Hareshwar Temple

Gondhale, Taluka Chiplun, District Ratnagiri

The Harihareshwar Temple in Gondhale village, Chiplun taluka of Ratnagiri district, is one of the ancient Shiva temples of the Konkan region. Nestled in the lap of nature, adorned with lush greenery and situated on the banks of the Tamraparni River, this temple dates back to the Peshwa era. The Shiva Linga here was gifted to the Peshwas by the King of Nepal. Their officials had brought it here after stealing it and subsequently consecrated it. While there are differing opinions on whether this was an act of theft or immense devotion, the smooth, purple-hued Shiva Linga, carved from a stone found in the Gandaki River of Nepal, remains the main attraction here.

The story of this temple is that the Peshwas had received a Shiva Linga, carved from a stone from the Gandaki River, as a gift from the King of Nepal. At that time, Appaji Chimnaji Gondhalekar was serving in a high position in the Peshwa’s court. He was deeply moved by this Shiva Linga and desired to build a temple in his native village of Gondhale and install the Linga there. Accordingly, he requested the Peshwas for this Pindi; however, the Peshwas flatly rejected his request. Gondhalekar was a devotee of Shiva, and his devotion to Shiva would not let him rest. He built a temple in his village, Gondhale, and cleverly managed to bring the Pindi from the Peshwas and consecrated it there. By the time the Peshwas learned of this, the Pranapratishtha (consecration) had already been performed. Therefore, they could not do anything. Since the theft was committed for a noble cause, the Peshwas did not impose a very harsh punishment on him, but merely stripped him of some of his rights.

Appaji Chimnaji Gondhalekar’s original surname was Sathe. Having come from Pirandavane, he purchased the Khoti of Gondhale village in 1779. Prior to that, in 1773-74, he was considered a highly influential figure in the Peshwa’s court. It is recorded that after falling out of favor with the Peshwas due to the Shivpindi incident, he entrusted the worship of Lord Hareshwar to the Gokhales. Moro, from this very Gondhalekar family, Vishwanath Gondhalekar was the cousin of Ramabai, the wife of Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa. On the Guhagar-Chiplun road, two kilometers from Margtamhane, there is a road leading to the village of Gondhale. Nestled in the lap of the hills, this village is situated in a region rich in natural beauty. After descending a few steps near the entrance of the temple located along the road, one enters the courtyard. This temple, spread over an area of about 20 gunthas, stands 60 feet tall from its base. The entire courtyard is paved with laterite stone. The holy water (teertha) from the abhishek performed on the pindi flows out through a gomukh located at the back of the temple. Behind the temple premises, there are some stone idols as well as niches (devakoshtas). This stone-constructed temple has a tin shed in front. The temple structure consists of a Nandi-mandapa, Sabha-mandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha. In the Nandi-mandapa, facing the entrance of the wooden Sabha-mandapa, stands a monolithic idol of Nandi. The Sabha-mandapa has seating arrangements for devotees. On both sides of the entrance to the Antarala are attractive idols of two dwarapalas (gatekeepers), with a Kirtimukha at the bottom. There are idols of Lord Ganesha in a niche to the left of the Garbhagriha entrance and on the lalat-bimba (lintel) above the entrance of the Garbhagriha.

In the sanctum sanctorum, there is a unique Shiva Linga. The Bana (the Shivalinga) here is purple in color, resembling a Gandaki stone. This Bana is about one foot tall, elongated and circular, with a diameter of one and a half feet. The Bana is so smooth that one can see their own reflection in it. Some information is inscribed on the dome of this temple, which reads: ‘The construction of this Shri Harihareshwar temple was completed and the idol was consecrated in the year Shaka 1696 (Magh 14, Thursday) (i.e., 1704 AD) by Appaji Chimnaji Gondhalekar. Its renovation was carried out by Raoji Shridhar Gondhalekar in the year Shaka 1826 (i.e., 1904 AD) with the help of the people.’

Behind the temple, there is an ancient L-shaped stepwell with 40 steps. It is constructed from laterite stone, and niches have been carved into the walls of the well to hold lamps. This well contains water throughout the year.

Useful Information:

• 28 km from Chiplun and 90 km from Ratnagiri
• ST bus service available from Chiplun
• Private vehicles can reach the temple.
• There are no accommodation or breakfast facilities available in the vicinity.