Sheshanarayan Temple

Bahireswar, Taluka Karveer, District Kolhapur

In the ‘Karveer Mahatmya’, while describing the glory of Karveer, it is stated that Lord Vishnu, reclining on Shesha, resides at the four gates of this sacred region to protect it. (Holding the discus in His hand, Hari sleeps upon Shesha, residing amidst the waters to protect the four gates.) One of these abodes of Vishnu is at Bahireshwar. This temple of Sheshanarayana is situated in a very scenic area near the village, amidst a lake. The idol of Sheshashayi Vishnu, carved from Shaligrama stone within the temple, features unique craftsmanship. It is said that this temple was likely built in the eleventh century.

During the period when the Peshwa rule ended and British governance began, between the years 1821 and 1832, the poet and astrologer Dajiba Joshirao of Kolhapur composed the text ‘Karveer Mahatmya’. It describes the information and glory of various pilgrimage sites and temples in Kolhapur and its surrounding areas. According to this, there are four Vishnu shrines located in the four directions of the Karveer region: Atigre to the east, Kurdu to the south, Bahireshwar to the west, and Talsande to the north. In the seventh chapter of the Karveer Mahatmya, the site of Bahireswar is mentioned as ‘Paschimabdhi’, which means a large reservoir in the west. The verse from the seventh chapter of the scripture regarding this is as follows: ‘Paschimes Paschimabdhi. Palastirth ase aik. Tayamaji devnayak. Jalshayi tisra ase.’ This means that in the reservoir located to the west of the Karveer region, there is a pond called Palastirth, and within it lies the abode of Jalshayi Vishnu. 

Bahireshwar is a village situated near the present-day Kasba Beed, which was the residence of the Shilahara King Bhoja (the First), known as Tirwadbeed. In ancient times, this village was a part of Kasba Beed itself. The villagers believe that the village, which is prosperous due to its irrigated agriculture, is blessed by Sheshanarayana. It is said that the village has a high yield of milk. The citizens proudly state that 6000 liters of milk are dispatched from the village of Bahireshwar alone. In the lake near this village, right in the center, stands the Jalamandir of Sheshanarayana. This lake is 30 feet deep, and the foundation of the temple is even deeper. In the past, one had to reach this temple by boat. Later, a wooden bridge was constructed there. Now, a cement bridge has been built at this location. This small temple is situated at one end of the bridge. This temple of short height consists only of a sanctum sanctorum with a stepped, pyramid-like spire above it. Atop it sits an amalaka arranged in a lotus-petal design, crowned by a tall finial. There is a small circumambulatory path around the temple.

On this path, there is a pillar shaped like a Shiva Linga. It is said that it was erected as a mark of the Yajna performed here. This pillar is circular like a Shiva Linga at the top. Below that, it is octagonal, and further down, the pillar becomes square. This pillar is considered a symbol of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. According to the scriptures, the lowest square part represents the form of Brahma. The octagonal part above it belongs to Vishnu, and the part above that is called Shiva. Together, these three shapes form the Shiva Pindi.

Near the entrance of the temple, there is a three-tiered Sati stone. All the sculptures on it are clearly visible. The carvings indicate that this stone was erected in memory of the wives who committed Sati after their husbands were killed in battle. There is also a broken idol of Lord Vishnu here. Additionally, there is a beautiful carved sculpture of Lord Krishna. In this sculpture, Krishna is playing the flute and wearing a tall crown on his head. He is dressed in a yellow garment (Pitambar). He is adorned with ornaments around his neck and waist. It is said that the pond here had dried up during a drought, and it was at that time that these stone idols were discovered in the pond.

In the temple, an exquisitely beautiful idol of Sheshashayi Vishnu, carved into a Shaligrama, is enshrined upon a marble pedestal. On the five to seven-foot-tall Shaligrama, Vishnu is depicted in the Sheshashayi form, that is, in a reclining posture. Here, Lord Vishnu is seen resting upon the five-hooded Shesha. Adorned with a crown on His head and various ornaments on His body, Vishnu’s right hand is placed under His head as a support. His lower hand rests on His abdomen near the navel. In His upper left hand, He holds the Sudarshana Chakra, and in His lower left hand, He holds the Gada. From the lotus flower emerging from Vishnu’s navel, an idol of the four-faced Lord Brahma is carved, seated in the Padmasana posture. Because a lotus flower blooms from His navel, Vishnu is also known as Padmanabha. Goddess Lakshmi is present near Vishnu’s right foot. Below, in the same area, is an image of Garuda in a posture of salutation. Beside Vishnu’s crown, the Matsya avatar, the first incarnation of the Supreme Lord, is visible. Following Him, other incarnations such as Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Parashurama, Rama, and Krishna are also carved. At the very end is the Kalki avatar, followed by the image of Buddha.

Daily worship is performed at this temple. Women from the village often come here in the afternoon or evening to sing bhajans and gavlanis. Every Monday, there is a large gathering of devotees here. On the last Monday of Shravan, the annual fair festival is held in the temple premises. Devotees from far and wide participate in it in large numbers.

Useful Information

• 19 km away from Kolhapur
• ST bus facility from Kolhapur
• Private vehicles can reach up to the bank of the lake where the temple is situated.
• There are no accommodation and breakfast facilities available in the vicinity.
• Contact: Priest, Mob. 8329351007, 9657879813