A quick note on famous temples in Maharashtra

Maharashtra has a rich historical and cultural background, starting from the dynasties of Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas to the Marathas and Peshwas. With such a diverse history, it is no surprise that this Indian state is often regarded as a religious hub dotted with temples dedicated to numerous deities. 

Khandoba, considered a manifestation of Shiva, is a famous god in Maharashtra. Besides Khandoba, people also worship Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Lord Rama, and more, with utmost devotion and fervour. The various places of worship and pilgrimage sites can be compiled into a long list of temples in Maharashtra. 

Deities worshipped in Maharashtra and their cultural significance 

Numerous Hindu gods and goddesses are worshipped in Maharashtra. Some deities are celebrated with grandeur once a year, while others are worshipped daily. One of the best things about Maharashtrian culture is that it has embodied the true meaning of secularism. For example, if you visit Thane or Bandra district, you will find churches, mosques and temples. 

In this section below, the major Hindu deities worshiped in Maharashtra have been listed. 

• Khandoba: Avatar of Lord Shiva
• Ganpati
• Vishnu and his incarnation
• Lord Shiva
• Vithoba
• Maruti

A list of some of the most famous temples in Maharashtra 

The Maharashtra temple list has ninety-three names distributed throughout the state. Some of the most famous temples from this list are: 

1. Amruteshwar temple: a temple of Lord Shiva in Ratanwadi
2. Balaji Mandir: Pashan, Pune
3. Siddhivinayak Temple: Mumbai
4. ISKCON temple: Juhu
5. Vaishno Devi Temple: East Malad
6. Shree Venkateswara Swamy temple: Navi Mumbai
7. Swaminarayan temple: Bhuleshwar
8. Shree Mahalaxmi temple: Cumballa Hills
9. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga: Nashik
10. Aundha Nagnath temple: Hingoli
11. Shirdi Sai Baba, Shirdi
12. Saptashrungi, Vani
13. Khandoba Temple, Jejuri
14. Vithoba Temple, Pandharpur
15. Ekvira Aai Mandir, Near Lonavala
16. Shani Temple, Shani Shingnapur

The 5 most famous temples in Maharashtra

Khandoba is a famous god in Maharashtra. Most temples are usually built for Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Sai Baba, etc. Out of all the temples in this state, 5 famous temples of Maharashtra have been described in the below section. 

Trimbakeshwar Temple

The Trimbakeshwar temple is situated in Nashik and is considered one of the 12 prominent jyotirlingas in the country. There is a small pond within its compound that people believe to be the source of the Godavari river. Therefore, it is very sacred, and pilgrims even dip in its holy waters. Right at the back are three famous hills of Maharashtra- Nilagiri, Brahmagiri and Katagiri. The entire temple is carved out of massive black stone, one of its unique features. Also, the jyotirlinga has three faces representing Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. It is also the site of Kumbh mela and the only jyotirlinga where Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma are also worshipped. 

Shirdi Sai Baba Temple 

Out of the 5 famous temples of Maharashtra, this is considered the epitome of devotion. Located at Shirdi, this temple is a huge complex of 200 sq.meters and known for its peaceful ambience and the Samadhi mandir. It has a huge hall, right in front of the main temple complex that can accommodate over 600 people. A humongous neem tree, also known as the Gurusthan, is said to be one of the most sacred places for Sai Baba devotees.  

Khandoba temple

Khandoba is the famous God of Maharashtra, and its temple in Jejuri is one of the most frequented spots in the state. It is located at the crown of a hillock, and one needs to climb 300 steps carved out of mountain rock. On the walls of this temple, inscriptions and drawings depict the victory of Khandoba over Malla and Mani – the two notorious demons.

The temple construction began in 1608AD and was completed in 1637AD. Several architectural additions like pillars, a lower temple and more were removed from the original temple structure. These reflect the Maratha culture while maintaining the originality of the temple itself. There is an ancient Portuguese bell where dry coconut and dry Turmeric are distributed.

Siddhi Vinayak temple

The Siddhi Vinayak temple is considered one of the richest temples in Mumbai, built around the early 19th century. Its beauty lies in its unique architecture that represents the stone carving skills of the artisans involved in its construction. It has a wooden door, with the figurine of Ashtavinayak engraved on the surface. The temple’s inner roof is coated with pure gold while the exterior is graced with changing color lights that create  a dramatic effect.

Shree Mahalaxmi temple 

Another great Maharashtrian temple is the Shree Mahalxmi temple. During 634 CE, it was Karndeva who built the wonderful idol of Mahalaxmi. Throughout the body, the idol is adorned with different types of jewels and gemstones that add to its appeal and visual charm. One can find the entire ShriYantra inscribed on one of the temple walls. Apart from the main idol, there is a stone lion right behind this structure and a five snake-headed crown. 

Conclusion 

Maharashtra is a land of temples, thanks to the myriad divine structures built throughout the state. Most of these temples are perched on hilltops and carved out of stone with inscriptions and carvings on the walls. While Khandoba is the most prominent deity worshipped in the state, there are numerous temples to other gods and goddesses too.