Brahmanadev Temple / Vitthal Temple

Nadhavade, Taluka Vaibhavwadi, District Sindhudurg

The village of Nadhavade is situated on the road leading from Talere, a village in Sindhudurg district on the Mumbai–Goa Highway, towards Vaibhavwadi. To the south of this village, at the foothills of Palkhi Hill, amidst a naturally abundant environment, stands the Brahmanadev Temple. Every year, a three-day Akhand Harinam Saptah (continuous chanting of the Lord’s name for seven days) is celebrated here. During the Saptah, the area takes on the festive atmosphere of a yatra (pilgrimage fair). Thousands of devotees from the surrounding five villages attend at this time. The Dahikala Utsav (curd-pot breaking festival) held here is a special feature of this temple. A Dahi Handi (pot of curd) is hung at a height of about eight to nine feet, and devotees are to jump and break it with their heads. This festival has a tradition spanning many years. 

According to the religious history of Brahmanadev, this is a guardian deity. He is also known as ‘Barancha Brahman’ (Brahman of the twelve). This site is under the care of Karhade Brahmins. In the village customs of Konkan, the term-concept of ‘Bara-Pach’ (twelve-five) is extremely important. This term is formed by combining twelve principles and five locations. The structure of every village in Konkan has historically consisted of approximately १२ hamlets. It is said that the twelve principles were formed from the ‘vas’ (share of society) of the communities in these १२ hamlets of the twelve Balutedars (traditional service providers), and when these were combined with the five varnas, meaning the five Mayas, the ‘Bara-Pach’ tradition of village customs was created. In the ‘garhane’ (supplications) offered to deities in Konkan, it is said, ‘Bara Pachache Ganit Ek Kar’ (make the calculation of twelve-five one). It is said that the five here refer to the deities Vishnu, Ganapati, Surya, Devi, and Shiva, while the twelve include the sites of Purvasatta (Purvas of the twelve and Purvas of Maya), Rajasatta (Vitthaladevi or Italai), Gavada, Gango, Khataya (Rampurush or Sutardev), Madval, Jain (Nitkari), Brahman, Bharadi (Bhadrakali or Bhavai), Bela, and Pan. The deity Brahman comes at the eighth position among these.

At one end of Nadhavade village, at the foot of the hill, is the temple of Brahmanadev. This temple is fortified on all sides. Within the fortification is a large arched gateway with a mihrab (ornamental arch). Through this arch, one enters the temple courtyard. To the left and right of the entrance arch, two large platforms have been constructed. During festivals, Mahaprasad (sacred food offering) is distributed to all devotees on these platforms. The entire courtyard is paved. In the courtyard, near the temple entrance, on a platform, there is a Tulsi Vrindavan (basil plant shrine) and local deities. 

The temple comprises a Darshanmandap (viewing hall), a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), an Antaral (antechamber), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with a Patalalinga (underground lingam). From the Darshanmandap, one ascends three steps to enter the Sabhamandap. The Darshanmandap here is open, and the Sabhamandap is semi-open. The Sabhamandap is rectangular and spacious. To its left and right are seating areas for devotees. Marble tiles are laid everywhere here. The pillars in the Sabhamandap, constructed between these seating areas, are square at the bottom. From the ‘palgai’ (capital), the lower part of the mandap’s arches begins. These pillars are connected to each other by these arches. In keeping with the natural environment of Konkan, the roof of the Sabhamandap, that is, the ‘vitan’ (ceiling), is sloped. From the Sabhamandap, one enters the Antaral, and from the Antaral, into the Garbhagriha. In the Garbhagriha, in a depressed area about two to two and a half feet deep, is the Swayambhu (self-manifested) unhewn stone of Brahmanadev. It is also referred to as a Lingam. An Abhishekpatra (vessel for ritual anointing) and brass bells are hung above it. 

There is a small shikhara (spire) on the Darshanmandap of the temple, while the Garbhagriha has a large, tall shikhara that tapers upwards. This shikhara on the Garbhagriha is of the Urushringa type, meaning it has replicas of the same shikhara placed one above the other. It is topped with a two-tiered Amalaka (finial) and a brass Kalasha (pot-shaped finial). Behind the temple is a square laterite stone tank. This tank holds water throughout all twelve months. Harinam Saptah or other religious programs are held at the Brahmanadev Temple. At such times, Mahaprasad is distributed on a large scale. The villagers have made special arrangements for preparing this Mahaprasad. For this purpose, a large kitchen has been built within the temple premises.

In Nadhavade village, at some distance from the Brahmanadev Temple, in the central part of the village, is the ancient Vitthal-Rukmini Temple. A unique feature of this temple is a water tank made of laterite stone in front of it. It is said that the water in this tank flows from beneath the feet of Vitthal-Rukmini. This water flows continuously throughout all twelve months. In front of this temple, beneath a Peepal tree, there is a small temple dedicated to Pundalika. A grand Akhand Harinam Saptah is celebrated here on Kartik Ekadashi. On the day of Kartik Ekadashi, the festival of Tulsi Vivah (marriage of Tulsi plant) is celebrated in this temple. At this time, devotees from here who have visited Pandharpur for the darshan (sacred viewing) of Vitthal in the past year are given a place of honor. First, these devotees come to the Vitthal-Rakhumai Temple. A welcoming procession (dindi) is taken out for them at this time. 

Useful Information

• ११ km from Vaibhavwadi, and ५७ km from Sindhudurg
• ST (state transport) bus facility from Vaibhavwadi, Kharepatan
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities in the vicinity