Padmavati Devi Temple

Pusgaon, Taluka Ambajogai, District Beed

The Ambajogai region, known as the cultural capital of Marathwada and the workplace of the primordial poet Mukundraj, is blessed with a rich historical and spiritual heritage. This city is situated on the banks of the Jaywanti River. The city is also referred to as Ambangari. In Pusgaon, located within this sacred land, stands the Padmavati Devi Temple, which serves as a testament to ancient Indian architecture. The mythological thread of the great sage Shukacharya and an Apsara is connected to this temple. Mother Padmavati is renowned as a Goddess who fulfills the wishes and aspirations of her devotees.

Scholars estimate that this stone temple, built in the Hemadpanti architectural style, dates back to approximately the twelfth century. The legend regarding this temple states that the great sage Shukacharya was performing penance in the dense forest at this location. To break his penance, Indra sent an Apsara from heaven. While the Apsara was dancing and singing, Shukacharya squinted his eyes and caught a glimpse of the Goddess’s lotus-like feet. As soon as Shukacharya’s yogic vision fell upon her, the Apsara turned into stone. Shukacharya blessed the Apsara, saying, “From now on, you will be known as Padmavati, and you will fulfill all the wishes and aspirations of the devotees who worship you.” Over time, a temple was built at this site. It is believed that the Goddess has been established here since the beginning of the Kali Yuga.

A paved asphalt road leads to this temple, which is located a short distance from Pusgaon. There is a spacious parking area in front of the temple. The temple is enclosed by a sturdy stone fortification wall about ten feet high. There is an entrance gate in the fortification, which features door frames adorned with vertical carvings. Above the entrance is an arched torana. On both sides of the torana are relief-style animal sculptures. Below the animal sculptures are lamp niches. Upon entering through the gate, one enters the Darshan Mandap. A brass bell hangs from the ceiling of the Darshan Mandap. The construction of the Darshan Mandap, which consists of four square pillars supporting a roof, is of more recent origin.

The temple is structured with a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), an Antarala (vestibule), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). To the left of the entrance to the Sabha Mandap is a platform featuring ancient stone sculptures smeared with vermilion. There are lamp niches on both sides of the entrance. The door frames are flat, and there is a semi-circular torana above. The entrance has ornate wooden shutters. In the center of the Sabha Mandap are four ornate half-pillars. The pillars feature various geometric shapes such as squares, hexagons, octagons, and circles. At the top are brackets and above them are hands. Resting on these hands is a vaulted roof. There are two additional doors on the right and left sides of the Sabha Mandap.

Further ahead is a small Antarala, followed by the entrance to the Garbhagriha. The front wall of the Garbhagriha features pillar carvings. The door frames of the entrance are adorned with leaf and flower motifs. On the lintel, there is a sculpture of Lord Ganapati. A chakra is carved on the mandarka. The entrance has ornate wooden shutters. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha (diamond throne), is an ornate stone shrine. The shrine has four ornate pillars and a dome-shaped spire. Inside the shrine is the self-manifested (Swayambhu) stone idol of the Goddess. The Goddess’s bindi and eyes are made of silver. She also wears a silver crown on her head. Behind the idol, in the silver prabhavali (halo), is a peacock torana with a Kirtimukha at the top. In front of the idol are silver sandals. On the right side of the Vajrapitha is a brass mask of the Goddess. On the left side is another shrine containing an idol.

The exterior walls of the temple are decorated with various types of carvings. In a niche on the back wall is an eight-armed Mahishasuramardini sculpture. The Goddess holds various weapons in her hands. The Goddess has placed her foot on the body of Mahishasura and is striking him with a spear. In one hand, she holds the head of Mahishasura. On the roof of the Garbhagriha is a five-tiered square spire in the Dravidian style. Each tier of the spire features Shala and Kuta structures. There are lion sculptures on all four sides of the spire. In each tier, there are sculptures of various deities facing the four cardinal directions. At the top of the spire is a stupika topped with a kalasha. There is a circumambulation path (pradakshina marg) around the exterior of the temple. The outer side of the circumambulation path has an iron safety railing.

In the courtyard, a short distance from this temple, is the Shukacharya Temple. In front of the temple is a Tulsi Vrindavan. Beyond that, on a platform, are a Nandi and a Shiva Linga. In front of the platform are ornate square pillars with lotus-shaped hands on top. It is said that this is a memorial pillar. The temple, which consists of a Sabha Mandap and a Garbhagriha, has a recently built Sabha Mandap, while the Garbhagriha is ancient. There is a Nandi idol in the Sabha Mandap of the temple. The door frames of the Garbhagriha feature vertical carvings. There is a Ganapati sculpture on the lintel. In the center of the Garbhagriha floor is a Shiva Linga.
In the courtyard, to the right of the temple, is a small shrine. It contains a four-armed Narasimha idol holding a conch, discus, and mace. Behind the temple are two ponds built of carved stone. One is a bathing pond and the other is a sacred pond (Tirthakund). The bathing pond is for the use of devotees, while the water from the Tirthakund is used for the Goddess’s abhisheka. Both ponds have steps leading down into them. There is a drinking water well in the courtyard.

Chaitra Purnima is the main annual festival here. A two-day fair is celebrated on this occasion. During this time, the Goddess’s procession (Chhabina) is taken out amidst the sound of drums and the throwing of gulal. Thousands of devotees come for the Goddess’s darshan and to fulfill their vows. During the festival, shops selling various items are set up, giving the area the appearance of a temporary marketplace. During the fair and the Sharadiya Navaratri festival, programs such as bhajans, kirtans, discourses, jagaran, and gondhal are organized in the temple, and Mahaprasad is distributed. There is a large crowd of devotees at the temple during festivals such as Chaitra Padwa, Chaitra Navaratri, Shakambhari Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, the month of Ashadh, and the month of Shravan. Additionally, there is a steady flow of devotees on Tuesdays, Fridays, Purnima, Amavasya, and Ashtami.

Useful Information:

• 14 km from Ambajogai
• 107 km from Beed
• ST bus service available from Ambajogai
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities available in the area
• Contact: Priest, Mobile 9405074709, 7020750935