Papanash Temple

Chorakhali, Taluka Kalamb, District Dharashiv

The concepts of sin and merit help keep human life righteous. Sometimes, even a righteous person commits a sin knowingly or unknowingly. At such times, one feels remorse, experiences restlessness, and develops a desire to perform penance. Various penances have been prescribed in the scriptures for such individuals. These include charity, offerings, building temples, and performing various vows. However, there are some temples and pilgrimage sites where merely taking a holy bath destroys sins. There is one such temple in the village of Chorakhali in Dharashiv district. It is believed that bathing in the Papanash Kund here destroys sins.

This temple is said to date back to the thirteenth century, during the Yadava era. The village has historical significance as it is the maternal hometown of Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar. Legend has it that while Lord Shriram, Lakshman, and Sita were in exile, they visited this place and worshipped a Shiva Linga. To obtain water for the Shiva worship, Shriram struck the ground with an arrow, creating the Papanash Kund, and blessed it, saying that those who bathe in this Kund would be liberated from the sins of many lifetimes. It is said that Lakshman was the first to bathe in this Kund and cleanse himself of his sins.

There is a parking area in front of this temple, located about two kilometers from the village. The temple is surrounded by a sturdy fortification wall, which features an entrance gate. On both sides of the entrance, square pillars are adorned with paintings of Bairagis blowing conch shells. A sculpture of Lord Ganesha is placed on the lintel of the entrance, and the architrave is decorated with circular patterns on both sides. Inside the courtyard, there are raised platforms with roofs attached to the fortification wall on both sides of the entrance. A Nandi sculpture is placed on the platform to the right. These platforms serve as resting places for devotees. Along the three sides of the courtyard, there are cloisters attached to the fortification wall, which are used as a pilgrim rest house.

The temple structure consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), an Antarala (vestibule), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). On both sides of the entrance to the Sabha Mandap, there are platforms with Tulsi Vrindavans. In front of the entrance, a black stone Nandi sculpture rests on a platform. The hooded serpent carving on the back of this Nandi is unique. The enclosed Sabha Mandap has four rows of four ornate square pillars each. The outer pillars are embedded in the walls. All pillars are connected to each other by crescent-shaped arches. In the Sabha Mandap, to the right of the entrance to the Antarala, there is a niche containing a Ganesha idol. To the left are idols of Vitthal and Rukmini. On the floor of the Antarala, there is a tortoise sculpture in the center. Further ahead is the Garbhagriha. Since the entrance to the Antarala and Garbhagriha is ancient, the carvings on the doorframe and lintel have become faint.

In the center of the Garbhagriha, there is a Shiva Linga on the floor. It is said that this Shiva Linga was installed by Lord Shriram himself. A five-hooded brass serpent canopy covers the Shiva Linga, and five brass vessels for ritual bathing are hung from the ceiling above it. This arrangement of five ritual vessels is unique. There are lamp niches on the walls of the Garbhagriha. The exterior walls (Mandovara) feature carvings of elephants, nagas, and circular patterns. The temple roof is bordered by a parapet. The roof of the Garbhagriha features a three-tiered hexagonal Urushringa-style spire. Each of the three tiers of the spire contains six niches. At the top of the main spire, there are six sub-spires on six corners, topped with Amalakas and finials. The main spire is crowned with a central Amalaka and a finial.

Behind the temple is a stepwell (Pushkarani). To reach it, one must pass through a small door in the fortification wall. Since the Pushkarani is about ten feet below the level of the courtyard, one must descend about fifteen steps in front of the entrance. In the center of the Pushkarani stands the temple of Vageshwar Mahadev. It is said that Shriram and Lakshman struck the ground with an arrow to create this water tank to perform rituals for the Shiva Linga. Along the walls of the Pushkarani are ancient and weathered sculptures of Veergal (hero stones), Sati stones, and deities like Maruti, Vishnu, and Mahadev. A continuous stream of water flows from a Gomukh (cow-faced spout) in the wall of the Pushkarani.

On the banks of the Pushkarani are the tombs of saints and great figures like Mahadev Buva, Tulsidas Maharaj, Atmaram Buva, and Nityanand Maharaj. There is a Bhakta Niwas (pilgrim residence) here for devotees arriving from other villages. The annual three-day fair is celebrated with great enthusiasm from Chaitra Shuddha Dwadashi to Chaturdashi. On Chaitra Purnima, the Palkhi (palanquin) procession of Papanash Mahadev is taken out amidst the sound of drums and the throwing of gulal. During this time, the deity is taken on a tour of the village. Additionally, festivals are celebrated during Mahashivratri, Adhik Maas, and Shravan Maas. Thousands of devotees visit during these times for the deity’s darshan and to fulfill their vows. As there is a tradition of vowing to provide food (Annadan), Mahaprasad is distributed by devotees every Dwadashi.

Useful Information

• 33 km from Dharashiv
• ST bus service available from Kalamb and Dharashiv
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities available in the area
• Contact: Ashok Maindad, Mob. 8308340504,
• Digambar Maindad, 9423448010