Jagdamba Mata Mandir

Ganj Golai, Latur, Taluka & District Latur

The city of Latur has left an indelible mark on the land of Marathwada through its historical, cultural, and religious traditions. Nestled in the heart of this city is ‘Ganj Golai’ and the Jagdamba Mata Mandir within it, a sacred place of faith for millions of devotees in Marathwada. Sixteen roads radiate from the Ganj Golai building like the rays of the sun. A unique feature of this place is that the temple’s pinnacle and dome are easily visible from any corner of the city or from any of these sixteen roads. The people of Latur have deep faith in Jagdamba Mata, whose temple came into existence in the twentieth century. She is considered the guardian deity of this city.

The history of Latur dates back many centuries. According to ancient inscriptions and copper plates, this city was known as Lattalur, the place of origin of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The Rashtrakuta kings were patrons of art and architecture. As they were worshippers of Shiva-Shakti, it is believed that they must have established their family deity in the center of their capital. Although the layout of the city has changed over time, the importance of Jagdamba Mata remains as steadfast as ever.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, when Latur was part of the Nizam’s Hyderabad State, the concept of a central marketplace emerged to provide a systematic structure to the city’s growing trade. The foundation stone for this ambitious Ganj Golai project was laid around 1917. Its architect was Mr. Fayazuddin. While designing this structure, he achieved a beautiful synthesis of Europe’s ‘radial planning’ and the Indian Vedic ‘Karmuk’ (bow-shaped) style. This circular or bow-like structure was designed in such a way that the temple of the Goddess was placed at the center point of the city, the Brahmasthan.

Jagdamba Mata is considered an aspect of Tulja Bhavani, the Kulswamini (family deity) of Maharashtra. According to a popular legend, when the construction of Ganj Golai began in 1917, there was an ancient original site of the Goddess at that location. It is said that the then-Nizam administration received a divine vision of the Goddess in a dream, and without disturbing this site, they built the grand market complex keeping it at the center. The 16 roads originating from Ganj Golai are considered the arteries of Latur’s economy. The network of various trade centers like Saraf Line (Jewelry market), Kapad Line (Cloth market), Lokhand Line (Iron market), and Bhusar Line (Grain market) eventually converges at the feet of Jagdamba Mata. The traders here have immense faith in the Goddess; hence, they begin new business dealings only after seeking her blessings.

There is a circular building in the center of Ganj Golai. There are four main entrances to reach the temple located in the middle of the Golai from that building. There are shops on both sides of this building—the circular road surrounding it and the temple on the inner side. This structure is two-storied, with shops and offices on the upper floor as well. The building has four stone entrances. The main entrance is, of course, in the east, facing the main door of the inner temple structure. After entering through this door, one can see the three-storied main temple structure with its shikhara (pinnacle) design. The circumambulation path (pradakshina marg) around the temple is enclosed on one side with an iron grill. Through an iron door located there, one enters in front of the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) of the Goddess. The ceiling of this circumambulation path is beautifully decorated. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha on the lintel of the sanctum door, which is covered with silver plating. Above this door, there is another large idol of Ganesha. On both sides of it are idols of elephants in a saluting posture, similar to those seen beside Gajant Lakshmi. From the entrance of the sanctum, one can see the idol of Jagdamba Mata carved in black stone. The idol is surrounded by a silver arch (mahirap). Outside this arch is a carved wooden canopy (makhar). In front of the Goddess is an idol of a lion, the Goddess’s vehicle, carved in black stone, and behind it is a tortoise idol. It is said that there was a smaller idol of the Goddess in this sanctum earlier. The current eight-foot-tall idol of the Goddess, carved in black stone, was installed in that spot in October 1989. There are many small niches on the circumambulation path. They contain beautiful idols carved in black stone of deities and planetary deities such as Dattatreya, Radha-Krishna, Vitthal-Rakhumai, Ravi (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Shankar, Mangal (Mars), Budh (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, Ketu, Hanuman, and Ganesha.

The main festival celebrated in this temple is Sharadiya Navratri. The appearance of the temple changes completely due to the decorations done during this festival, which lasts from Ashvin Shuddha Pratipada to Vijayadashami. The entire Ganj Golai area is illuminated with lights. During these nine days, the idol of the Goddess is worshipped in various forms. The Goddess is adorned with various ornaments. Bhajan-kirtans and cultural programs are organized daily. A massive crowd of devotees gathers here on Dussehra, i.e., Vijayadashami. Apart from this, thousands of lamps are lit around the temple and in the Ganj Golai market area during Diwali. Special programs are also organized on the night of Kojagiri Purnima. Every Tuesday and Friday, there is a large crowd of devotees to seek the blessings of the Goddess. Devotees can have darshan of the Goddess from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Useful Information:

• 500 meters from Latur bus stand
• ST bus service available to Latur from many cities in the state
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the vicinity