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SHRINES OF MAHARASHTRA
INTRODUCTION
Maharashtra is considered the Madhyarashtra or the cultural corridor between the north and south of India. This physical location has colored the secular outlook of people in the state, thereby leading to the development of shrines of all religions here. People of different religions and races have left their mark on the religious monuments in Maharashtra. These pilgrim centers continue to offer solace to future generations to find peace within themselves and in coexisting with others.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Sai Baba at Shirdi
The radiance and mysterious power of Sai Baba, the saint who has changed the lives of countless people all over India, can be encountered in a distinguished village 296 km from Mumbai. The idol of the mystic saint Sai Baba at Shirdi is greatly revered by both the Hindus and Muslims. People of both the communities pay their respects and seek the blessings of the deity, especially on Thursdays and during Ram Navami, Guru Poornima and Dussehra. He was a saint of all religions. He prayed before idols in temples and said namaaz in the masjid, making Shirdi a meeting point for Hindus and Muslims. He possessed miraculous power to heal and could predict the future of people. He could fulfil wishes and punish those who broke the laws of morality. Sai Baba became an enigma and the crowds began pouring into Shirdi long before his death on October 15, 1918.
The ash from the Sai Baba's fire pit is famous as vibhuti-the remedy for all ills. Sai Baba's samadhi (final resting place) is a major attraction. It is said that it was the stone platform (chauki) beneath the neem tree where Sai Baba and the five dogs of Shirdi stayed.
Jyotirlingas
Jyotirlingas are the natural abodes of Lord Shiva. In Maharashtra, there are five of the twelve jyotirlingas. The two most important are Bhimashankar, near the river Bhima and Tryambakeshvar, on the banks of the Godavari. During Mahashivaratri, Bhimashankar attracts thousands of pilgrims. A dip in the holy waters is believed to wash away sins. Tryambakeshvar is also the source of the river Godavari. It is 18 miles from Nasik and teems with pilgrims during festivals like Dussehra and Diwali. The other jyotirlingas are at Girishneshwar near Ellora, Aundh Nagnath in Parbani, and Parli Vaijnath in Beed.
Nasik
The temple town of Nasik is on the banks of the Godavari. Temple spires dot the skyline of Nasik while a host of shrines are scattered all over the town. The Sundar Narayan Temple is one of the most notable temples here while the Kapaleeshwar Temple is said to be the oldest. The latter is a cave and a grove of wondrous banyan trees, associated with the Panchavati family. It was from this cave, known as the Sita Gupha, that Ravana is said to have whisked away Sita (the consort of Lord Rama) to his kingdom in Lanka. Nearby, the Kala Ram Temple, with almost a hundred arches in its structure, draws pilgrims throughout the year. In Nasik, once every twelve years, the Sinhasta Fair is held to honor Lord Tryambakeshvar. According to folklore, when the amrit or nectar of immortality was being distributed, a dispute arose between the gods and the demons. In the ensuing tussle, the nectar spilled at Haridwar, Ujjain, Allahabad and Nasik. Thus, a Kumbh Mela is held once every three years at one of these towns.
Pandharpur
Pandharpur in Sholapur district is referred to as the spiritual capital of Maharashtra. It draws the largest number of pilgrims. The Temple of Lord Vithoba, the titular deity of Maharashtra, draws people from all the communities-Varkaris, Jains, Buddhists and others. Devotees believe in reaching Pandharpur on foot, as they aspire to attain salvation through devotion to Lord Vithoba.
Saint Namdev spent a major part of his life at Pandharpur. He was responsible for building up the Varakari Sampradays school of thought. The dominant note of his thoughts is the earnest and whole-hearted devotion to God. He wrote a number of abhangas (lyrical poems) to show people the path to God.
Alandi
Alandi is a small pilgrim town at a short distance from Pune. Here the tomb of Saint Dnyaneshwar is located. A large fair is held here in November/December. Saint Dnyaneshwar had performed many miracles and the people of Alandi and Apegaon are witnesses to these. The Dnyaneshwari written by him in about AD 1290 is a commentary on the Gita, which is respected as one of India's finest mystical compositions. He also wrote a number of lyrical poems or abhangas that give expression to his mystic experiences.
Jejuri
Another well-known pilgrim center is Jejuri, 38 km from Pune. Here the shrine is Khandoba (Lord Shiva), who is the family deity of the shepherd community. During the Chaitra, Pusha and Magha months of the Hindu calendar, thousands of pilgrims flock this place. Devotees ascend the steep flight of steps to the hilltop, along a path illuminated with bright deepmalas. The objective is to fulfill their vows.
Ganesha Temples
Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is a popular household deity in Maharashtra. He is known as Mangal Murti, the auspicious deity. Before taking any major venture, prayers are offered to him. Ganesh temples are present in every village and town, but there are eight sacred centers of Ganesh worship called the Ashtavinayaks. These are Mayureshvar at Morgaon; Siddhivinayak at Siddhatek; Ballavinayak at Pali; Varadvinayak at Mahad; Vighneshwar near Junnar; Girijatmaka at Lenyadri; and Rajangaon on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road. Of these, the temple at Mayureshvar, about 64 km from Pune, is the most important.
Osho Ashram
At Koregaon park in Pune is located the famous Rajneesh (Osho) Ashram. This aboriginal ashram continues to flourish even after the death of Bhagwan Rajneesh-the iconoclastic god man who, it is said, moved people to extremes of feeling. People, particularly thousands of foreigners, became his faithful followers. Alongside, a large number of people in India condemn him as a 'pretender', who led people down the path of moral bankruptcy. Along with meditation, Bhagwan Rajneesh, who developed strong leanings towards Zen Buddhism in his later years, advocated liberation of the senses, including free sex, long stretches of continuous laughing and crying, as the path to enlightenment.
Walkeswar Temple
Nenar, the posh residential area on Malabar Hill in Mumbai, has the unusual temple of Walkeswar-the Lord of Sand. The structure was built more than 1000 years ago and then rebuilt again in 1715. Legend has it that Lord Rama rested at this spot when he was on his way to far away Lanka to rescue Sita. Lord Rama erected a lingam of sand at the site, which came in time to be called Walkeswar.
Mahalaxmi Temple
Downhill from Malabar Hill, parallel to the seashore, is the oldest temple in Mumbai-the temple of Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of wealth. The idols of the Goddess and her two sisters are said to have been found in the sea.
Tomb of Haji Ali
Tomb of Haji Ali, in Mumbai, is in the long causeway and can be reached only when the tide is low. As the tide ebbs, the spot where the saint drowned comes into view. Venerated by people regardless of their religious background, the tomb is a popular pilgrimage center. It is said that every wish is granted here if one keeps faith in the generosity of the saint.
Other Shrines
People of all religions offer prayers at the Mount Mary Church located at Bandra in Mumbai as also in the dargah of the Muslim saint Makhtum Fakih Ali Paru at Mahim. In Nanded, 170 miles northwest of Hyderabad on the Godavari River, is an important shrine of the Sikhs. The Gurdwara here was built in memory of Guru Govind Singh, the last guru of the Sikhs, and draws pilgrims from all over the country.
HOW TO REACH
Maharashtra is one of the most connected states in India. Its capital, Mumbai (formerly Bombay), is connected by air, rail and bus to all the prime destinations of India. Nasik is 187 km from Mumbai and 184 km from Pune and is well connected by road and rail. Tryambakeswar is 29 km west of Nasik and connected to it by road. Pune is 163 km from Mumbai and well connected by rail, road and air. Pandharpur is 193 km from Pune. Shirdi can be approached form Aurangabad or Ahmednagar.
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