Renuka Devi Temple, Mahur
Post No. 11,959
Date uploaded in London – – May 2 2023
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Of the six famous Sakti shrines of Maharashtra, we had the Darshan (View) of Kolhapur Mahalakshmi and Tuljapur Bhavani yesterday. Let us visit ‘Seven Hill’ Top Devi Temple- Saptasringinivasini Devi Shrine now.
Part 7
34.Saptasringi nivasini Devi
Shree Sapta shrungi Gad is situated at a distance of 60 km from Nashik in Kalwan Tahsil.
The temple is situated at 4659 feet above sea level, on a hill surrounded by seven peaks. It is considered Ardha Shaktipeeth out of Sadetin Shakti Peeths in Maharashtra.
What is Sade Tin?
Sade tin in Hindi means Three and a half. The story is,
Daksha, father of Shakti/Devi, started a Yajna (Fire ceremony). He invited all deities except Shakti’s husband Shiva.
However, Shakti took the decision to attend the Yagna. Sati was badly treated when she objected to the Yajna without her husband; and in anger, Sati killed herself by self immolation. When Shiva knew that, he took Vira bhadra’s avatar and destroyed Dakshha’s Yajna and cut off his head. Shiva then picked the remains of Satis’s Body and performed the Taandav, the celestial Dance of Destruction. Frightened by destruction other Gods requested Vishnu to intervene to stop this Tandav of Shiva. As a response, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra on Satis’s Corpse, and Satis’s body parts fell at several places in the country. Each of the places is considered Sakti Peethas and were deemed places of great spiritual import. There is a total of 50+ such locations where body parts of Goddess fell.
Sade tin in Hindi means Three and half.
Three and a half Shakti Peethas are in Maharashtra where body parts fell. They are
1.Mahalakshmi Temple,
2.Tulja Bhavani Temple
3. Renuka Temple at Mahur and
Saptashrungi Temple of Vani in Nashik district. This is known as a half (sade) Shakti Peeth of Goddess Shakti because not a full, but half body part, landed.
The figure of the goddess is about eight feet high, carved in relief out of the natural rock. She has eighteen hands ,nine on each side, each hand grasping a different weapon. Saptashringa Gad is a place where Goddess Bhagawati dwells. Saptashringa signifies seven horned/mountain peaks. Nanduri village is situated at the foot of the Saptashringa Gad.
The Saptashringi hill has variety of flora having medicinal worth. There are various kunds/tanks like Kalikund, Suryakund and Dattatraya Kund. Opposite to the Saptashrind, to the east, divided by the deep ravine, is Markanedya hill. This is said to have been the abode of the sage Markendeya. During his lifetime, had written Durga Saptashati. Large fairs are held in Chaitra and Ashwina Navratri.
One has to climb 510 steps to reach the temple. There is also a circumlocutory path used by pilgrims to do parikrama around the temple. This path is a steep rocky route. The hills are covered with verdant forests.
Gondhal, an ancient folk dance-drama is presented before the deity by devotees belonging to Gondali, Bhutye, Aaradhi and Naik communities. The Gondhali performance, usually held at night, is accompanied by singing with accompaniment of musical instruments. They sing and dance about the Leelas of Goddess (Divine Stories).
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Saptashrungi Ropeway, Nashik Overview
Saptashrungi is situated on top of a hillock and a strenuous trek uphill is required to reach it. So the ropeway was installed here for the ease of the pilgrims The funicular trolley started operating in July 2018 and has a total of 6 compartments that can accommodate 10 people each.
Once you get down at the station, there are still around 20 steps that you will need to climb in order to reach the shrine. At present, the trolley carries around 5000 pilgrims on a daily basis.
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35.Vani
Near the foot of Saptasrngi Hill is Vani. The hill goddess condescends to be worshipped here by those who, from old age or other infirmity , are unable to climb the hill. The festival is held on Chaitra Krishna Ashtami.
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36.Mahur Renuka Devi Temple
Mahur or Mahurgad is in Nanded district of Maharashtra, it is the birthplace of Hindu God Dattatreya. Near Mahur, There is a confluence of River Penganga and River Pus at Hiwara Sangam village,
There are three mountains in Mahur. The first one is having Renuka Mahar devi mata Temple, who is mother of the god Parshuram. Other two are called Datta Shikhar and Atri Anasuya Shikar Temples. Datta Shikhar is highest of all.
Temple to Renuka Mata is considered one of the three and half Shakti Peethas (temples) in the state. The nine-day Navaratri festival at the temple is famous for its unique rituals. Thousands of people arrive to celebrate Navratri at the abode of Renuka Devi.
The “Matru Tirth” (means sacred place for Mother’s worship) Place on this Mountain is the one which is where today stands a lake, is “Antyeshti Sthan” (Means place where last rites were performed
There are many other temples in Mahur like Rishi Jamdagni Mahar Temple, Lord Parshuram Mahar Temple, Kalika Mata Temple, Devdevshwar Temple, and also the Caves called Pandav Leni. There is Fort in Mahur. This was built by Gond kingdom of Chandrapur. This fort is quite large.
Mahur finds mention in the ancient Devi Bhagawatam as “Matripura” or “Matapur“, where it is mention as one of the famous pilgrimages.
Renuka devi Temple is located on a hill -top with caves around it. Renuka devi is adorned with various gold ornaments such as the golden flower earrings, gold garlands, nose-ring etc.
An ascend of around 250 stone cut steps on the Sahyadri ranges, with the breath taking view of Mahur sprawling beneath, surrounded by caves is the temple of Renuka Devi. The temple is a Shaktipeeth and is considered the birthplace of Renuka, mother of the great Parashurama. It is believed that a Yadava King of Devagiri had constructed it about 800-900 years ago.
The legend says that Renuka was decapitated by Parashurama on the orders of his father and the temple is where her head fell. She was later brought back to life by Sage Jamadagni as a boon to his son, Parashurama.
This temple is part of the famous Sade Theen Shakthipeet Darshan Yatra and Shaktipeethas.
To be continued………………………….
Xxxx subham xxxx
Tags- Renuka devi, temple, Mahur, Saptasringi, Vani, Sade tin, Sakti peetha
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