Siddheshwar Temple

Narkhed, Taluka Mohol, District Solapur

Situated in the village of Narkhed, nestled between the Sina and Bhogavati rivers, lies the medieval-era Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple. The Shiva Linga within this temple is made of sandstone. It is believed that this Shiva Linga was installed by Lord Shri Rama himself. Devotees hold the firm belief that sincere and heartfelt worship of Siddheshwar Mahadev here fulfills all desires. A grand three-day fair is held in the month of Chaitra for this presiding deity of Narkhed. Due to reverence for Siddheshwar, no building in the village is constructed taller than the temple. This age-old tradition is followed to this day.

It is a popular belief that the village of Narkhed was sanctified by the touch of Lord Shri Rama’s feet. The legend associated with this temple states that Lord Rama killed Ravana as punishment for the abduction of Mother Sita. However, Ravana was a supreme devotee of Lord Shiva and also a Brahmin well-versed in the Vedas. By killing him, Lord Rama incurred the sin of Brahma-hatya (killing a Brahmin) and the killing of a Shiva devotee. To seek liberation from this, Lord Rama installed Shiva Lingas at every place where he rested during his journey from Lanka to Ayodhya. He stopped at Narkhed during this journey. At that time, this area was part of the Dandakaranya forest and was densely wooded. He installed a Shiva Linga here, which is known as Siddheshwar Mahadev.

In the scripture ‘Kalpasamuh Samhita’, it is said, ‘Siddheshwar Dev ase tethe siddhi ase’ (Where there is Lord Siddheshwar, there is spiritual attainment). In the Shaiva tradition, one who achieves spiritual progress through self-discipline, controls their consciousness, becomes one with Shiva, and attains divine powers is called a Siddha. Saint Dnyaneshwar referred to the Nath tradition as the Siddha-panth. There are eighty-four Siddhas mentioned in the Nath tradition. Siddheshwar means the Lord of all these Siddhas. The exact history of the establishment of the Siddheshwar Temple in Narkhed is unavailable. However, according to experts, this temple was likely built during the reign of the Yadava King Krishna, also known as Kanhar, who ascended the throne in the year 1247. The original temple of Siddheshwar here was in the Hemadpanti architectural style. Hemadpant, also known as Hemadri Sodvikar, served in the courts of Mahadeva Yadava and Ramadeva Raya Yadava. Mahadeva and subsequently Ramadeva Raya came to power after Krishna. Therefore, it is conjectured that the original temple was built during their time. Over time, the temple underwent renovations, giving it its current form.

The temple is located in the center of Narkhed village. There is a stone fortification wall around the temple. Outside this wall, adjacent to it, is a Maruti temple. On the balcony above the entrance gate in the fortification wall, there is a seated idol of Lord Shiva with two lion sculptures nearby. Behind the idol of Shiva are a trident and a drum. This entrance has wooden shutters that resemble those of a fort. One enters the temple courtyard through this gate. There are arched corridors along the inner side of the fortification wall. The structure of the temple consists of a Nandi Mandapa, a Mandapa, a Sabha Mandapa, an Antarala, and a Garbhagriha. In the independent Nandi Mandapa, there is a Shiva Pindi between four stone pillars, and in front of it is a Nandi idol carved from a single stone. In front of the Nandi Mandapa is an open Mandapa. From this Mandapa, one enters the Sabha Mandapa of the temple. In the center of the Sabha Mandapa, there is a brass idol of Nandi on a pedestal and a tortoise sculpture on the floor.

On both sides of the entrance to the Garbhagriha, which is located in the Antarala, there are pillar branches. These branches are covered with brass sheets. At the base of this entrance is a Kirtimukha, an idol of Ganapati at the lintel, and torana carvings on the upper section. In the center of the Garbhagriha is a square Shiva Pindi made of black stone. In front of this Pindi, on a wooden platform near the wall, is a metal mask of Siddheshwar. On the morning of Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada, the first rays of the sun fall directly on this Pindi. The Shikhara above the Garbhagriha is topped with two Amalakas and a Kalasha.
There is an unwritten rule that no construction in the village should be taller than the Kalasha of the Siddheshwar Temple. It is believed here that if a structure is built taller than the Kalasha, it does not prove beneficial. Consequently, no two-story buildings are found in the village. To maintain the sanctity of Siddheshwar, villagers do not consume non-vegetarian food in the temple vicinity. It is believed that doing so invites the wrath of Siddheshwar.

The responsibility for the management, maintenance, repairs, and organization of religious programs of the temple has been with the Gurav family of the village for many years. The British government appointed an Inam Commission and, in 1861, entrusted the entire management and expenditure responsibility of the temple to the Gurav family. The British also granted a charter (Sanad) to the Gurav family for this purpose. During the British era, the government provided 20 rupees annually to the Gurav family. Daily worship and rituals of Siddheshwar are performed in the temple.

A three-day fair of Siddheshwar is held here starting from Chaitra Shuddha Navami. For the past few years, a chant of three crore names of Hari is performed here on the occasion of the fair. The villagers arrange for Mahaprasad for the devotees who arrive during this time. On the first evening of the fair at six o’clock, the villagers take out a procession of the grain store (Dhanyakothi) in a bullock cart. On the second day at dawn, the temple priest performs an Abhisheka to Siddheshwar. At five o’clock in the evening, the procession of the Lord’s staff (Kathi) begins from the Dalit settlement. Fireworks and entertainment programs are organized. On the third day, Zunka-Bhakri Prasad is served to the devotees. During this time, programs of Dhangari Ovis (folk songs) and large wrestling matches are held. Entertainment programs are organized in the evening. There is a large crowd of devotees here on Shravani Mondays, as well as on all Shivratris and Mahashivratri.

Useful Information

• 13 km from Mohol and 46 km from Solapur
• ST bus service available from Mohol
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities available in the area
• Contact: Temple Office, Mob. 9766019917, 9421031094