Temples of Maharashtra and Goa (1)

Temples of Maharashtra and Goa

The State of Maharashtra has surprisingly ancient journey communities just as tourist spots in the development of Indian Temple engineering. Two of the fabulous antiquated stone slice sanctuaries of India devoted to Shiva – The Elephanta Cave Temple and the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora are in Maharashtra. Likewise in this state are three of the twelve Jyotirlinga sanctuaries, two of the Shakti Peethas, the eight Ashta Vinayak places of worship and the loved Vitthala sanctuary at Pandharpur – celebrated by the holy people of Maharashtra.

Elephanta Caves Mumbai : The ancient rock cut shrine in the Elephanta island off the coast of Bombay houses an imposing image of Trimurthi Shiva.

Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora:This ancient monolithic rock cut monument built in the Dravidian idiom is a masterpiece of creation.

Tryambakeshwar – The origin of the river Godavari is intimately linked with this Jyotirlinga shrine near Nasik.

Himashankar – Jyotirlinga Shrine is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrine is a temple located in the vicinity of Ellora.

Saptakotishwar shrine in Goa: This is an ancient Shiva temple located in New – Picholim, near Panaji.

Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur: This revered pilgrimage center referred to as Karavira Kshetra enshrines Mahalakshmi.

Kanheri Caves near Mumbai: Read a traveller’s account of his experiences on his way to Kanheri from Mumbai.

Ashta Vinayak shrines: The State of Maharashtra holds Ganapati in great reverence. 8 of these shrines around Pune are collectively referred to as the Ashta Vinayak temples.

Bhavani Temple at Tuljapur: Bhavani the tutelary deity of the great Maratha ruler Shivaji is enshrined at Tuljapur and is visited by thousands throughout the year.

Moreshwar in Moregaon, is one of the most popular of the Ashta Vinayaka shrines in Maharashtra depicting Ganapati on a peacock mount.

Anjangaon in Maharashtra enshrines Mahaganapati depicting the legend of Shiva invoking Ganesha during his battle with the demons.

Mahad in Maharashtra enshrines Varadvinayak associated with the legend of Rukmangada, Indra and the Bhadravana forest.

Girijaatmaja Vinayak at Lenyadri hills in Maharashtra is a representation of Ganesha in the form of an infant.

Ozar in Maharashtra depicts Ganapati as Vigneshwar who quelled the arrogance of the demon Vignaasuran.

Ballal Vinayak at Pali  in Maharashtra is associated with the legend of a young lad Ballal’s devotion to Ganapati.

Vitthala at Pandharpur: This ancient pilgrimage center enshrining Vithoba  has been associated with the revered saints of Maharashtra.

Siddhi Vinayak in Siddhatek in Maharashtra commemorates the legend of Vishnu invoking Ganesha, during his battle with the demons.

Bhimashankar, Maharashtra Located in Pune, this one sits close to the starting point of River Bhima, and is built in Nagara architecture style. The temple has historical importance, and there is a legend attached to it as well. It is also jyotirlinga site, and attracts numerous devotees from all over the country.