BANESHWAR TEMPLE

Gunjan maval is famous for many historical places, giant mountains and very strong citadels like Torna, Rajgad on giant mountains of sahyadri range.
A very famous holy place of Lord Shiva, Baneshwar Temple is in the same maval division.Gunjan maval got its name from Gunjavani river.There are many forts, shrines, old temples in this old division of maval. One of them is the famous Baneshwar.
This holy place is stands on the bank of Shivganga river and is 45km in the south of Pune city.From the main Mumbai- Banglore a small branch heads towards west, called as Nasarapur phata. This roads heads to Rajgad fort via Nasarapur village, which is just 10 mins drive from highway.
At the end of the village lies Baneshwar gateway on the right.
Small road through dense forest makes us realise, why this place is called Baneshwar.
This ancient temple was built in 1749 by Nanasaheb Peshwa. And total construction cost paid was 11,426 rupees, 8 aane and 6 paise (Rs 11,426 and 56 paise). [ Ref.: Peshawe kalin patrsar sangraha]

Main temple is surrounded by strong wall. The main entrance is in Sounth-East( Aagneya) side. After entering the temple premises, there are 2 holy water tanks called as kundas on right.
In first kundas which is on the northen most side, the continuous water stream flows from the Gomukha, a cow face. Water in this kuda was used for performing holy rituals of temple and drinking. There is small hole provided to this kunda which lets the water enter in the second kunda. Water from this kunda was used for washing and taking a bath.
a nandi mandap is on the south of the first kunda. Baneshwar temple is in front of Nandi temple. There are three parts of this temple Sopa (hallway), Sabhamandap and garbhagriha(Sanctum).
The hallway of this temple is of three semi compartment with square pediment and dome. There is lotus leaf sculpted pillar of the hallway. In the central compartment a big bell is mounted.
This is the Portuguese bell which is made of gun metal, the mixture of tin and brass. This bell is the symbol of victory of a maratha army over Portuguese army in Vasai. There is no doubt these pious Portuguese were active in propagating their faith. Chimajiappa, a younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa flew a new campaign of Vasai between 1737AD to 1739AD. This great worrior and commander defeated the Portuguese by capturing the entire region between Daman in the north to Vasai near Mumbai. Marathas captured many bells from the different Portuguese church during this campaign. The one at Baneshwar is the same.
Christian cross symbol and year 1683 carved on this bell is clearly visible.After hallway is the Mandapa(Sabhamandap) which has no pillar and whole pyramidal vault is rested on four walls of mandapas. Through Sabhamandap, we enter in the Garbhagriha, the sanctum. There is the Shankar-Parvati idol in the fron wall with Kartikeya on the lower left and Ganesh on the lower right corners.
In front of this idol is the main north faced shiva linga. Actually this is just lid with shape of linga.
Original group of five shiva linga is inside the hole under this lid. Continious water stream flows through this hole. These lingas can be seen by placing a leaf on the water face with litted camphor on it.
Most amezing thing in this temple is water circumambulatory system. No wonder if we call baneshwar, a water temple. Water is first stored in tank which lets the water enter in the first kunda through gomukha, when first kunda is totally filled, the water enters in the second kunda through small hole at the top. This water enters in a circumalator which flows arond the temple and continuously water flows through it.