The auspicious month of Shravan ended on August 13. with the monsoon on pause mode and festivals lined up over the next few months, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri and Diwali, Soma Das has lined up the ultimate guide of religious getaways across Maharashtra
The auspicious month of Shravan ended on August 13. with the monsoon on pause mode and festivals lined up over the next few months, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri and Diwali, Soma Das has lined up the ultimate guide of religious getaways across Maharashtra
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Where the holy trinity meet
Tryambakeshwar at Nashik
Situated on the banks of the Godavari River in Nashik is the Tryambakeshwar Shiva temple. One of the 12 sacred Shiva shrines or Jyotirlingas, its Jyotirlinga has three faces believed to represent the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. They are covered with a golden mask and a crown encrusted with jewels, believed to be from the era of the Pandavas, which is placed over the mask. Equally breathtaking are the sculptures and architecture of its black stone temple, which is located on the foothills of the Brahmagiri mountain range. A nearby attraction (7 km away) is the Anjaneri mountain, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.
Legend: Due to Indra's malevolent plans, sage Gautama was accused of killing a cow, which was considered a major sin. He prayed and did penance to Lord Shiva at Brahmagiri and the deity then released the Ganges. He was purified of all sins post a bath in its waters.
Best time to visit: November to March
How to reach: Take a train to Nashik Road station. From there, you can take a bus or rickshaw to the temple.
The golden city
Khandoba temple at Jejuri
Lord Khandoba is a popular regional deity worshipped as an avatar of Lord Shiva. He is considered the patron deity of castes whose occupations involve war, farming, hunting and animal husbandry. He is represented by a Lingam and in images he is seen riding a bull or a horse. Considered a secular deity, his followers include Muslim devotees and people from various castes. The folk deity is considered an amalgamation of Lord Shiva, sun god Surya and Lord Kartik as he shares similar attributes. The lord is believed to be covered in turmeric and is hence showered with turmeric (representing gold which Khandoba bestows) during processions. He is believed to have several wives from various communities and is considered a fertility god.
Legend: The demon brothers, Malla and Mani, were invincible and corrupt. When they started harassing sages, these sages approached Shiva for help. Lord Shiva appeared as Martanda Bhairava or Khandoba atop the Nandi bull and vanquished the demons.
Time to visit: During Somvati Amavasya (January 23, 2012), a palakhi or palanquin with Khandoba and his wife Mhalsa's images are carried in procession from Gadkot temple to Karha river for a ritual bathing. Also, during Margashirsha (in December), there is a six-day festival to celebrate the battle.
How to reach: Board the Koyna Express or the Sahyadri Express to visit Jejuri.
The lord stands on a brick, forever
Vitthal temple at Pandharpur
Vithoba is an incarnation of Lord Krishna and his temple is at Pandharpur. He is also the patron saint of saint poets from the Bhakti movement, such as Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram, who composed abhangas expressing their love for him. Varkari refers to a pilgrim, as Vari means pilgrimage.
Legend: It is believed that his devotee Pundalik brought the deity to Pandharpur. Pundalik was devoted to his parents and moved by his devotion, Lord Vishnu decided to pay him a visit. But since he was busy looking after his parents, he couldn't attend to the Lord standing at his door. Instead Pundalik threw a brick for Lord Vishnu to stand on. Being pleased with his devotion, the Lord granted him a boon and Pundalik requested him to stay back. Thus Vishnu stayed back in the form of Vithoba or Vitthal (Vit or brick and thal or standing at one place).
Best time to visit: Vithoba is worshipped on Ekadashis or eleventh day of the lunar month and during Ashadhi Ekadashi (July) when Varkaris walk up to Pandharpur.
How to reach: Hop on one of the State transport buses or trains including the Mumbai Mail, Siddheshwari Express or Chennai Mail to Solapur. Hire a taxi to reach Pandharpur.
Gods and poets walked here
Ramtek Temple at Nagpur
This beautiful temple town, set upon a hill, is sometimes referred to as Ramgiri. It's a mix of architectural stylesu00a0-- ranging from Hindu temple style with shades of Mughal and Deccani motifs, designs and domes.
Ramtek is a typical temple town with its share of colour, revelry and sanctity, all wrapped into a heady, divine experience.
Legend: The historic temple was built during the Wakataka period and is revered as the place where Rama rested while he was in exile with Sita and Lakshman. Ramtek is also famously attached to the poet Kalidas, who is believed to have composed the epic poem, Meghdootam while he stayed here. Ramtek finds mention in several documents written by Kalidas. Another local legend reveals that sage Agastya, supposedly, the first Aryan to cross the Vindhyas might have also taken refuge here to meditate. He called upon Rama to get rid of asuras who didn't allow him to proceed with his mediation. Rama killed them and brought peace to the
holy man.
Best Time to visit: November to February; if you wish to catch a glimpse of the religious fervour at its peak, visit during Ramnavami.
How to reach: Board any Nagpur-bound train. It's 57 km from the city. Hail a taxi or tourist bus to take you tou00a0 this temple town. Being a steady, strenuous climb, request your driver to reach you all the way to the top,
if you're not the adventurous kind.
Stay true to the elements
Rameshwar temple at Revdanda
This ancient temple of Lord Shiva is located in the picturesque Chaul region of the coastal town of Revdanda in the Konkan. The region should be on the hot spot of every pilgrim as it has 365 temples (one for each day of the year) of which Rameshwar is one of the oldest.
Legend: It is renowned for its Peshwa style architecture and has three kunds or water tanks: Parjanya Kund, Agni Kund, and Vayu Kund. They are symbolic of soil, water and fire. There is a pokhran or pond on its front side, which is full throughout the year. There are no records of the exact date when it was constructed. Its significant features include a prayer hall, sanctum sanctorum and a 7.62 m dome.
Best time to visit: On Mondays, and during Mahashivratri (February). There are temple festivals held throughout the year too.u00a0
How to reach: Drive via Panvel to Pen and Alibag to Revdanda or take a catamaran from the Gateway of India to Mandwa. From there head to Alibag and Revdanda. State transport buses will drop you to Revdanda or Murud.
Other temples at a glance
Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur
The Mahalakshmi temple is one of the Shakti Peeth or shrines of Goddess Shakti where you can attain
salvation and have your wishes come true.
Grishneshwar temple near Aurangabad
The Grishneshwar temple is located 11 km from Aurangabad near the Ellora caves and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Tulja Bhavani temple at Osmanabad
The Tulja Bhavani temple is located in Osmanabad and is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths.
It is believed that Goddess Shakti's face fell here. Shivaji Maharaj's sword is believed to have been bestowed by the goddess.
Saptashringi temple at Nashik
The Saptashringi temple is 60 km from Nashik and the goddess is believed to live within the seven mountain peaks. The goddess is self-manifested (swayambhu) on the mountainous surface.
Panchganga Temple at Mahabaleshwar
The hill station houses the Panchganga temple, which is said to contain five rivers, including Krishna, Koyna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri.
Obstacles in your way? Visit these
Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple
This Ganesh temple is located close to Pune's Shaniwar Wada fort. It gets its name from Dagadusheth Halwai, who founded the temple in 1893, when he became rich.
Siddhivinayak Mahaganpati temple at Titwala
This temple at Titwala is considered a fulfiller of wishes and pilgrims flock during Angarika Chaturthi. It is on the banks of the Kalu River. Worshipping this idol helps people get married, solves marital disputes and aids in conception. Beside it is an ancient temple of Vitthal where an iron rod protrudes from the sanctum sanctorum.
Devotees claim that Bhajans can be heard from the tube.
Siddhatek at Ahmednagar
Siddhatek is in Ahmednagar district, on the banks of the Bhima River. The temple has an idol of Siddhi Vinayaka, the right-tusked incarnation of Ganesha who removes obstacles. The temple is believed to have been built on the spot where Lord Vishnu defeated asuras, Madhu and Kaitabh, with the blessings of Ganesha.
Ballaleshwar Vinayaka Temple
The Ballaleshwar Vinayak temple is 110 km from Pune and one of the Astha Vinayak temples of Ganapati. The temple is named after his devotee named Ballal of Pali. The temple was built by Nana Phadnavis in 1770.
Trishund Ganesha at Pune
Located near Somwar Peth in Pune is the Trishund Ganesh temple. The idol has three heads, six hands and rides a peacock. It was built in 1754 by Bhimgirji Gosavi and is renowned for its architecture.
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