Bembaleśvara Mahādeva Mandira

Jalgaon Jamod, Taluka Jalgaon Jamod, District Bulḍāṇā

The ancient Pāṇḍava-era Bembaleśvara Mahādeva Mandira is gracefully situated in Jalgaon Jamod, nestled at the foothills of the Sātpuḍā mountain range. Adjacent to this sacred shrine is a kuṇḍa (sacred pond) created by Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu, by striking an arrow into the earth. Due to the profound faith of countless devotees from the surrounding region in the awakened Śivaliṅga within this ancient temple, there is a constant flow of pilgrims here. During Mahāśivarātri, the area becomes vibrant with the throngs of devotees. In the holy month of Śrāvaṇa, the Śivaliṅga here is bathed with the sacred waters of the Payoṣṇī (Pūrṇā) River, accompanied by the resounding chants of ‘Hara Hara Mahādeva’.

Although the official name of this ancient temple is Nārāyaṇeśvara, it is popularly known among the people by the special name Bembaleśvara. The reason behind this unique appellation is said to be that the Śivaliṅga here is not at the usual ground level but is located in a specific deep, hollow area. The śāluṅkā (base) of this Śivaliṅga is deep and appears like a circular cavity. Just as the navel or ‘bembi’ part of the human body is central and deep, so too is the placement of this Śivaliṅga. Due to this distinctive ‘bembi’-like shape, the temple began to be referred to as ‘Bembaleśvara’ in the local dialect. Over time, this name became more prevalent, and today it is famous throughout the district as Bembaleśvara.

The word ‘Jalgaon’ means ‘village of water’. This name became common due to the water sources around the city. Jamod is adjacent to this village. While Mughal Empress Mumtāz Mahal was travelling with military campaigns, she began to suffer from complications during her pregnancy. She passed away near Burhāṇpur, close to Jalgaon Jamod. Thereafter, the Mughals named this village ‘Jā-e-Maut’, which in Persian meant ‘place of death’. Locals began to call it ‘Jā-Maut’ or ‘Jā-Mod’. Later, the name Jamod became established. Being cradled in the Sātpuḍā mountain range, Jalgaon Jamod is also known as Sātpuḍā Nagari. There are many ancient temples in this area. Among them, the Bembaleśvara Mahādeva Mandira is said to have been built during the Yādava dynasty.

The temple premises are peaceful and serene. It is believed that the Pāṇḍavas came to this area during their period of incognito exile. At that time, seeking water, Arjuna struck an arrow to the south of this temple, creating a kuṇḍa. Over time, this Śiva temple has been renovated many times. The recent renovation has given the temple its current form. One enters the courtyard through the entrance in the compound wall surrounding the temple. The stone-paved courtyard has rooms resembling a veranda. To the south of the courtyard is the kuṇḍa. There are steps leading down into this kuṇḍa. Near the kuṇḍa is the shrine of Āsarā Mātā.

The temple’s structure consists of a stone-built sabhāmaṇḍapa (assembly hall) and a garbhagṛha (sanctum sanctorum). The sabhāmaṇḍapa has many stone pillars, and Nandi is seated in front of the garbhagṛha. Nearby is a large triśūla (trident). In the niches near the garbhagṛha are shrines to Gaṇeśa and Hanumāna. A murti of Gaṇeśa is carved on the lalāṭabimba (lintel) of the garbhagṛha entrance. One must descend a few steps to enter the garbhagṛha. In the marble-paved garbhagṛha, in a hollow space within a large śāluṅkā, rests the Śivaliṅga of Bembaleśvara Mahādeva. There is also a shrine to Pārvatī Mātā in the garbhagṛha.

The walls of the garbhagṛha are adorned with exquisite carvings, and some murtis are also sculpted here. The Bembaleśvara Mandira has a beautiful śikhara (spire). Near the roof of the śikhara is a bāśiṅgī kaṭhaḍā (decorative parapet), and on it are miniature replicas of the śikhara on all four sides. The main śikhara in the center has three tiers. The first and second tiers feature floral designs. Mūrtis are carved on the tier above them. On the dome-shaped śikhara above are an āmalaka (finial) and a kalaśa (pot-shaped ornament).

Daily pūjā and archana (worship rituals) are performed in this temple. Many devotees from the taluka come here for darśana. On the day of Mahāśivarātri, the area transforms into a fair. Devotees queue up from morning to have darśana of Bembaleśvara Mahādeva.

On the occasion of this festival, religious programs such as kīrtana and bhajana are organized here. On the second day of Mahāśivarātri, mahāprasāda is distributed to the devotees.

Every Monday in the month of Śrāvaṇa, many devotees come here for darśana. In this month, mahā-āratī is performed in the temple in the morning and evening, and every Monday, the office bearers of the local Śivabhakta Maṇḍala bring water from the Pūrṇā River in kāvaḍīs (carrying poles) and perform jalābhiṣeka on Bembaleśvara Mahādeva. Various religious programs are also held by the institution during this month.

Useful Information:

• १ km from Jalgaon Jamod Bus Stand
• ९३ km from Bulḍāṇā
• ST bus service available to Jalgaon Jamod from many cities in the district
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity