Jejuri Khandoba Temple - A Sword Competition Is Held Every Year In This Temple At Dussera Occasion

KHANDOBA TEMPLE

AT

PUNE

Khandoba Temple is located in the city of Jejuri in Pune. It is the prime temple among the Khandoba (Martanda Bhairava) Temples across Maharashtra. In fact, there are two shrines on top of a hill in Jejuri: one is Kadepathar and another is Gad-kot Temple.

Jejuri Khandoba Temple is dedicated to Khandoba, who is also known as Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand in the region. Khandoba is the important god worshipped by Dhangar, the oldest tribes in Maharashtra. It is believed that Khandoba is a god of Sakamabhakti, the god who fulfills all the desires of his devotees. Jejuri is popular for its old Deep Mala.

As said earlier, there are many versions of the legends relating to Martanda Bhairava. One or two myths are very famous and are associated with the creation of this temple. One of the major sources is the literary work, Malhari Mahatmya. Lord Khandoba is also known as Malhari (the warrior king). According to this literary work, the battle between Khandoba and the demons called Malla and Mani is the prime story behind the birth of Lord Martanda Bhairava.

The tale says that, the demon-brothers named Malla and Mani were creating a havoc in the world as they had got a boon from Lord Brahma. All Gods got annoyed by the menace they were creating on earth but were not able to destroy them. So, they requested Lord Shiva to destroy these demons. 

It is then Khandoba (a form of Shiva) was born. Finally, Malla and Mani were killed in the battle; while dying Mani asked for forgiveness by offering his white horse to Khandoba and gains a boon to be in every shrine of Martanda Bhairava. In fact, the name Malhari or Mallari comes from the words 'Malla' and 'ari' which means the destroyer of Malla or the enemy of Malla.

The Khandoba temple in Jejuri is built on a hill and offers good views all around. One has to climb a series of almost 200 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum. There are various stone images of elephants on either sides of the main gateway of the temple. 

The entire flat plateau above the hill is surrounded by a stone pavement in the center, of which stands the Khandoba shrine. The whole courtyard is surrounded by arched aisles on sides, from which highly ornate balconies with cypress pillars and cusped arches project out. This enclosure has three gateways and the temple faces east. The outermost portion is an arched portico- consisting of a square mandapa and a garbhagriha. 

The idol of Sri Khandoba enshrined inside the temple is simply beautiful. There are three weapons housed in Jejuri Temple, a sword, a damaru and a paral. They are very exquisite and also have historical importance attached to them. A Sword Competition is held every year at the temple, on the occasion of Dussera. The one, who lifts the sword of the temple high up, for the maximum time, is declared as the winner. It attracts people from all over the state on the occasion of Bandara festival.

By Air

Pune Airport is the nearest airport to the town of Jejuri.

By Train

Jejuri Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Khandoba Temple. You can also board trains from places like Pune and Mumbai to reach Jejuri

By Bus

Jejuri is around 50km from Pune. It is well-connected to other parts of the state. Visitors can take government run buses from Pune or hire private cabs to reach Jejuri. 

Ambernath Shiv Temple - It Is An Ancient Temple Nearly Mumbai

AMBERNATH SHIV TEMPLE

AT

THANE

Ambreshwar Temple, the temple of Lord Shiva, located on the bank of Vadavan River, is very near to Ambernath Railway Station.

Situated in the hollow of a hill, the temple dating back from 1000 AD is wonderfully compact. To the south of the temple over the hillock most commanding view of the giant forms of Tavali and Malanggad or Bava Balang is obtained.

This temple is a fine example of the Vesara style that is essentially a tasteful blend of two schools of architecture, the Dravidian style and the Nagara Style, in simple words, a mix of the north Indian and south Indian styles of temple making. 

The versions of the Vesara style at Ambernath is of interlocking black stone in the Hemadpanti style named after legendary prime minister Hemadpanti who was a great patron of temple architecture during Devgiri Kings regimes.

The bold features are prominent in the heavily decorated outside wall and the stepped pyramid that forms the tower. The whole temple is executed in coarse brownish stone that is typical of this region. The plan of the temple is corrugated or fluted along its edges. 

The idea is to have a larger wall surface to accommodate a plethora of sculptures and other decorations that is the theme of this style. Had it been a straight outer wall only less that half of the sculpture could be accommodated on along the outer surface of the wall. 

The sculptures of Hindu mythology, predominantly Shiva theme, form a chain around the temple at the eye level. There are fluted molding above and below the sculptures. The tower is in the classic Nagara style. One can find the image of dancing Shiva on the tower.

There are three porches that give access to the central hall of the temple through a vestibule. The priests sit in this portion of the temple. This portion is intricately carved. The roof is supported by an array of pillars, which itself is a piece of art. Never forget to look up at the ceiling with all the details carved in stone.

 A Nandi (Bull) image is located at the center of the main porch, which is in the west. To reach the inner sanctum, one has to climb down 20 steps to go down in the main room called Garbhagriha (interior of the sanctum Sanctorum). 

There is one “Swayambhu” (self-manifested) Shiv Ling located at the center in this underground Sanctorum which is open to the sky. A big fun-fair starts two days prior to Mahashivratri and continues for a day after Mahashivratri to get blessings from the supreme god Shiva.

By Air

Mumbai airport is nearest airport to reach Ambarnath. From Mumbai airport private cabs are available to reach here or tourist can opt for local trains to reach Amabarnath.

By Train

Ambarnath is a central railway station and connected by local trains from Mumbai, Dadar and Thane. Tourists from outside Mumbai or Maharashtra can reach Mumbai or Thane by express trains and reach Ambarnath by local trains. The Shiv Mandir is located just 2 minutes away from the Ambarnath station.

By Bus

Ambernath have good connectivity by road. Many state transport buses are available to reach Ambarnath from Kalyan, Thane, Badlapur and Karjat. Thane is major city to reach Shiv Mandir Ambarnath. From thane, Badlapur or Karjat tourists can reach Ambarnath by bus, auto or private vehicles.