Mahabaleshwar Temple

Mahabaleshwar Temple

Mahabaleshwar Temple lies on the outskirts of the old Mahabaleshwar city and is close to Satara district, Maharashtra. This city is famous for its strawberry plantations. This ancient temple is a classic monument of the Maratha heritage. Another name of the temple is Mahabali. Shiva is the presiding deity here. It is an important pilgrimage spot in India. Devotees flock to the Mahabaleshwar Temple around the year to worship the deity and enjoy the tranquillity of the spot.

Legend of the Mahabaleshwar Temple

As the legend explains, there were two demon brothers, Mahabal and Atibal, creating problems for devas, sages, and people. They all prayed to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva to destroy them. Accepting their sincere prayers, Vishnu killed the demon Atibaleshwar, whereas Shiva could not kill Mahabal. He had a boon of death at his own will. Hence, the three deities prayed to Ma Mahamaya for help.

She mesmerized the demon Mahabal with her beauty and brought him before the trinities. Ma Mahamaya asked them to get a boon from the demon Mahabal. As she advised, they asked the demon for his death. Mahabal granted their boon but requested Vis hnu to own his brother's name as Atibaleshwar, Brahma to stay in the name of Koteshwar, and Shiva to keep the name Mahabaleshwar. Also, he requested the trinities to stay at Mahabaleshwar forever. They granted his wish. Thus, Mahabaleshwar City derived its name from the ancient Mahabaleshwar Temple.

The Architecture of the Mahabaleshwar Temple

The Mahabaleshwar Temple features the South Indian Hemadpanti architecture style. King Chanda Rao More built the temple in the 16th century. The temple was constructed using stones. The temple's Garbhagriha has a Shikhara (curvilinear tower). The Shikhara has intricate carvings of deities, celestial beings, and mythological scenes. A Kalash (pot) decorates the Shikhara.A five-foot wall guards the temple. It has inner and outer rooms. Devotees can worship a 500–year old, 6-foot Swayambhu Lingam made of black stone in the sanctum sanctorum. Only its tip is visible. It is in the Rudraksha shape known as Mahalingam. This is considered to be supreme among the twelve Jyotirlingas. In the Mahabaleshwar Temple, pilgrims can see a 300-year-old bed, Trishul (Trident), Damru, and Rudraksha.

The legend explains that the bed is crumpled in the morning, indicating the deity's presence at night. There is a square-shaped raised platform made of gold. Legends say that the Maratha ruler Shivaji donated the gold as charity. Its weight is believed to be equal to his mother, Jijabai's. In the temple, people can see carvings of Nandi (the divine vehicle of Shiva) and his bodyguard (Kalabhairava) General Peter Lodwick was the first European to visit the region. He described its beauty in the famous newspaper of those times, the 'Bombay Courier.' Upon his recommendation, Reverend Gordon Hall and Colonel Briggs visited here. It was later designated in 1829 as the Bombay Presidency's summer capital.

Festivals in Mahabaleshwar Temple

The temple celebrates Mahashivratri and Navratri grandly. Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Naga Panchami, etc., are other Hindu festivities celebrated at the Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at Mahabaleshwar Temple

It is believed that worshipping at the Mahabaleshwar Temple can invoke the blessings of Shiva. Devotees strongly believe that Shiva grants their sincere wishes and provides protection, strength, and guidance.