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Temples / Pilgrimages / Places of Worship in Maharashtra |
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 Ganapati Temple
The Ganapati temple situated on banks of river Krishna at Sangli is most
beautiful temple in south Maharashtra. It is a tutelar deity of Sangli.
Thorle (elder) Chintamanrao Patwardhan consecrated the idol in 1843.
The Temple
This temple is very famous for its artistic construction. It is built out
of black stone made available from the hills of Jyotiba. The temple has a
large premise, covering a sprawling two acres. It comprises of a platform,
an excellent hall and a "Nagarkhana". The door of the sanctum is carved
out of different coloured natural wood. The temple is located on eastern
bank of river Krishna. Aagashi Jain Mandir
About 5-km from Virar, there is a 400 years old ancient Parshwanath
Temple. During " Kartik Poornima " every year, a very big festival is
organised at this temple, which is visited by large number of devotees.
Ballaleshwar Vinayka Temple
Palicha Shree Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple is situated 110 kms away from
Pune . It is one of the Astha Vinayak temples dedicated to Ganapati.
Ganapati is known here as Ballaleshwar. This temple is named after a
devotee Ballal of Pali. Nana Phadnis constructed the temple in 1770.
According to the legend during the reign of Krut, a trader called Kalyan
Shreshthi lived in the Sindhu land. Ballal was the son of Kalyan and a
great devotee of Ganesha. Many of his friends also became devotees of the
Lord Ganesha following his example. The parents of these boys accused
Kalyan's son of ruining the other children.
Out of anger Kalyan destroyed all the things laid out for a puja for the
worship of Ganesha. He tied his son to a tree and beat him up while other
children escaped and then he threw his son out of his home. When Ballal
regained consciousness, he invoked Ganapati. The God soothed the boy's
wounds and Ballal asked Ganapati to stay at the place forever. Ganesha
agreed to take the name Ballal Vinayak, honouring the devotion of the
young boy.
Earlier the deity was placed in a wooden temple. The temple faces east and
the rays of the sun fall on the idol from the month of July to December.
The wooden temple was so constructed that the rays of the sun fall
directly on the deity from the two equinoxes of the temple. It looks like
a giant fort that has strong protective walls. The hall and the shrine
present a beautiful picture.
The Ganesh idol in the temple is 3 ft. high facing towards east and the
trunk points to the left. The image of Ganesha is flanked by his consorts
Siddhi and Riddhi. The eyes are studded with diamonds. Just behind the
temple, another temple of Ganesh, known as Dhundi Vinayak is situated.
There is a big bell installed by the Peshwas in the temple, which is of
Portuguese make. Nearby Pali is Sudhagad, which is famous for its hot
sprin. Panchganga Temple
Panchganga Temple is located at Mahabaleshwar near Pune in Maharashtra. It
is also known as Krishnabai temple and it is said to contain five streams
including the Krishna river.
One can see a "Krishnabai" or "Gomukh" (a cow head carved) in a stone in
this temple, which is supposed to be the source of five Deccan rivers:
Krishna, Koyna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri. Hence, this temple is known as
Panchganga Temple (or the temple of five rivers). It is said that Shivaji
and his mother Jijabai visited Mahabaleshwar to seek spiritual advice from
a learned Brahmin living there. Raja Singhandeo, the famous Yadav King of
Devgiri who flourished in the 13th century, first built this temple. Later
on Raja Chandarao Rao More of Jaoli repaired it at the end of the 16th
century. On the downfall of the Mores in 1635, it was improved and
enlarged by Raja Shivaji, the founder of Maratha Empire. Raja Sahu
(1670-1709) again repaired it and lastly Parshuram Angal, a wealthy banker
of Satara, rebuilt it in the 19th century. Pataleshwar Temple
Amidst modern high-rise structures and developments, at Jungli Maharaj
Road, housed in caves, one can see this ancient rock cut temple dating
back to 8th century. This temple is similar in style to that of temples
found in Ellora.
The temple has been carved out of a single boulder of awe-inspiring size,
which includes massive pillars. It houses a Shiva shrine, a 'Nandi' (bull)
and images of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana, Lakshmi or Laxmi, Ganesha under its
roof. More importantly, it's an active temple. In front of the excavation
is a circular Nandi Mandapam. Adjacent is the Jangli Maharaj temple,
dedicated to a Hindu ascetic who died here in 1818 Siddhivinayak Temple
The Siddhi Vinayak temple at Prabhadevi in Mumbai is a well visited one
attracting thousands all through the year.
The known history of the temple dates back to early nineteenth century.
This temple has been renovated thoroughly in the late 1900s in order to
accomodate the needs of the surging crowds of devotees that throng the
temple during festive occasions.
The sanctum here houses a small mandapam enshrining Siddhi Vinayak. The
inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the wooden doors to the
sanctum are carved with images of Ashta Vinayak.
Mahalaxmi Temple at Kolhapur
Mahalaxmi (Mahalakshmi) Temple located near Kolhapur is a famous spiritual
centre of Maharashtra. Over the years, members of several royal families
have sought the blessings of the goddess -- Mahalaxmi or Amba Bai. This
temple draws a large number of devotees from all over the country.
Mahalaxmi also is mentioned in many Puranas.
The Temple
In the 7th century AD, the Chalukya ruler, Karandev initiated the
construction of this temple and later on in the 9th century, the Shilahara
Yadavas made additions to the temple. The temple complex is exquisitely
carved and has artistically sculpted structures.
It also houses the temples of other deities such as Kashi Vishweshwar,
Kartikaswami, Sheshashayi, Siddhivinayak, Mahaswaraswati, Mahakali, Shree
Dutta and Shree Ram. The temple is built in "Hemandpanthi" style and has 5
tops. Attached to the original Mandir is a pendal called "Garud-Pendal". Babulnath Temple
Babulnath temple is situated at the end of Marine Drive and south of
Malabar Hill, in the very heart of Mumbai City . It is nearly 1,000 feet
above sea level, over looking the Arabian Sea. People visiting this temple
can feel peace and tranquillity and one can also get an illusion of being
on the Mount Kailash, the eternal abode of Lord Shiva.
It was built in 1780 and is one of the most spacious temples in the city.
In 1900, a tall spire was added to the original temple. A stone Lingam of
Shiva is worshipped at Babulnath. The main day for worship is Monday.
Every year millions of devotees visit this magnificent temple and are
undoubtedly proud of its rich and varied heritage.
According to the prevailing legend, about two centuries ago, the hilly
terrain where Lord Babulnath's ancient temple is situated belonged to one
"Pandurang". He was a rich goldsmith. His cattle were grazing around.
Being grazing land, there was nothing to be taken care of by Babul, the
caretaker of Pandurang's cattle stock.
A named cow Kapila stopped giving milk and on enquiry, Babul reported that
this cow reaches a point daily before coming home and puts out all her
milk. Babul could not explain the logic behind this, but had made
Pandurang inquisitive. The very next day, Panduranga saw the scene again
and he was overwhelmed when Kapila was repeating her usual act. He reached
that place and noticed a huge Shivalinga. It is the very place where the
temple has been built. Mahalaxmi Temple at Mumbai
The Mahalaxmi Temple located at the northern foot of the Malabar Hill, a
part now called Breach Candy in Mumbai , is a popular holy site. This is
Mumbai's oldest temple dedicated to Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and
Mahasaraswati. There are effigies of several Hindu gods here and many
devotees visit this temple every year.
It is said that in the 1890s, when a British engineer was constructing the
adjoining causeway, the sea always troubled the project, every time the
foundation was laid, the sea would rush in and destroy it. Then one night,
a labourer dreamt of Goddess Laxmi (Lakshmi) who ordered him to dig out an
idol from a spot under the causeway and build a shrine on it. This was
done with due alacrity, and the causeway was ultimately completed. Mumbadevi Temple
Mumbadevi Temple is located in Bhuleshwar, Mumbai . This temple is
dedicated to city's patron Goddess Mumbadevi. She is considered as
Mumbai's resident deity. The temple of Mumbadevi, once stood on the site
of the present Victoria Terminus in the central island which was called
Mumbai. The present name of the city is derived from the Goddess Mumbadevi.
According to a popular legend the structure of the temple is about six
centuries old and it is believed be the handiwork of Mumbaraka, a sadistic
giant who frequently plundered the city at the time. Terrorized by these
unwelcome visits, the locals pleaded with Lord Brahma, Creator of all
things to protect them. Brahma then "pulled out of his own body", an eight
armed goddess who vanquished the Mumbaraka.
Predictably brought to his knees, Mumbaraka implored Her Holiness to take
his name and built a temple in her honour. She still stands there, an
orange faced goddess on an altar strewn with marigolds: devotees believe
that those who seek her divine favour are never disappointed.
The Mumbadevi temple is six centuries old. The first Mumbadevi temple
built by Koli fishermen was situated at Bori Bunder, and it is believed
that it was destroyed around 1737. After the destruction a new temple was
erected at the same place at Bhuleshwar. Nageshwar Temple
Pune an important city of Maharashtra and it is also very important from
the point of view of travel. Nageshwar temple is considered as one of the
oldest temples of Pune and it has been there since the times of Sant
Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram. One can notice that the main shrine has the
typical Yadava structure with a stone roof. Several renovations and
additions have been made the temple over the years. It is believed that
there was once a reservoir near the temple, whose water could cure
leprosy. Trishundaya Ganpati Temple
Trishundya Ganapati temple is a temple located in Somwar Peth, Pune
dedicated to Lord Ganesh. It was built during reign of Peshwa. The temples
derived its name from the idol of Ganesh, which has three trunks and hence
the name 'Tri-Shundya' which means three trunks. The idol is of wood and
the temple made of stone has beautiful carvings on its exterior. It is the
only one of its kind in the entire country.
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