Kambare Kambareshwar Temple, Maharashtra

Address

Kambare Kambareshwar Temple Kambare, Pune District Maharashtra 412205

Diety

Kambareshwar

Introduction

The Kambareshwar Temple, originally known as the Karmahareshwar Temple, is a significant Lord Shiva temple located in Kambare Village, Bhor Taluk, Pune District, Maharashtra, India.

Dedication: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known by two names, Kambareshwar and Karmahareshwar, both referring to Lord Shiva.

Location: It is situated within a small dam in the Velvandi River, which adds to its unique and serene setting.

Age: The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old, making it a historically and culturally significant place of worship.

Accessibility: The temple is accessible by road and is located approximately 7 kilometers from Nasrapur Bus Stand, 39 kilometers from Pune city, and 50 kilometers from Pune Airport. It is situated on the Pune to Satara route.

Legend: The temple has an interesting legend associated with its origin. According to local folklore, a farmer ploughed the area where the temple now stands and noticed an unknown object hitting his plow. Upon investigation, he found that the object was oozing blood. Terrified, he left the field but returned the next day to discover a Swayambu Linga (a self-manifested Shiva Linga) at the same spot. He shared this miraculous discovery with the villagers, and together they built a temple at the site.

Pandava Connection: Another legend suggests that the temple was built by the Pandavas, the central characters of the Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It is said that they constructed the temple overnight.

Seasonal Accessibility: One unique aspect of the Kambareshwar Temple is that it is submerged in the dam’s waters for most of the year (10 months) and can only be visited during May and June when the water level in the dam recedes, revealing the temple. This adds to its mystique and makes it a special pilgrimage destination during these months.

Temple Architecture: The temple consists of a sanctum and a mandapa. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Kambareshwar or Karmahareshwar, in the form of a Swayambhu Shiva Linga. In front of the temple, two idols of Nandi (the sacred bull associated with Lord Shiva) can be seen facing the sanctum. Additionally, an image of Goddess Parvathy is also enshrined in the temple. The temple’s walls are constructed with stones, while the roof and upper part are made of limestone and bricks.