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Reesearch Paper - ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE - Final

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Karthikeyan Rajamanickam
MITU22MARC0002
M.Arch TIAKS FY 22-23
ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Abstract:
India with its own heritage has temples rich in sculptures of gods, goddesses and
yogis. Someshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Dumala in the suburbs of Pune.
The art and architecture of the temple resembles similarities with Veesara architecture and
hence features of this temple are different from the other temples of Maharashtra.

The temple adorn with various sculpture of deities like Shiva, Bairava, Ganesh, some
incarnation of Vishnu and Nath-sidhas. The depiction of Nath-sidhas in this temple is an
important piece of evidence to understand the temple ages to medieval period.

The main aim of this article is to document the iconography of sculptures found in
Someshwar temple with the help of photographs. The sculptures in this temple are an
important source of information on the socio-religious scenarios of modern society in this
region.

Keywords: Shiva, Iconography, Medieval temple, Art and architecture, Sculptures, Step
wells, Nath-Siddhas, Mahadeva Temple, Maharashtra.

Introduction:
The Someshwara temple is located at Pimpri-Dumala(18° 46’ 32.02” N; 74° 13’ 1.51
E), a Village in Shirur Taluka in Pune District of Maharashtra State, India. It is located 55
KM towards East from Pune. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and rich in sculptures of
various god and goddesses both inside and somewhere spread across outside of the temple
complex. It has step well to the southern side of the sabhamandapa. Close to stepwell we can
find a mandap with sculpture of Vishnu and his incarnations, those might be remains of a
dilapidated temple of its own or from close by, Rameshwar temple in the same village was in
a totally ruined and only some pillars and sculptures were scattered around Someshwar
temple. [1]

The shrine has the typical art and architecture of hindu temples, the main sanctum –
garbhagraha, the vestibule – antarala, the assembly hall or gathering space – sabhamandapa
and the shelter for vaahan of shiva – nandi mandapa (Fig 1). The sculptures were vastly seen
on the exterior of the temple – in the jangha portion (Fig 2), which is much similar to the
temples of Hoysala architecture. This feature makes this temple unique from the temples in
this region.

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ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Fig 1: Plan of Someshwar Temple (Not to Scale)

Fig 2: Showing the Jangha Portion

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ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Iconography:
Iconography representations seen in Someshwar temple of various gods such as Shiva,
Parvati, Ganesha, Vishnu including Nath panths, Surasundari, and other sculptures.

Fig 3:Plan showing the position & number of Sculptures

There are hundreds of sculptures on the Jangha phase, Column and temple inside. The
ICONOGRAPHY is documented and described clockwise as Pradhikshana Path through
Photographs only in the jangha portion (Fig 3). Images shown in the order of placement as
per the plan (Fig 4 – Fig 15)

Fig 4: 01-07(left to right) Unidentified, Sursundari, Yogi, Yogi(Guru), Ganesha(worshipped


by Yogi/Disciple), Man with lady

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ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Fig 5: 08-14(left to right) darpana sundari, nidentified, woman giving birth, man with penis,
sursundari, lady, man with phallus

Fig 6: 15-20(left to right) women with Padma, Unidentified, Unidentified , Yogi in


padmasana and namaskar mudra, Yogi in padmasana, Unidentified

Fig 7: 21-25(left to right) Yogi in Padmasana, Yogi in Padmasana, Sursndari, Unidentified ,


Yogi in padmasana

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ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Fig 8: 26-34(left to right) Sursndari, Yogi, Unidentified , Ganesha, Devotee – teertangara


(nude and long fingers) , Devotee – Unidentified, Yogi

Fig 9: 35 Bhairava(left) Fig 10: 36-41(left to right) Yogi, Unidentified , Sursndari, Vishnu,
Unidentified Yogi, Lakshmi?(Right)

Fig 11: 42-47(left to right) Unidentified, Sursndari with Chamara, Unidentified , Bhrinji(?),
Yogi , Unidentified

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ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Fig 12: 48 Shiva(left) Fig 13: 49-54(left to right) Sursundari, Darpana Sundari,
Sursundari, Unidentified, maid women(?), Unidentified Yogi (Right)

Fig 14: 55-60(left to right) Unidentified Yogi, Sursndari, Unidentified, Sursndari with
Chamara,Unidentified, Unidentified(left) Fig 15: 61 Chamunda (right)

Fig 16: 62-70(left to right) Bhrinji (?), unidentified, Gana, Natarajar, Sursndari,
Unidentified, Sursundari with Chamara,Unidentified, Devotee

Fig 17 (left): 71-75(left to right)


seshnath(?)snake, Unidentified Yogi,
Sursundari, Unidentified Yogi, Ganesh

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ICONOGRAPHY OF SOMESHWAR TEMPLE, PIMPRI-DUMALA, PUNE

Fig 18: 76-81(left to right) Snake, Sursndari, UnidentifiedYogi , HariHara, Sursundari with
Chamara, Anna Lakshmi (?)

Fig 19: 82-89(left to right) Ganesh with Devotee, women playing mardala – baansuree,
Narthagi, Lakshmi (?), Unidentified, Sursundaris

Fig 20: 90-95(left to right) Narthagi, Sursundaris, Narthagi, Unidentified

References:
1. Sarde, V. 2014. Nath-Siddha sculptures on the Someshwara Temple at Pimpri-
Dumaal in Pune District, Maharashtra, BDCRI 74: 117-126. 5)
2. Art and architecture of Someshwar temple at pimpri-dumala, punedistrict,Maharashtra

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