Bhuleshwar Temple – it’s the famous Shiva temple about 45km from Pune, 10km from Pune-Solapur highway near Yavat, on top of Daulatmangal / Mangalgad fort. It’s an 8th century temple, restored in 1230 CE during Yadava rulers, made of black basalt so it looks like a fort from outside – deliberately to confuse invaders.People in Pune call it Buleshwar / Bhuleshwar. There are 3-4 miracles / mysteries linked to it that make it very different from other Shiva temples:
1. The Pedha disappearing miracle – the main one
This is the most talked about. When a bowl of pedhas (sweets) is offered to the Shiva Linga, one or more sweets disappear.
- Some versions say if you offer 5 pedhas, 1 disappears immediately.
- Other accounts say they disappear the next day, or immediately after offering.
- Actor-travel writer Milind Gunaji wrote about witnessing this himself in his book Mystical, Magical Maharashtra.
- Local belief: If your pedha disappears, your wish will be granted by Lord Shiva.
There is no proven explanation – priests and devotees consider it Shiva accepting the prasad.
2. Ghee turning solid
Another miracle noted inside the garbhagriha: when devotees offer ghee (clarified butter) to the Shiva Linga, it is said to turn solid. Devotees take it as a divine blessing.
3. The name itself – Bhul – forgetfulness
It is believed that when the temple was rediscovered after being lost for centuries, many devotees felt a sense of forgetfulness and confusion upon entering. So it was named ‘Bhuleshwar’ from ‘Bhool’ meaning forgetfulness.
4. Other unique things that add to the mystery
Parvati’s dance: Local folklore says Goddess Parvati did penance here to please Shiva, and they performed Tandav Nritya here before going to Kailash for marriage.
Female Ganesha: The temple has an idol of Ganesha in female attire, known as Ganeshwari or Lambodari or Ganeshyani – very rare in India.
Light play: The composition of light inside is a phenomenon. Sun rays enter through gaps in the roof and reflect off wall carvings to create a magical play of light on the deities. It’s a favorite for photographers.
The temple was attacked and idols were disfigured during Mughal period, and the fort around it was built in 1629 by Murar Jagdev.
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