Kamnath Mahadev Temple is very popular and ancient Lord Shiva Mandir, located at the bank of Holy River Vatrak and near the confluence of five Rivers in village Radhu. Radhu is situated on the Kheda – Dholka highway in Kheda district of Gujarat and having around 20000 populations.
History and legend of Kamnath Mahadev - Radhu
Kamnath Mahadev temple was constructed in Vikram Samvat 1445, (Year - 1389) and Jyot (holy flame) was brought by Patel Jesangbhai Hirabhai who lived in Radhu, the great devotee of Lord Shiva.
Jesangbhai took the Food or Tea only after the Darshan of Lord Shiva. At that time, there was no Lord Shiva temple in Radhu so he passed the River Vatrak and went to village Punaj, around eight KM daily and worships the Lord Shiva. He followed this rule for long year, but in the year 1445, there was a heavy flood in River Vatrak, so he could not depart to Punaj for Shiva Darshan, continues for eight days.
He had not taken any food or tea for these many days and observed fast for eight days. Lord Shiva blessed with worship and told in dream that take a holy flame from Punaj Shiva temple and took in your village Radhu. Very next day he told about this to other devotees and decided to take holy flame from Punaj to Radhu. They all went to Punaj Shiva Temple and took Jyot from Punaj to Radhu and Jyot was not turn off even in heavy rain and wind. This was twelve day of Krishna paksh of holy month Shravan
So from this instance, big fair and spiritual events are planned in village Radhu on this day. Small temple had been constructed and established the holy flame in Vikram Samvat 1445. From that day, around 8-10 kgs pure ghee is used in flame and no need to purchase ghee from market. Devotee from various regions came to Kamnath Mahadev and offer pure ghee based on their belief. From the day of establishment of Lord Shiva Temple, amazing flow of pure ghee offered in temple. People of Radhu had rule to offer ghee in temple before sale.
Miracle of Lord Shiva in Kamnath Mahadev, Radhu
Thus flow of pure ghee is going on from local people and devotee across the nation. Today, there are around 800 earthen pots of pure ghee and 50 kgs average ghee in each pot in temple. So around there is 40000 kgs of ghee stored in Bhandar of temple and increase day by day. This ghee can be used only in flame and yagya arranged in Shravan month. Holy flame is turned on in temple from the day of arrive at Radhu. These pots are in open place but the miracle of Lord shiva is, any insects or ant cannot go inside the pot and also there is no bad smell from pot even after around six hundred and thirty years. There are three big Pure Ghee Bhandar (stores) in the temple and yet day by day flow of ghee is increased.
Special time to visit Kamnath Mahadev
The holy flame came to village on twelve day of Krishna paksh of holy shravan month, every person in village and nearby villages celebrates this day with great joy. Fair and Nagar Yatra of Lord Shiva is arranged same like Rathyatra in Radhu. Devotee enjoys various events, devotional songs and worship Lord Shiva. During the entire Shravan Month, Yagya is observed in temple on daily basis from 6 AM to 7 PM followed by immense Aarati of Lord Shiva. Another popular day is Maha Shivratri in this temple. Great celebration took place in Kamnath Mahadev same like othe big shiva temple and Laghu Rudra yagya is also observed. Devotee from different region can take participation in this yagya and gets blessing of Lord Shiva.
Various activities arrange by Kamnath Mahadev Trust
Kamnaht Mahadev trust manages many spiritual activities like Yagya, devotional song, spiritual events etc. Temple has started Annakshetra for devotee and tourist at free of cost with name Ravi Shankar Maharaj Bhojanalaya, the great social worker and freedom fighter of India. Shree Ravi Shankar Maharaj was born in village Radhu, who played immense role in Indian independence. Ghee of Kamnath Mahadev is used in flame of other temples of Radhu.
.Various Rituals at Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Radhu
Apart from fixed day Yagya on Mahashivratri and twelfth day of Shravan Vad, devotee can plan various rituals at Kamnath Mahadev Temple. Rudrabhishek, Laghu Rudra, Kal Sharp Yog, Angarak Dosh, Nav Grah Shanti etc can be arranged based on devotee’s wish and appropriate time. Devotee can visit and plan rituals with cooperation with Shashtrijee and Temple Trust.
