Bhuleshwar is a historic temple situated around 45 kms from Pune (Magarpatta, Hadapsar). Like many other temples around Pune, this 800 years old temple is also built on top of a ghat (hill). The short distance from Pune, and the location and historicalness of this temple make it ideal for a day trip.
The route to Bhuleshwar is pretty straightforward. We started from Magarpatta, and got onto the Hadapsar-Sholapur road (NH9). It is a straight road for about 35 km to the Yavat village. On the way, you would cross a couple of toll plazas. Pay for a round trip toll ticket for Rs 34.50 at the first one at Loni, and you would be set for the whole trip.
Once you take a right from the highway towards the Yavat village, begins a 10 km stretch where you can finally enjoy the drive to the temple. A year ago this road used to be an unpaved road full of small rocks and rubble, which made the drive to the temple nothing less than a torchure. The newly laid out road is pretty good, and you would enjoy the scenic drive through the ghats.
The last half a kilometer is extremely steep with a pretty narrow road, so you need to drive very carefully. Once you reach the temple premises there is a proper parking space, and it offers a good ariel view of the villages at the bottom of the hill.
What lies inside the temple is nothing less than a treasure. There are amongst the finest carvings and statutes of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Many of the carvings seem to be telling a story, but it was a shame that there was no guide or any kind of information put out anywhere in the temple premises. At the heart of the temple, there lies a Shiva linga enclosed in a small room. We had to wait for the priest to open the room to get the darshan. The priest spoke about a popular belief that at the time of prayers, when sweets are offered to the Shiv linga, there have been occurrences when the sweets have disappeared. The priest also spoke about the mutilation of the carvings and statutes done by Aurangzeb and his troops.
There are ample open spaces to lay down a mat and relax. You wouldn't find any kind of food arrangements close to the temple, so take your own food along. Bhuleshwar makes for an ideal day trip, giving you a chance to enjoy the peace and tranquility of this historic temple at the top of a hill.
