To study the Temple Architecture and inscriptions of Khandoba temple Jejuri

Abstract

India is land of rich cultural heritage and temples, forts, of various style architects. Maharashtra is no exception for these heritages and various style architects. There are so many temples and architectural monuments with different art observed in Maharashtra. Jejuri is one of the most famous temples of Shiva avatar khandoba in Pune District of Maharashtra state, India with combination of different architectural style. Temple surrounded by fort was built with stones observed in Deccan plateau.The main temple mandap is built with hemadpanthi style in 8 to 12th century with mandap in Yadava’s dynasty and later extended ardhamandap and garbhagriha, shikhara in 16 th century by Maratha chieftain Ragho mambaji. While around temple after dismissal from Mughal, fort is restructured and made around16th -18th centurybyHolkarfamily.Therearearchives,curves,Deepmala and symbols observed in temples shows temple architect combination and how old is the temple. Almost 16 plus inscription observed in main fort. These inscriptions are in Marathi. The various statues on walls like sayal, Garuda, lion, devi, flower etc. indicates the history era. While on footstep many stones have inscriptions are in Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Urdu, Sanskrit etc. These steps are made as rituals followed to make step to climb and offerings towards deity. The fort outlook, corridors is made up of combination of Maratha, Mughal, Deccan, Rajput, architectural style. The welcome arch while climbing steps also have various inscriptions, which show involvement of various kingdom and Sardar family while, built of it. Recent work modification around 1980’s of shikhara is of south Indian style.