Mahabaleshwar Temple — Attraction in Maharashtra

History of Mahabaleshwar Temple

The recorded history of Mahabaleshwar dates back to 1215 CE. It was then the Yadava King Singham of Devagiri had visited the area and built the temple, which we know as the Panchganga Temple today. He had built a small tank at the source of River Krishna and a temple around it, which is still a part of the Mahabaleshwar Temple.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple is around 800 years old, while the Swayambhu Shiva Linga presiding in the inner complex is thousands of years old. The reference of the mythological story behind the appearance of the Shiva Linga can be traced to the first and second chapters of the Sahyadri Section of the Skanda Purana.

The story is timed around the creation of the world when during the Padma Kalp, Lord Brahma was meditating in the forests of Sahyadri for the creation of human beings. Two demon brothers named Atibal and Mahabal were troubling the sages and other beings in the region. They are believed to have appeared from a Shiva Linga that Ravana tried taking to Lanka with him.

Their wrongdoing had reached maximum extent, and Lord Vishnu had to fight them to protect the beings of the region. But he was able to kill only Atibal, as Mahabal was blessed that he couldn’t be killed by anyone without his own will.

Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Aadimaya to help them get rid of Mahabal. Goddess Aadimaya mesmerized Mahabal with her beauty and asked him to surrender to the Gods. He agreed to lay down his life with a condition that Lord Shiva will reside with him forever in this region.

Lord Shiva appeared as a Shiva Linga in the shape of a Rudraksha to stay with him, and the entire region was named ‘Mahabaleshwar’ to honor Mahabal. The Mahabaleshwar temple houses a bed, Trishul, Damru, and Rudraksha for this very reason. According to folklore, the temple is visited by Lord Shiva every night as the bed is found crumpled every morning.

Mahabaleshwar Temple was built much later in the 16th century by Chanda Rao of the More dynasty. The inner part where the Swayambhu Linga presides is believed to be much older compared to the rest of the...

The Mahabaleshwar Temple, located in Old Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, is an ancient and revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the region, known for its rich history, spiritual importance, and serene surroundings.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple is not just a place of worship but also a historical and cultural treasure, reflecting India's spiritual heritage amidst the scenic beauty of the Western Ghats.

Historical Significance The temple is believed to date back to the 6th century CE, built during the rule of the Chalukya dynasty. The name "Mahabaleshwar" is derived from "Mahabali Ishwar," meaning the "Great Lord" (a reference to Lord Shiva). It is one of the Panch Tirthas (five holy sites) of Mahabaleshwar, along with Krishna Bai Temple, Venna Lake, and other sacred spots.

Key Features of the Mahabaleshwar Temple Sacred Linga:

The temple houses a self-manifested Shiva Linga made of black stone, known as the "Atma-Linga" or "Mahalingam". This lingam is considered extremely powerful and sacred.

Architecture: Built in South Indian Hemadpanti style, the temple features intricate stone carvings and a tranquil ambiance. The sanctum (Garbhagriha) houses the lingam, and the outer structure is simple yet elegant.

Mythological Importance: Legend has it that the temple's lingam represents the divine strength of Lord Shiva and holds immense spiritual power. Devotees believe that visiting this temple can absolve one of sins and bring blessings.

Panch Ganga Temple: Located nearby, this temple marks the origin of five rivers: Krishna, Koyna, Venna, Savitri, and Gayatri, making it a spiritually significant spot.

Visiting Mahabaleshwar Temple Location: The temple is in Old Mahabaleshwar, around 6 km from the main Mahabaleshwar town.

Best Time to Visit: October to June for pleasant weather. Mahashivratri is a major festival celebrated here with grandeur.

Nearby Attractions: Krishna Bai Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Krishna, located close to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Arthur’s Seat, Venna Lake, and...

Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in India's forested Western Ghats range, south of Mumbai. It features several elevated viewing points with average elevation of 1353 meters. There is an ancient Shiva Temple in Old Mahabaleshwar which is 4500 years old. The Shankar Temple is a very significant spiritual spot in Mahabaleshwar and people flock to visit the swayambhu Shiva Linga, very pious, especially to the Hindus. The Shankar Temple is also popularly known as the Trigunatmaka- trio of the deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. Located near this temple is Panchganga temple where five regular (Koyna, Krishna, Venna, Savitri, and Gayatri) plus two (Saraswati flows after 12 yrs, Bhagirathi after 60 yrs) rivers said to meet. The water mixes and flows through a gaumukh. People fill and carry holy water with them. You can experience beautiful climate, scenic beauties, sunset points and breathtaking ghat roads along with many other activities which are there to do at this place like boat ride, horse ride, go-kart, paragliding and much more. Also there is centuries-old Pratapgad Fort, perched atop a mountain spur. The weather is just right, and one can head outdoors without worrying about the hot sun. Winter is the best season to visit this place. The Mahabaleshwar strawberry is a seasonal fruit with the usual season lasting between October–November and April–May. Do visit the Mapro garden and if possible there industrial visit in there campus. I loved my visit to this place. You can book the hotels there for 2-3 days so that you get time to explore the place and enjoy the beauty it...