Famous Temples in India

KHANDOBA TEMPLE

Jejuri, Pune, Maharashtra, India

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God

Khandoba is the main deity of this temple, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The idol of Sri Khandoba enshrined inside the temple is simply beautiful. There are three weapons housed in Jejuri Temple, a sword, a damaru and a paral. They are very exquisite and also have historical importance attached to them.

Interesting Facts

  • Jatra, an annual fair that takes place in the month of November. On an average, approximately 40,000 people visit the temple to attend the festival.
  • Another important festival that is celebrated with pomp and show is Somvati Amavasya during which a palanquin procession is organized from the Gad-kot temple to the Karha river.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - March to May (39°C during day and 22°C during night)Average - May (35°C during the day and 25°C during night)Lowest - December to February (34°C during day and 16°C during night)Monsoon season - June to September

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
  • Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
Jejuri Bus Stand
2 KM 02115-253134
Jejuri Railway Station
3.7 KM 139
Pune International Airport
49.5 KM 020-26685599

Architecture

Khandoba Temple was constructed in Indo-Islamic style of architecture and has a Mandap. Inside the main sanctum of the temple, there is a huge statue of Lord Khandoba with a big 'Khanda' (literal meaning swords). The Khandoba temple in Jejuri is built on a hill and offers good views all around. One has to climb a series of almost 200 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum. There are various stone images of elephants on either sides of the main gateway of the temple. The entire flat plateau above the hill is surrounded by a stone pavement in the center, of which stands the Khandoba shrine. The whole courtyard is surrounded by arched aisles on sides, from which highly ornate balconies with cypress pillars and cusped arches project out. This enclosure has three gateways and the temple faces east. The outermost portion is an arched portico- consisting of a square mandapa and a garbhagriha. Four massive lamp columns stand in front of the main temple, and on the ground nearby next to a Nandi is a Tortoise, almost 7m in diameter and sheathed in brass.

There are two temples in Jejuri that are sacred to Lord Khandoba - one is Kadepathaara and Gad-kot temple. 

KADEPATHAARA TEMPLE - Kadepathaara, the older one amongst the two, looks ancient from its structure. The temple is situated at an elevation of 133 meters and is spread over an area of 11 acres. To reach the temple, devotees will have to climb steep stairs and go through several arches. The old village site, now deserted, was to the east of the hill on which the new temple stands. 

GAD-KOT TEMPLE - Gad-kot temple, the newly constructed temple, is comparatively easy to reach as compared to its counterpart, Kadepathaara Temple. This temple has about 450 steps, 18 Kamani (arches) and 350 Dipmalas (lamp-pillars). Although the temple appears small in size, but it has two divisions - Mandap and Gabhara. Inside the main sanctum of the temple, there is a huge statue of Lord Khandoba with a big 'Khanda' (literal meaning swords). In garbhagriha, there are two swayambhu lingams. If the sky is clear then from the temple, tourists can see the beautiful view of city and Dive Ghat.

Religious Significance

According to the legends, the story starts with Aurangzeb attacking the sanctuary amid one of his crusades when he conquered another fort named the Daulat Mangal Fort which is close to this spot. He saw the Jejuri fortress (which was enclosing the sanctuary) post conquering the Daulat Mangal fort. He wanted to conquer the Jejuri Fort too and therefore reached with his armed force to this fort. However, he found that the strong doors were shut. So he needed to break the walls of the fort in order to invade. He then requested to make a hole in the wall by putting an explosive precisely at the spot where the Savalaksha Bhunga lies now. At this time, there a large swarm of bees appeared from the hole in quick succession. These honey bees attacked the armed force of Aurangzeb with loud noise by covering every warrior’s body. So the soldiers informed this to Aurangzeb who was completely paralyzed. At this time, a Hindu soldier informed him about the power of Lord Khandoba who is ever watchful to protect his followers. He then recommended that by showing up before the Lord is the only way to resolve the problem. So, Aurangzeb made an offering of One Lakh and a quarter coins to God Khandoba. At the point when the offering was made, the honey bees vanished soon. So Aurangzeb did not know how it happened but rather understood that God was so intense that he had to bow down before Khandoba.

Naik Hari Makaji And Tatya Makaji Of Jejuri - Naik Hari Makaji and Naik Tatya Makaji were two Koli brothers and revolutionaries from Maharashtra. They revolted against British Hukumat. Naik Hari Makaji and Naik Tatya Makaji with Naik Rama Krishna of kalambi made an army of Ramoshis of Satara and revolted. In 1879 they raided in Poona fifteen times with ramoshi army. After that Hari Makaji and Tatya Makaji raided satara many time. In February 1879, Naik Hari Makaji attacked in Baramati portion of Bhimthadi. On the 8Th raid in Baramati, Naik Hari Makaji was attacked by British police but he escaped by fighting hand to hand with two British policemen and wounded them but two Ramoshis were captured. After that, at the beginning of March, Naik Hari Makaji again raised and revolted in Indapur and raided. But in middle of March, Hari was captured in Solapur. After capture of Naik Hari Makaji, His brother Naik Tatya Makaji led his revolution, Tatya Makaji continued till the end of the year. Naik Tatya Makaji raided the villages on the Purandar and Sinhagad ranges. On 17 October, Koli Naik Tatya Makaji and some of his followers killed a Ramoshi who was informer for British Major Wise. After that Tatya Makaji Naik brought to justice.

History

This temple was built in 9th and 10th centuries. The temple has been substantially enlarged by the famous queen Ahilyabai, widow of Malhar Rao Holkar’s son and her general, Tukoji.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 05:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Darshanam Details

Darshanam Price Estimated Time Entrance From
Special Dharshan 50.00
Special Dharshan for Senior Citizen 50.00 Entry from the 1st gate itself

Sevas

Bhupali and Arthi
All Days
05:00 - 06:30
1 Hr 30 Mins

Pooja

Pooja and Arthi
All Days
12:00 - 12:30
1 Hr 30 Mins
Shej Arthi
All Days
20:00 - 20:30
1 Hr 30 Mins

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

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User Reviews

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KHANDOBA TEMPLE

Jejuri, Pune, Maharashtra, India

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