Changdev Maharaj Temple

Velhane, Taluka Dhule, District Dhule

The tradition of saints and Sufis in India has been ongoing since ancient times. Sages and saints who dedicated their lives to uplifting the lives of the common people attained the status of divinity here. Temples dedicated to them were built in many places. Their Samadhi sites became sources of faith and strength. Among these, the Changdev Maharaj Temple in Velhane, located in the Dhule taluka, is an important pilgrimage site and a place of faith for thousands of devotees. A unique feature of this shrine, which stands as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, is that Changdev Maharaj is worshipped by Muslim brethren here under the name Chang Sultan.

A legend is told about Changdev Maharaj that the five Pandavas of the Mahabharata took incarnation in the Kali Yuga. Among them, Arjuna took the form of Changdev Maharaj to impart the teachings of the Gita to the common people. On the day of Shravan Shuddha Chaturthi, Changdev manifested as a Swayambhu (self-manifested) deity by breaking through a stone. There is also a story that Changdev lived in Hastinapur under the name Sakhli Sultan. There, he liberated two brothers named Asu and Kasu. Changdev, the deity of the Gavli-Dhangar community, is also worshipped by the local Muslim community. The disciples of Changdev, namely Nimbaba Bhagat, Mahaduba Bhagat, Tatoba Bhagat, Rajaba Bhagat, and Dashrathba Bhagat of Velhane village, continued his work of public welfare and attained Sanjeevan Samadhi within their Guru’s temple.

According to the villagers, the Changdev Maharaj shrine is about 700 years old. As per the records here, the current large temple was built in the year 1902. It was subsequently renovated in the year 2006. In the open ground in front of the temple entrance, on the right side, is the Yajna Kund, There is a carved marble Tulsi Vrindavan and a stone idol of the local deity, adorned with vermilion, placed on a Vajrapitha to the left. The temple is surrounded by a sturdy perimeter wall. On the entrance gate within the perimeter wall, there are lamp niches and lotus flower carvings on square pillars on both sides. These two pillars are connected by an arched gateway. There is a Nagarkhana on the upper floor of the two-story entrance. On the roof of the Nagarkhana, there is a chariot drawn by four horses. In front of the entrance, there are safety railings on both sides. Under the roof above them are sculptures of white horses. From inside this entrance, there are stairs to access the perimeter wall.

This temple, situated on a high plinth in the courtyard, consists of a Mukhamandapa (front porch), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). On both sides of the stairs of the Mukhamandapa, there are circular carved pillars on square bases. The pillars have lotuses at the base and the top. The middle section features vertical fluted carvings. These two pillars are connected by a carved arched gateway. The arch is adorned with leaf and floral vine carvings. From here, one proceeds to the Sabhamandapa and further to the entrance of the Garbhagriha. On both sides of the entrance are two circular carved pillars topped by an arch. In the center of the arch is an auspicious Kalash. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha on the Lalatabimba (lintel). On both sides of the pillars are mace-bearing Dwarapalas (gatekeepers), with lamp niches above them. In the Devakoshthas (wall niches) beside both Dwarapalas are idols of local deities. Near the Devakoshtha on the right side is a Shivpindi. The front wall of the Garbhagriha features intricate carvings.

The enclosed Garbhagriha has a window for ventilation and doors on the right and left sides to exit from the sanctum. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha, are five stone idols representing the five Pandavas. Among them is a tall stone idol of Changdev Maharaj. The bindi, nose, eyebrows, lips, and ornaments around the neck of the idol are made of silver. Near this Vajrapitha is a Shivpindi.

On the ceiling of the Mukhamandapa, there is an idol of Lahuji Sadhu. On the parapet of the temple roof, there are idols of Shri Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Hanuman on the right side, and Shri Dattatreya on the left side. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum features a five-tiered Shikhara. Each of the first four tiers contains twelve niches, each housing idols of various deities. The fifth tier features an Amalaka, topped with a Kalasha and a flag. On both sides of the main Shikhara, there are smaller Shikharas with three tiers each. There are a total of 151 Kalashas on these Shikharas.

An annual three-day fair is celebrated at the temple from Shravan Shuddha Trayodashi to Purnima. On the day of Trayodashi, five poles are installed in the name of the five Pandavas. On the day of Shravan Shuddha Chaturthi, which marks the incarnation day of Changdeva, these poles are taken out in a procession through the village with music and are later installed near the temple outside the village. At this time, thousands of Hindu and Muslim devotees, as well as traditional healers and spiritual practitioners from across Khandesh, come to seek the blessings of the deity. Programs such as invoking the divine spirit, singing traditional verses that narrate the stories of the deity to keep the night awake, bhajans, kirtans, discourses, and musical performances are organized during this time.

Useful Information

• 22 km from Dhule city
• ST bus service available from Dhule
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area
• No accommodation or breakfast facilities available in the vicinity