Category: Religious

The Indian state of Maharashtra that contains Mumbai, the financial capital of India, also abounds in religious places. Some of them are linked to saints and spiritual leaders. Dehu and Alandi, both located in the Pune district, are noted for being the birthplaces of the Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar respectively.

Situated at the source of India’s longest river, Godavari, in the town of Trimbak, Trimbakeshwar is an ancient Hindu temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Trimbakeshwar is famous for the amazing feature of the Jyotirlinga found here. There are three celestial faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra. However, these have started eroding due to undue exposure to precipitation – perhaps a symbolization of the erosion of human values in the present age. The lingas are protected by a bejeweled crown that is studded with many precious stones and gems. The crown is displayed to the public every Monday between 4 and 5 pm. Trimbakeshwar is the birthplace of Lord Ganesha.

Tuljapur is a city in the Osmanabad District of Maharashtra. It is home to the famed Tulja Bhavani Temple, which is dedicated to the mighty Hindu Goddess Bhavani. The legendary Maratha leader Shivaji was a great worshipper of Ma Bhavani, and so, the city enjoyed much privilege during the reign of Shivaji. Bhavani is also the family deity of the Bhonsale family and as such, is worshipped through generations of Bhonsales. However, with Shivaji, it was something special – he used to visit the city always before battles with the Bijapur dynasty or the Mughals because he believed that her blessings were essential.

Lord Ganesha is the principal Hindu deity who protects His disciples. Lord Ganesha helps them regain prosperity, unity, learning, and achieve human qualities. Ashtavinayaka in Sanskrit denotes adoration of eight forms of Lord Ganesha. He is worshipped in eight different temples located in or around Pune in Maharashtra. Ashtravinayaka Yatra (like the famed Amarnath Yatra) is a pilgrimage. If you do this Yatra, then you will be paying your tributes to the Lord.

Situated 40 kilometers southeast of Solapur and fairly close to the Maharashtra-Karnataka state border, Akkalkot is a religious city. Akkalkot has become extremely popular for its association with Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj, who is considered by many as a reincarnation of Lord Dattatreya. This religious figure is believed to have lived for more than two decades at Akkalkot, primarily at the home of his choicest disciple Cholappa. You can see his Samadhi and shrine here even today. During the British Raj, Akkalkot was a princely State that was ruled by the Bhonsale dynasty.

Located at the southwest part of the Indian state of Maharashtra, Kolhapur is a fast growing city. Many Maharashtrians consider this as the ‘ancient capital of Maharashtra’. There are many things to see in the city and beyond it, but probably the most famous is the temple of Mahalakshmi. Thousands of pilgrims come here every year to pay their homage to the Goddess Mahalakshmi.

The Pune district of Maharashtra is famous for having several religious places. There is Dehu and Alandi, both of which are very close to the city of Pune. They are the birthplaces of Saints Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar respectively. Just 50 kilometers away from Pune, there is yet another religious place that is known as Jejuri. Apart from the religious significance, there is a touch of history to this place as well.

Located within the Ghat region of Sahyadri Mountains in Maharashtra, the Bhimashankar temple is a Jyotirlinga shrine, much revered by devotees coming from all over the state. There are people who come to the temple from other states too. It is also the source of the river Bhim that flows southeast, ultimately merging with the mighty Krishna River near Raichur. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and thus, it has tremendous religious importance among Hindus.

A small village located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, 100 kilometers away from Nasik is a hustling and bustling pilgrimage center in India. Thousands throng everyday to pay their respect to Sathya Sai Baba of Shirdi. Shirdi was the home of Sai Baba, the great guru of the 20th century. The immortal saint lived in Shirdi for more than 50 years of his life, thus turning the small village into a big pilgrimage site for his disciples who come from all corners of this universe.