Bhandara Hill

Dehu, Haveli Taluka, Pune District

The village of Dehu, nestled on the banks of the Indrayani River, is renowned because of Sant Tukaram Maharaj. The Bhandara Hill, near this very village of Dehu, also holds a unique significance, for it was on this hill that Tukaram Maharaj, at the tender age of twenty, experienced his first divine vision of Panduranga. It is said that most of his abhangas were composed here, and his sacred Gaatha also took shape in this very place.

Bhandara Hill is approximately five kilometres from Dehu. It is said that Jijabai, the revered wife of Sant Tukaram Maharaj, would come here searching for her husband, who had renounced worldly life and immersed himself in spiritual practice, bringing him his meal. As she searched for Tukaram Maharaj, a thorn from a babhul tree pierced Jijabai’s foot. The pain shot up to her head, and she could no longer walk. In that remote wilderness, there was no one to offer help. At such a moment, a young cowherd came to her aid. He came and very easily removed the thorn embedded in her foot. It is believed that Śrī Paṇḍuraṅga Himself came in the guise of a cowherd and removed the thorn from her foot. A temple depicting this very incident has also been erected on the hill. The temple of Tukārām Mahārāj is also present there.

When Sant Tukaram would come here, the path was not so easy. Tukaram Maharaj would rise in the early hours of dawn and go there to perform his spiritual practices, bhajans, writing, and contemplation. It is believed that in that atmosphere, amidst the embrace of nature, Tukaram Maharaj attained a state of avikalpa samadhi, through which he had a direct darshan of Shri Vitthal.

Many devotees who come for the darshan of Sant Tukaram Maharaj in Dehu Gaon and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj in Alandi also visit Bhandara Dongar for darshan. There is an excellent road from the base of Bhandara Dongar up to the temple. Devotees from every corner of the state come here for Gatha Parayan. Many religious ceremonies are held on Bhandara Dongar. All devotees and Warkaris who come here are offered Bhandara, which is Mahaprasad, during the Saptah period.

Regarding this sacred place, the legend goes that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came here to seek the darshan of Sant Tukaram Maharaj. He was accompanied by hundreds of Mavale. For all these Mavale, Sant Tukaram Maharaj offered two morsels each from the provisions (shidoori) that his wife, Jijai, had packed for him, as prasad. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and hundreds of Mavale partook of this prasad to their heart’s content and were fully satisfied, yet the store of Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s shidoori remained undiminished. It was as if Sant Tukaram Maharaj had opened a veritable storehouse of food for the Mavale at that time. Based on this very narrative, it is said that food never runs short on this hill. Therefore, it is recounted that this hill was named ‘Bhandara’ (storehouse). Moreover, it was here that Sant Tukaram Maharaj unveiled a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom to the world through his sacred texts, thereby giving this hill a profound and different meaning to its name.

When the winding ghat road ascending Bhandara Hill reaches its summit, the vista of nature unfolding before one’s eyes, the cool breeze one experiences, and the spiritual ambience transport one to an altogether different realm. Here stands a temple dedicated to Sant Tukaram Maharaj, lovingly cared for by a few devoted Varkaris. Within the temple, one finds sacred murtis of Tukaram Maharaj, Shri Vitthal-Rakhumai, Shri Ganapati, and a revered Shivling. The serene atmosphere atop the hill bestows new energy upon the heart and mind.

As Bhandara Hill has been included in the pilgrimage site development plan, various development works are underway here. A magnificent temple dedicated to Tukoba is taking shape at Bhandara Hill. It features distinctive carvings depicting ten episodes from Tukoba’s life.

Helpful Information:

• At a distance of five kilometres from the Tukaram Mandir in Dehu
• Many Warkaris undertake a walking pilgrimage from Dehu to Bhandara Hill.
• Private vehicles may proceed up to the temple.
• Devotee Accommodation and Prasāda Facilities