Just a few minutes walk from the Bhairavnath Temple lies one of the most ancient temples of Saswad in Pune: Sangameshwar Temple. The temple dates back to the Yadav ruled era around the 10th century and you cross a small bridge to reach the place.

When we reach the place, the sun is high above the mountains hushing the temple in its mid-noon siesta.

The temple is a stony affair, built entirely in massive and serene stones adding to its rustic charisma. In contrast to the boulder-ed temple, it's surroundings are exquisite, scenic and full of greenery. Huge trees provide shady canopies overlooking the enormous confluence (sangam) stream of Karha and Chameli Rivers flowing through the seismic town.

A view of the Sangameshwar Temple, Saswad, Pune

A flight of steep stairs bring you to the temple’s pavilion area where you can rest and enjoy the scenery. A scenery, which transports you back in time – some ten centuries back.

Steep flight of stairs at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

The ancient Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

The sight of small spires ejecting heavenwards from the mini temples around, a coiling stream merging with the olive vegetation far in the distance, and grayish mountains standing guard in the backdrop is a very calming experience – a blissful sight indeed!

Adjoining Temple of the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

As you walk into the temple, you are immediately bought face to face with a grand life-size Nandi, in black stone, His eyes fixed on His Master Shiva.

 Life like Nandi Bull at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad entrance, Pune

The pavilion opens up into a sabhamandap (temple hall) where you come across one more Nandi, this time ornately painted in colors and right across the main temple hall, the garbhagriha.

The colorful ornate Nandi Bull at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

Just outside the sanctum sanctorum sits Lord Ganesh and other guardian deities carved in the niches of the rugged walls.
Lord Ganesha at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune
Carvings at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

 The garbhagriha is a dark roomed cellar, with a lone diya over the Shivling spreading its radiance around. You can see Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha in the background; a picture of Saint Sopandev painted on the sidewall looks on. The sanctum room breathes in pin-drop silence wrapping the air in a mystical enigma.

The ancient Shivling at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

The temple is a very ancient one alright but what I personally find most impressive about the temple is its name - Sangameshwar - one look around and the name rings true in every direction my eyes can see...

 Be it in the confluence of the Karha and the Chameli Rivers...

 The canal at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

 Be it the integrating contrast of the lifeless stones and the colorful foliage that formed a wonderful panorama...

 The beautiful views from the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

Be it the imposing intricately carved shikhara beneath the deep blue sky… 

The ancient stony Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

Be it the mini black colored Shivling wrapped in the fragrance of a bright red rose offered by a devout…

 A Shivling at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

Don't they seem to remind of the myriad contrasts?

... like black and white,
like dark and light,
like joys and sorrows,
like hope and despair,

The green foliage at the Sangameshwar Shiva Temple, Saswad, Pune

... a different kind of a sangam perhaps ...
of those, that make up this thing called life.

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