the flute, with a conch and discus in his upper hands. In the center of the sabhamandapa, there is a rangashila (raised platform) a few inches above the floor, with pillars at each of its four corners.

The entrance to the antarala, located ahead of the sabhamandapa, features seven doorjambs (saptadwarashakha). These include sculptures of door guardians (dwarapala and dwarapalika) at the base, followed by decorative bands of vines, mythical creatures (vyala), humans, and pillars. The lintel (lalatabimba) features an image of Lord Ganesha, with shikhar (spire) sculptures above it. The threshold includes a chandrashila (moonstone) with a kirtimukha carving. There are three sanctums on the three sides of the antarala. The entrances to the main, right, and left sanctums each have five doorjambs, adorned with guardians at the base and decorative bands of vines, humans, vyalas, and pillars above. The lintels feature Ganesha images topped by shikhara carvings.

The main sanctum is about eight feet lower than the antarala, accessible by descending ten steps. Inside, there is a Shiva Linga on the floor, with an abhishek vessel hanging from the ceiling to drip water onto the Linga. A brass trident stands beside the Shiva Linga. The right sanctum also houses a Shiva Linga, while the left sanctum remains empty. The ceilings of all three sanctums are intricately carved.

There are 109 sculptures on the temple’s exterior walls (mandovara), with a total of 347 sculptures throughout the temple. A sculpture of a lady writing a letter (patralekhika surasundari) located in the center of the mandovara has become significant due to controversy. Until a few years ago, this figure was worshipped as the goddess Satwai and was coated with vermilion. However, experts in ancient temples and sculpture believe that vermilion coating disfigures and threatens historical artifacts. Recently, the vermilion has been removed, allowing the sculpture to be seen in its original form.

There is also an image of Bhairava, depicted with a garland of skulls and holding a skull-cup and sword, with Nandi near his feet. Nearby is a sculpture of Vishnu holding his attributes—the conch, discus, and mace—with Garuda at his feet. There is also a Harihara sculpture, representing the union of the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects, which were historically considered rivals. This figure is easily identified by the presence of Garuda on one side and Nandi on the other at its feet. In the same row is an image of Mahishasuramardini, the revered deity of the Shakta sect. Beside her is an image of Bhairava, adorned with a skull garland, holding a skull and a damaru, with a serpent coiled around his legs. Additionally, there are other surasundari sculptures, including Putra Vallabha, Vishakanya, Mardala, and Nartaki. The mandovara contains three niches (devakoshthakas), which experts believe once housed divine idols. On the exterior behind the temple, there is a makara-mukha (crocodile-faced) spout for the drainage of abhishek water. A circumambulatory path (pradakshina marga) runs around the exterior of the temple along the plinth. The roof of the sanctum is crowned with a dome-shaped shikhara and a kalasha.

In front of the temple lies the plinth of a Nandi-mandapa. The elephant frieze on the plinth is in excellent condition. Currently, only the base remains, which holds Nandi and other sculptures, but the superstructure has vanished. In the courtyard, there is a canopy (meghadambari) containing a Shiva Linga. Beside the Shiva temple is the recently built Satwai Devi Temple. In its sanctum, on a vajra-pitha (diamond-shaped pedestal), sits the vermilion-anointed idol of Goddess Satwai.

Mahashivratri is the main festival celebrated for Mankeshwar Mahadev, while the annual festival for Goddess Satwai is celebrated with great devotion on Chaitra Purnima. It is a tradition to offer vows (navas) to the Goddess, including roosters, goats, sarees, blouses, cloth pieces, and coconuts. Special festivals are also observed during the months of Shravan and Adhik Maas, as well as on Chaitra Padwa, Sharadiya Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali. During these festivals, thousands of devotees visit to seek blessings and fulfill their vows. Various religious programs are organized on these occasions.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery