Bhuvaneshwari Mandir

Bhuvaneshwari Wadi, Bhilawadi, Taluka Palus, District Sangli

The entire Earth is considered one Bhuvan, and the Divine Mother who presides over this Bhuvan, Devi Bhuvaneshwari, is the bestower of welfare upon the world. It is believed that the very cycle of this world continues through Her divine power. While Her most renowned temple is in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, there are many Bhuvaneshwari Devi temples across our sacred land. Among these is an ancient temple of Devi Bhuvaneshwari, nestled on the banks of the Krishna River in Bhilawadi village. It is said to be the original seat of the Devi. Devotees firmly believe that this awakened Devi fulfills their vows.

This temple finds mention in the seventeenth chapter of the ‘Gurucharitra’, composed by Saraswati Gangadhar. According to the narrative within, an orphaned, unlettered boy resided in Karveer Nagara. Everyone mocked him, saying, ‘Born into this world, you have become useless like a pig.’ Finally, exasperated, he left the village and arrived at ‘Bhillawadi’. There, he ‘undertook a fast at the doorstep of Devi Bhuvaneshwari’. After three days, as he had not received the Devi’s grace, the boy ‘immediately severed his own tongue and offered it at the Devi’s feet’. Thereafter, he resolved in his heart that if the Devi still neglected him, he would offer his head at Her feet. That night, he had a dream. In it, the Devi instructed him to go to the western bank of the Krishna River. There, ‘beneath an Audumbar tree, resides a great ascetic, a powerful sage, an incarnation of Lord Chandramauli, who will fulfill your desires.’ 

He immediately swam to the opposite bank of the river. There, he placed his head at the feet of Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Swami, who was seated in deep meditation. The Swami then placed His hand on the boy’s head and bestowed His grace. The boy attained all knowledge, and his severed tongue was restored to its original state. The temple of Devi Bhuvaneshwari, whom the boy had prayed to, is located in Bhuvaneshwari Wadi, close to Bhilawadi village. This temple, built in the Hemadpanti architectural style, is said to be approximately eight hundred years old.

An enclosing wall surrounds the Devi’s temple. In front of the temple are two stone platforms, upon which stand three-tiered circular Deepmalas (lamp towers). The number of lamp-holders in these Deepmalas is relatively few, but they are adorned with intricate relief sculptures of various animals and human figures. In the center of both Deepmalas is a Tulasi Vrindavan, and next to it, a small temple dedicated to Maruti. Inside this temple is a stone idol of Maruti, smeared with vermilion. 

Further on is the open-air Sabhamandap (assembly hall) of the Bhuvaneshwari Temple. Within the Sabhamandap, there are two rows, each with four square pillars on either side, and all these pillars are connected by arched gateways. Beyond this is the enclosed Sabhamandap of the original temple. This ancient Sabhamandap is situated at a higher level than the recently constructed modern Sabhamandap. One enters this enclosed Sabhamandap by ascending five steps. On the front wall of the Sabhamandap, Devakoshthakas (niches for deities) are present on both sides of the entrance. Inside the Sabhamandap, there are four rows, each with five intricately carved stone pillars. The pillars in the outer rows are integrated into the walls. The pillars are square and wider at the base. In their upper sections, they are sculpted into various geometric shapes such as hexagonal, square, and circular. 

Further ahead is the entrance to the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), which has five Dwarsakhas (door jambs). The Dwarsakhas feature faint carvings of leaves and flowers. A Kirtimukha adorns the Mandaraka (lintel), and an idol of Ganapati is placed on the Lalatabimba (central projection). An intricately carved Torana (decorative archway) is sculpted above the Lalatapatti (forehead band). To the right of the entrance is an idol of Kedarnath. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha (diamond pedestal), stands a four-armed black stone idol of Devi Bhuvaneshwari, approximately four and a half feet tall. The Devi holds a conch, discus, sword, and trident in Her hands, and She stands with Her foot placed upon a demon. The Devi is adorned with a crown on Her head, rich garments, and ornaments. A silver Panchaphani Naga (five-headed serpent) holds a canopy over the Devi’s head. Behind the idol, in the silver intricately carved Prabhavali (aura), there are Vyala (mythical beasts) on both sides and a Kirtimukha in the center at the top. 

The temple roof features a parapet on all four sides and two Shikharas (spires) in the center. The square Shikhara on the side of the ancient Sabhamandap’s entrance has Devakoshthakas on all four sides, containing idols of deities. At the apex of the Shikhara is an Amalaka, topped with a Kalasha (finial). On the roof of the Garbhagriha, the square Shikharas at all four corners have Devakoshthakas on all four sides, containing idols of various deities. Above them are Amalakas and Kalashas. In the center is the main Shikhara, consisting of five tiers. The intricately carved walls on all four sides of the Shikhara feature Devakoshthakas with various idols. The Devakoshthakas in the fourth tier are topped with Shikharas and Kalashas. In the fifth tier of the main Shikhara, there is an Amalaka, topped with a Kalasha and a Dhwajapataka (flag).

On one side of the courtyard stands a school building. In front of the Bhuvaneshwari Temple is the Kalabhairava Temple, dedicated to the Devi’s protector. In the paved Sabhamandap, there is a brass tortoise, and in the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha, is a black stone idol of Kalabhairava. The temple roof features a Shikhara that emerges from a lotus flower motif and tapers upwards. At the apex of this Shikhara is an Amalaka, topped with a Kalasha. Adjacent to the Bhuvaneshwari Temple, on the left side, are the Mahadev and Vitthal-Rakhumai Temples.

The annual Jatrotsava (fair festival) of the Devi is celebrated with great enthusiasm on Pausha Pournima. Festivals such as Chaitra Navratra, Sharadiya Navratrotsava, and Mahashivaratri are celebrated in the temple. During the Jatrotsava, Mahaprasada is arranged for the devotees. Thousands of devotees from across the state come for the Devi’s Darshan and to fulfill their vows during all these festivals. Devotees visiting the Audumbar shrine across the Krishna River make it a point to visit this temple and receive the blessings of Devi Bhuvaneshwari.

Useful Information

• Thirteen kilometers from Palus, and twenty-six kilometers from Sangli.
• ST bus facility available from Palus and Sangli.
• Boat facility available from Shri Kshetra Audumbar.
• Private vehicles can reach the temple.
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity.
• Contact: Nagesh Gurav, Mobile: ९८६०८४४२२८