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PLACES
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KHARSUNDI
Kharsundi, originally a village in Khanapur taluka with 2,165 inhabitants as per the 1961 Census, is now included in Atapadi mahal. It has two primary schools and a high school conducted by the Rayat Siksan Samstha. Kharsundi is well-known for the shrine of Siddhesvar, popularly known as Kharsund Siddh said to be of considerable antiquity. At that time, the site occupied by the village was a forest grassland and perhaps came to be populated with the building of the above mentioned temple. A story as to how the present temple came to be built is told by the local inhabitants as also by the Purdnns. It is said that Mhasvad was one the seven residential places of Siddh muni, a devotee of Sankar. Now at a place called Cincoli, 1.60 km (one mile) distant from Kharsundi, there lived one Nayappa Gavli who was an intense devotee of Mhasvad Siddh. On every Saturday Nayappa made a trip to Mhasvad and paid homage to the idol of Siddh with offerings of milk and curds. But in his. old age he could not make the Saturday trip. His devotion was so intense that the God being pleased with him appeared in a dream and is believed to have told him "I am very much pleased with your selfless devotion and am grieved at your handicap in coming over to Mhasvad. You no longer need come to Mhasvad. I shall appear in the meadows where you tend your cattle. You will find one of your heifers sprouting forth beestings and that will automatically take the shape of two lings". From that day Nayappa kept a close watch over his herd and one day was pleased to see the dream come true. People from far and near began to come to the place to witness the miracle, for a miracle it was indeed.
A temple was constructed to house these lings. It is built in brick and mortar and the gate of the compound wall surrounding it is surmounted by a music gallery. In front of the temple there are as many as eleven dipmals, varying from 6 to 9½ metres (20 to 30 ft.) in height. The temple can be conveniently divided into three parts. The outer hall measures 15.24x15.24 metres (50'x50') and contains a brass image of the heifer believed to have sprouted beestings. The middle hall is. much smaller and contains a slab of stone. It is believed that. any pronouncement made by mounting this slab comes true. To the left hand of the visitor, in a small chamber is the samadhi of Nayappa Gavli. Two brass plated pillars flank the passage leading to the vestibule. containing the two lings and the idols of Bhairavnath or more popularly known as Kharsundi Siddh and that of Balabal, his consort. It is crowned with a tall Sikhara. Within the compound to the left hand side of the temple there is a dharmasala as also some corridors.
This place was formerly the domain of Pant Pratinidhi of Aundh State and the then Government of Aundh instituted the practice of holding ydtrds at Kharsundi, Dighanci and Atapadi. These yatras were principally held for the purpose of displaying the khillar breed of cattle, for which this part of the country is so well-known. The khillar type of cattle are in great demand and hence these yatras are frequented by a large number of cattle dealers and buyers. At Kharsundi this practice seems to have begun some three centuries ago and was instituted by one
Eknath Anandrav Despande under the aegis of the ex-State of Aundh. Two fairs, one on Caitra Vadya Astami and the other in the month of Pausa, are held in honour of Kharsund Siddh. While the first one has religious importance, the second is. important for the cattle market. About 50,000 persons gather on the occasions.
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