Shri Renuka Mata Temple, Mahurgad — Attraction in Maharashtra

The temple of Goddess Renuka Devi is situated in Mahurgad in Maharashtra.Mahur is the abode of the goddess Renuka, mother of Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The place is in Kinwat about 130 km away from Nanded. It is believed that the temple has been constructed by a Yadava king of Devgiri about eight or nine hundred years ago. The temple of Renukadevi is located on a hill top. There are carved caves in the hills around Mahur. Mahur -A pilgrim Centre of great significance. Renuka Devi Temple is considered to be one of the Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra. The temple of Goddess Renuka Devi is situated on a hillock abounding in natural beauty at a distance of about 2.415 km. from the village of Mahur.On the day of Dasara every year a very big fair is held in honour of Renukadevi.

Legend of renuka Devi temple - Renuka was the daughter of the king Renu of Kubaj country and the wife of the sage Jamadagni. When the king Sahastrarjuna paid a visit to Jamadagni in his abode, he was taken by surprise by the hospitality of the sage. When asked about the same, the sage told him that it is all because of the Kamadhenu, i.e., cow that fulfils the desires of the owner given to him by Indra, the king of the Gods.

Thinking that if the Kamadhenu was in his possession he would be able to maintain his vast army easily, the king Sahastrarjuna tried to seize the Kamadhenu from the sage by farce when his request to hand over the Kamadhenu to him was turned down by the sage. In the scuffle that ensued the sage died and his wife Renuka was injured due to 21 wounds she had received at the hands of the king. At this juncture many soldiers appeared on the scene from the body of the Kamadhenu by divine magic and farced the king to retreat.

On coming to know of the above incident Parasuram, the son of Jamadagni who rushed there vowed to defeat and punish the king 21 times. His mother asked him to cremate his father. He carried his father and mother to Mahur and cremated his father there. His mother became a sati.

The religious rites were conducted on this occasion by the God Sri Dattatreya himself. However, after everything was over Parasuram was stricken by grief and at this time a voice from the heavens told him that his mother would came out from the earth but he should not look behind. Being eager to see his mother, Parasuram just saw behind far a fraction of a second to find the mother's face aver the earth. The upper facet is the present upper facet of the Renukadevi.

Renukadevi is adorned with various gold ornaments such as the golden flowers to be used as earrings, gold garlands (putal mal candrahar, jaymal, etc.), nose-ring...

Shri Renuka Mata Mandir, located in Mahurgad in the Nanded district of Maharashtra, is one of the most revered temples dedicated to Goddess Renuka, the mother of the sage Parashurama. The temple is part of a trio of significant temples in Mahurgad, which also includes the Dattatreya Temple and the Anusaya Temple, making it a prominent pilgrimage site.

The Shri Renuka Mata Mandir is situated on a hill, approximately 800 meters above sea level, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The temple's architecture is a blend of traditional and regional styles, characterized by its simple yet elegant structure. The main sanctum houses the idol of Renuka Mata, which is richly adorned with ornaments and draped in vibrant sarees. The deity is depicted in a seated posture, symbolizing her motherly aspect and divine grace.

The historical significance of the Shri Renuka Mata Mandir is deeply intertwined with Hindu mythology and the story of Renuka and her son Parashurama, one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. According to legend, Renuka Mata's extraordinary powers and devotion led to her veneration as a goddess. The temple's location in Mahurgad, believed to be the birthplace of Parashurama, adds to its mythological importance. It is said that the sage performed penance here, and the place became sacred due to his mother’s presence and blessings.

Festivals and rituals at the Shri Renuka Mata Mandir are grand celebrations that attract a large number of devotees. The most significant festival is Navratri, during which the temple is beautifully decorated, and special rituals are performed daily. Devotees participate in aartis, bhajans, and poojas, seeking blessings from the goddess. Another important event is Renuka Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Renuka Mata, celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. The temple premises become vibrant with cultural performances, processions, and religious discourses, creating a festive atmosphere.

Accessibility to Shri Renuka Mata Mandir is relatively convenient, with the nearest major town being Nanded, located about 130 kilometers away. Nanded is well-connected by road, rail, and air, making it accessible for pilgrims and tourists. From Nanded, visitors can hire taxis or take buses to reach Mahurgad. The journey involves a climb up the hill, which can be undertaken either on foot or via a motorable road that leads closer to the temple. The climb is spiritually enriching, with scenic views and a tranquil environment enhancing the...

Sacred place Renuka mata (jagdamba devi) Mahur is amongst the four places of pilgrimage having the abodes of the three and a half goddesses that are of major significance in the state of Maharashtra. The other three are Kolhapur, Tuljapur, and Saptashrungi and Mahur is half, because it is only the head of the goddess that is visible. Mahur is the abode of the goddess Renuka, mother of Parshuram, an incarnation of Vishnu. The place is in Kinwat about 130 km away from Nanded.

It is believed that the temple has been constructed by a Yadava king of Devgiri about eight or nine hundred years ago. The temple of Renukadevi is located on a hill top. There are carved caves in the hills around Mahur.

Mahur -A pilgrim Centre of great significance. It is considered to be one of the Shaktipith of Maharashtra. The temple of Goddess Renuka Devi is situated on a hillock abounding in natural beauty at a distance of about 2.415 km. from the village of Mahur.

On the day of Dasara every year a very big fair is held in honour of Renukadevi Goddess Renuka is associated with the Goddess Yellamma worship in Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Goddess Renuka is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga and is popular in rural culture as the Mother Goddess and is worshipped as Amma, Yellamma, Duggavva, Dyaamavva and Marikamba. Her name and attributes changes from region to region.

Legend has it that Renuka was the wife of Sage Jamadagni and he suspected her of infidelity and ordered Parashurama to behead her. Lord Parashurama obeyed his father and when Sage Jamadagni wanted to reward his son, Lord Parashurama asked him to bring back his mother. Thus Renuka, the mother of Lord Parashurama, was brought back to life.

This story found numerous interpretations in rural culture and Renuka is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga and in this incarnation she represented the fate of many rural women who were falsely accused of infidelity or other crimes.

Goddess Renuka performs the role of Mother Goddess and is responsible for the welfare of her devotees, for curing diseases and protecting the cattle. A large number of Goddesses worshipped in rural culture are forms of Goddess Durga. She is given different rural names and characteristics but her role remains the same that of the...