History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Social & Religious Activities, Interesting Facts, Best time to Visit and Travel Guide of Jejuri Khandoba Temple, Maharashtra, India
The Khandoba Temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the deity Khandoba (an avatar of Lord Shiva). The temple is located on a hill, in the town of Jejuri, in Pune district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the most famous religious places in Maharashtra which draws thousands of devotee and tourist. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Khandoba, mainly in the parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. He is a benefactor deity of the farming caste, the Brahmins, the hunters as well as the Dhangar community, who live in the hills and forests of that locality. The cult of Khandoba has a connection with the Jain as well as the Muslim communities. He is worshipped either as a representation of a warrior riding on a horse or bull or in the figure of a Linga. The most famous temple for the worship of Khandoba in Maharashtra is the Jejuri.
History says that two demons – Malla and Mani were disturbing the Earth and distressing the sages. The Sages asked for help from Shiva when Indra and Vishnu admitted their inability. Shiva took the form of Khandoba, rode on Nandi (the bull), and went for a fight with demons along with his army. His avatar is described to have a third eye with a semi-circular moon on the forehead, and the body covered with turmeric. After a long fight, Khandoba finally managed to kill the demons. Mani immolated his white horse to him as an act of regret and asked for a blessing. He asked for his presence in every temple of Khandoba and will be offered goat flesh by the humans. Shiva granted his request and transformed him into a devil. Malla asked Khandoba, what if he asked for the demolition of the world and human flesh? Khandoba got so angry that he immediately beheaded Malla and it fell at the stairs of the shrine, where it was compressed by the admirers’ feet.
Khandoba had two wives Banas Mhalsa, who is considered the Hindu Goddesses Ganga and Parvati. The brother-in-law of Khandoba, Hegadi Pradhan is considered a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. The horse offered by Mani is contemplated as Nandi while the devils are regarded as Madhu-Kaithaba respectively.
Another story says, that the two wives of Khandoba joined him in the battle. They were collecting the ichors of Mani as every drop was creating a new devil. In the end, the dog of Khandoba had eaten up all the blood.
The temple was built in 1608 AD. A Maratha leader Ragho Mambaji completed the central mandap and other parts in 1637 AD. The Holkar rulers built the outer rooms and other parts. Tukoji Holkar helped in completing the tank and the battlefield in 1770 AD.
The priests of the temple worship Khandoba with the leaves of Indian Bael, Turmeric, onion, and other vegetables. They also offer a sweet dish made of onion and brinjal. A vegetarian dish is offered to him as Naivedya. Although, his devotees consider him a non-vegetarian. Sometimes, the devotees also offer goat flesh. The ritual is done outside the temple as meat is not allowed inside. The temple celebrates A 6-day festival in the Hindu month of Margashirsha, as a tribute to Khandoba.
The festival starts on the first lunar day and ends on the sixth day. The myth is that Khandoba killed the demon on the sixth day. A yatra is arranged on the sixth day in Pember and continues till Amavasya.
Another festival is celebrated in Jejuri, known as Somvati Amavasya. On this day, the images of Khandoba and Mhalasa are carried from the temple to the Karha River in a palanquin. Here the images are douched, cleaned, and devoted. Pilgrims keep a fast for six days and break it on the seventh day. On this day, they attend a feast as a request of Khandoba.
Jejuri Khandoba Temple is very popular for its Bhandara festival, which draws more than five lakh devotees. Showers of haldi or turmeric popularly called ‘bhandara’ makes entire temple premise and steps yellow. The bhandara festival takes place almost three times each year which Known as ‘sonyachi Jejuri’ or golden Jejuri.
The daily darshan time is from 6.30 am to 12 noon.
The pooja and aarti are done from 12 pm to 12.30 pm.
The maha Prasad bhog is done from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm.
For more information, people can visit their website at www.khandobaandur.com or call - +91 95277 70420.
The interesting mythology behind the temple attracts many tourists every year. The temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples. Apart from Hindus, many Jain devotees also come to visit the temple every year.
How to Reach Khandoba Temple, Jejuri, Major Pilgrimage Center of Maharashtra, Khandoba Temple, near Pune, India
The temple is almost 50 km away from Pune and is well-connected to every part of the state. People can take government buses from Pune or a cab to reach there. The nearest railway station is the Jejuri railway station. Trains are also available from Mumbai and Pune. As Jejuri is major pilgrimage site of Maharashtra and located at just 50 km away from Pune, it is very well connected with all major cities of India and also all the major cities of world. You can easily get flights to reach Pune from any corner of world and then you can get private vehicle to reach Jejuri. Town has railway junctions from where you can get train to reach almost all major cities of India. Every year thousands of tourist and devotee across the India reaches here at Jejuri for the Darshan of Khandoba Temple. So public transport is also very much develop to facilitate them. Jejuri is located at just 50 km from Pune, 266 km from Nashik, 171 km from Matheran, 120 km from Lonavala, 217 km from Shirdi, 163 km from Bhimashankar, 294 km from Trambak etc.
