Binakhambi Ganesh Temple

Kolhapur City, Taluka and District Kolhapur

In the vicinity of the Karveer Nivasini Ambabai Temple, there are shrines dedicated to Kolhapur’s Gramdevata Kapileshwar, as well as Kashi Vishweshwar, Jyotiba, Devi Bhavani, Rankabhairav, and other deities. Among these, the Binakhambi Ganesh Temple is renowned as a religiously and culturally significant shrine. Erected in the latter half of the nineteenth century, this temple is constructed in a distinctive architectural style. Neither the assembly hall (sabhamandap) nor the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) of this temple has a single pillar. It is for this reason that the temple is known by the epithet ‘Binakhambi’ (pillar-less). According to iconographic scholars, the idol of Ganesha here may date back to the twelfth century. 

This temple, famed as the Binakhambi Ganesh Temple, is also known by the name Joshirao Ganapati. Its history recounts that Dajibarao Joshi served as the royal astrologer in the court of Shahaji Maharaj, also known as Buwasaheb Maharaj, of the Kolhapur princely state, during the period from eighteen hundred and twenty-one to eighteen hundred and thirty-seven CE. He was also a poet and composed the treatise ‘Karveer Mahatmya’ during this very period. Ganesha was his tutelary deity. The Siddhivinayaka temple located to the left upon entering through the main gate of the Ambabai Temple, as well as the temple known as Odhyavaracha Ganapati situated on the banks of the Jayanti Nala, were both under his ownership. He himself established this Binakhambi Temple. 

A tale is told in this regard that Joshirao’s mansion was located very close to where the Binakhambi Ganesh Temple stands today. Once, while clearing silt from the well in this mansion, he discovered an idol of Ganesha within it. He consecrated this ancient Ganesh idol right on the well’s edge. At that time, Rajaram Maharaj (the Second) occupied the royal throne of Kolhapur. Following his instructions, Joshirao constructed a temple here and performed the Prana Pratishthapana (consecration ceremony) of this Ganesh idol in the temple in the year eighteen hundred and seventy. 

Built using stone blocks, this temple, measuring twenty feet long and twenty feet wide, is structured with an assembly hall (sabhamandap) and a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). The tall spire (shikhar) above the sanctum sanctorum resembles the spire of the Ambabai Temple. This spire features four small amalakas on all four sides, with a large amalaka situated amidst lotus petals at its center, topped by the pinnacle. The assembly hall of the temple has a flat roof. The roof here is designed in the architectural ‘key-stone’ style, where the roof stones are interlocked. Consequently, the temple did not require pillars for support. The doorway frame of the assembly hall is made of stone, with carved doorposts on both sides. An idol of Ganesha is enshrined at the lalata-bimba (central lintel) of the frame. Inside, a marble idol of a mouse (mushaka) rests on a platform in the center.

The sanctum sanctorum has a carved, arched wooden door. Inside, on a marble pedestal, within a silver shrine (makhar), is a four-foot-tall idol of Ganesha made of black stone. This idol is in the Lalitasana (graceful sitting pose). The idol holds a tusk, an axe (parashu), a noose (pasha), and other attributes in its hands. In August two thousand and twenty-two, approximately fifty kilograms of vermillion (shendoor) that had accumulated on this idol over many years was carefully scraped off. This revealed the original beauty of the idol. Scholars believe that this idol is similar to the Ganesh idol found in the world-renowned Kopeswar Temple in Khidrapur, Shirala Taluka, Kolhapur. 

The management of this temple is currently under the West Maharashtra Devasthan Management Committee. Throughout the year, festivals and celebrations such as Ganesh Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi, Sankashti Chaturthi, and others are observed with great devotion in the temple. There is also a large gathering of devotees every Tuesday. 

Silver Ganapati

Another famous Ganesh shrine in Kolhapur city is the Silver Ganapati Temple, located near Gujari Chowk in Pratibha Nagar, in the central part of Kolhapur. This temple is also known as the Siddhivinayak Mahaganapati Temple and Gujari cha Ganapati. A Ganesha idol made entirely of silver is enshrined in this temple. Situated alongside the main road, this temple is of modern construction and is two-storied. The upper floor is structured with an assembly hall (sabhamandap) and a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). The ground floor houses a large hall. The temple’s spire is made of multi-layered circular forms. The temple has a compound wall on all four sides. The temple’s entrance features intricate carving and traditional ornamentation. Within this assembly hall are the sanctum sanctorum and a circumambulatory path (pradakshina marga) around it. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, there is an exquisitely carved stone idol of Ganesha, with the silver Ganesha enshrined behind it. This east-facing idol is four-armed. It holds an axe (parashu), an elephant goad (ankusha), a modak (sweet dumpling), and a lotus flower in its hands.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, this temple is adorned with attractive decorations. At this time, the idol also appears resplendent with special ornaments and floral arrangements. A large crowd of devotees gathers here for its darshan. Devotees also gather here on Sankashti Chaturthi and every Tuesday. Both the Binakhambi Ganesh and Silver Ganapati temples are considered important in Kolhapur’s cultural history. Devotees who come for the darshan of Ambabai make it a point to visit these temples as well.

Useful Information

• Four kilometers from Kolhapur Railway Station
• Direct ST bus service to Kolhapur from many cities in Maharashtra and Karnataka
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the temple vicinity