- Special Features
Foundation Year700-800 Years oldSthala TreeTheerthamRathamArchitectureAbout 1.5 km from Jejuri village. The Vehicle can reach Vizhala by road. Kadepathar is the origin of Khandoba's incarnation. Kadepathar is about 400 feet above Jejuri village. In this area, in the old days, there was a power outage due to lightning. Hence this area is called Vizhala. There is an idol of Lord Shiva at the foot of the hill and there are about 750 steps on the road which starts from the adjoining arch. In the old days, it was not a footpath, it used to be climbed by a footpath in the mountains. There's road from Jejurigada to Kadepathari. It can be reached by the road behind the Jejuri fort. On the west side of the road, after passing a few steps, is a horse-drawn carriage. On the east side of the road, in a west-facing hill, is Banubai's place. Banai is Khandoba's second wife.Other Speciality
- Sthala Puran
The Malhari Mahatmya gives an account of the two wives of Khandoba (Shiva) , Mhalsa and Banai. Mhalsa is believed to be a combined avatara of Mohini and Parvati. Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich merchant in Newase called Timshet. On the dinine orders of Khandoba in a dream to Timshet, she was married to Khandoba on Pausha Pournima(the full moon day of Hindu calender month of Paush) in Pali (Pembar). Two shivlingas appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Paush Pournima.
Banai is believed to the daughter of Indra, the king of the gods. Banai was found by Dhangar shepherd, when she was abandoned on earth by an angry Indra. When Banai grew up, it was predicted that she would get her match at Jejuri. There, she felt in love with God Khandoba. Khandoba also felt in her love. Khandoba accepted a self-exile for 12 years by intentionally losing a game of chess (Saripat) to his wife Mhalsa. He took disguise of shepherd and started serving Banai's father. One day, Khandoba killed all the sheep and goats of Banai' father and promised to make them alive again if he was married to Banai. The reluctant Banai was married to Khandoba, the shepherd in disguise at Naldurg. Khandoba revealed his real form to Banai on their way back to Jejuri.
On reaching Jejuri, Khandoba was greeted by Mhalsa's fury and her strong protest of his second marriage. To avoid the quarrels of his wives, Khandoba gave the upper half of the hill to Mhalsa and the lower half to Banai. The idol of Mhalsa is placed with Khandoba in the main shrine at top of the hill at Jejuri. A separate shrine to Banai is situated halfway down the hill.
- Architecture
We enter the sanctorum through the tent door. In the sanctorum, Khandoba and Mhalsa are in a rectangular yoni . Behind them are images of metal snakes, dogs, etc. Behind this image are the festival idols of Khandoba Mhalsa. To the north of this idol is a marble Ganesha image. On the south side is the newly installed Martand image. At the back is a quadrangular stone image of Martand Bhairava, about 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, sitting in the temple. On her seat are carved the heads of Mani and Malla. Martanda has vertical images of his wife on both sides. This is the original place of incarnation of Khandoba. There is such a belief. This temple is considered to be very ancient.
- Alankar of Deity
Lord Khandoba carries Trishul and a Sword in his hands.
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and PrayersOfferings to DeityStotras and Mantras
Devotees chant " Yelkot Yelkot, Jay Malhar. Sadanandacha Yelkot".
- FestivalsThere are twenty programs that take place every year at Jejuri and all of them have their own cultural influence governed by the day that is present. There are festivals like Chaitra purnima, Ganpuja, Guru Purnima, Somwati amwasya, Shrawan pornima, Ghatasthapana, Dussehra, Champa Shashti, Paush Purnima, Mahashivratri etc.Somavati festival is celebrated on the ‘Parvani Snan Palkhi Sohla’. Thousands of Devotees are present on this festival.
- Sodasha Upcharas
- PrasadhasTurmeric and dry coconut
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
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