Bageshwari Devi Temple

Amba, Taluka Partur, District Jalna

In the village of Amba, situated in Partur Taluka of Jalna District, there stands a renowned temple dedicated to Bageshwari Devi. Among the Shaktapanthiya deities, Bageshwari is considered a prominent and gentle goddess. Devotees primarily worship Bageshwari Devi for the attainment of clear speech, language proficiency, literary skills, and wisdom. The Devi is revered by various names such as Bageshwari, Vageshwari, and Vagheshwari. The temple in Nepal is considered the principal seat (Mukhya Peetha) of this deity. The Devi also has famous temples in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Assam. In Maharashtra too, there are many temples dedicated to the Devi. This temple in Amba village is considered a ‘Jagrut Sthan’ (a living, awakened place of divine presence), and devotees firmly believe that this Devi grants their wishes (navasala pavnari).

Regarding the origin of Bageshwari Devi, there is a narrative in the ‘Devipurana’. According to this, Prajapati Daksha, the father of Sati, the consort of Mahadeva, organized a grand Yajna. However, he did not extend an invitation for this Yajna to either Sati or Mahadeva. Nevertheless, Sati went to her father’s palace for the Yajna. There, Prajapati Daksha uttered words insulting Mahadeva. Unable to bear this grave insult to her husband, Sati immolated herself by leaping into the sacrificial fire. Mahadeva’s wrath became uncontrollable due to Sati’s demise, and He began the Tandava dance, carrying Sati’s lifeless body on His shoulder. This Tandava of Mahadeva generated terrifying flames on Earth, creating a fear of global destruction. To save the world from this calamity, all the deities implored Bhagwan Vishnu. Vishnu realized that Mahadeva’s anger would not subside as long as Sati’s body remained on His shoulder. He released His Sudarshan Chakra, which dismembered Sati’s body into एकावन्न (५१) pieces. The places where these pieces fell on Earth became Shakti Peethas. Sati’s tongue fell in Nepalganj, Nepal, and there, the Shakti Peetha of Bageshwari Devi was established. The darshan (sight) of this Devi enhances intelligence, language, and knowledge. Consequently, thousands of devotees travel to Nepal for her darshan. However, since it is not possible for everyone to visit Nepal for darshan, many sub-peethas (Upapeethas) of the Devi have been established in various places in Bharat. One such Upapeetha, in this tradition, was established in the village of Amba in Jalna district in the year दोन हजार तेरा (२०१३).

This temple is located a short distance from Amba village. A sub-road has been constructed from the main road to reach the temple. Both sides of this road are lined with rows of palm trees. A spacious parking area has been built in front of the temple. In the clean and open courtyard of the temple, excellent seating arrangements have been made for devotees and visitors. Additionally, a Tulsi Vrindavan has been built in the front part of the temple.

The architectural design of this temple comprises a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The entire temple is situated on a Jagati (platform) or Adhishthana (plinth) approximately तीन (३) feet high. As the entrance to the Sabhamandapa is elevated above the courtyard, there are सहा (६) steps leading up to the entrance. The entrance features intricately carved wooden doorframes (dwarashakhas). In the enclosed Sabhamandapa, windows have been provided to ensure ample light and ventilation. For the convenience of devotees, a darshan queue system is in place here. The ceiling (vitana) of the Sabhamandapa, i.e., the inner part of the roof, is adorned with carvings of lotus flowers. On the frontal walls of the Garbhagriha within the Sabhamandapa, there are approximately सहा (६) feet tall portraits of Sai Baba on the left side and Satya Sai Baba on the right side. The doorframes (dwarashakhas) and the lintel (lalatpatti) above the entrance to the Garbhagriha are carved with floral and leaf motifs. The torana (archway) above the entrance features a sculpture of Gajalakshmi. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajra Peetha, is enshrined the Ashtabhuja (eight-armed) Simharudha (lion-mounted) idol of Bageshwari Devi. Adorned with various garments and ornaments, the Devi wears a silver crown on her head. The Devi holds a Trishula (trident), a sword, a Pasha (noose), and an Agnikunda (fire pit) in her hands. One of the Devi’s hands is in the Abhaya Mudra (blessing gesture). There is a Pradakshina Marga (circumambulatory path) on the outer side of the Garbhagriha. The temple roof is surrounded by a decorative parapet (bashingi kathada). The roof of the Garbhagriha features a four-tiered square Dravidian-style shikhara (spire). In each tier of this shikhara, Kuta and Shala structures are arranged in all four directions. At the apex of the shikhara are a Stupika and a Kalasha (finial).

To the right of the Bageshwari Devi Temple, on an elevated platform, stands the Trimbakeshwar Mahadeva Temple. In front of this temple, there is a small Pushkarani (temple tank) filled with lotus flowers. In front of the temple, a Nandi idol is installed on a Vajra Peetha. The pillars at the four corners of this temple are connected to each other by arched toranas. In the center of the temple, a Shivapind (lingam of Shiva) is enshrined on a Vajra Peetha. A brass Nagraj (serpent king) holding a canopy over the Shivapindi and an Abhishek Patra (vessel for pouring water) for the water flow are suspended from the ceiling. The roof of this temple has a dome-shaped shikhara. At the apex of the shikhara are a Stupika and a Kalasha placed upon it. To the left of the temple, similar in design to the Trimbakeshwar Mahadeva Temple, is a Ganesha temple. The Garbhagriha of this temple houses an exquisitely carved Ganesha idol made of black stone. Near the Bageshwari Devi Temple is the famous sugar factory of Partur.

The Sharadiya Navratrotsava is considered the main annual festival of this temple. During this festival, for ten consecutive days, programs such as Shatachandi Yajna, ‘Durgasaptashati’ recitations, Garba dance at night, and Jagaran-Gondhal are organized in the temple. During the festival days, Kanya Pujan is performed from the sixth day onwards.

On Ashtami, the Navachandi Yajna is performed. On Dussehra, Mahaprasada is organized. During this ten-day period, approximately तीस ते चाळीस हजार (३०,००० to ४०,०००) devotees visit the temple for Devi’s darshan and to fulfill their vows. During this celebration, devotees offer sarees, cholis, chunaris, mangalsutras, sweets, and various ornaments to the Devi.

They pray for the happiness, prosperity, and progress of their families. Throughout the year, all festivals and celebrations such as Chaitra Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Mahashivaratri, Shravan Masa, Nagpanchami, Narali Pournima, and Shakambhari Pournima are celebrated in this temple in a traditional manner. The temple is bustling with devotees every Monday, Tuesday, Friday, as well as on Pournima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon) tithis. Devotees can visit for darshan daily from six o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock at night.

Useful Information

• ५ km from Partur Bus Stand
• ५३ km from Jalna
• ST (state transport) and private vehicle facilities available from Partur city
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the vicinity