Dnyaneshwar Temple (Paisa Khamb)

Nevasa, Taluka Nevasa, District Ahilyanagar

During the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini and slaid the demon Rahu. According to the Brahma Purana, the stream formed by the drops of nectar (Amrit) spilled from Rahu’s trunk gave rise to the Pravara River. Nevasa, situated on the banks of this sacred ‘Amritvahini’ Pravara River, is revered as a prominent spiritual seat of the Varkari or Bhagavat Dharma. The historic pillar in a temple at Nevasa against which Sant Dnyaneshwar leaned in the 13th century while expounding the *Bhavartha Deepika* is the famous Paisa Khamb, and *Bhavartha Deepika* is the immortal Marathi spiritual masterpiece, Dnyaneshwari!

According to descriptions in various texts, as the children of a sanyasi (renunciate), the siblings Nivruttinath, Dnyaneshwar, Sopan, and Muktabai faced constant ostracization from society. Anxious about their children’s future, Vitthalpant and Rukhminibai appealed to the learned Brahmins (Brahmavrinda) of Alandi to purify their family; however, they were advised to approach the holy seat of Paithan. The religious assembly at Paithan decreed that Vitthalpant and Rukhminibai must undergo capital penance (give up their lives) as atonement. Accordingly, leaving their four young children behind, they departed for Prayag to end their lives.

As the eldest brother, Nivruttinath once again requested the Alandi Brahmins to perform their sacred thread ceremony (Vratabandha) and grant them a certificate of purification (Shuddhipatra); but they were directed back to Paithan. When Nivrutti, Dnyaneshwar, Sopan, and Muktabai went to the religious assembly (Dharmasabha) in Paithan seeking the Shuddhipatra, the scholars there insulted them. One religious scholar challenged Dnyaneshwar to prove that the soul dwelling within him was the same as that in all living beings. Sant Dnyaneshwar accepted the challenge and, right in the middle of the assembly, made a male buffalo recite the sacred Omkara (Rigveda). Astonished by this divine miracle of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, all the scholars bowed their heads in humility and granted the purification certificate to Dnyaneshwar and his siblings.

Taking the buffalo along with them, Dnyaneshwar and his siblings journeyed from Paithan toward Alandi and arrived at Nevasa, where they were deeply captivated by the serene environment. The four siblings stayed at the ancient Karvireshwar Temple here. His guru and elder brother, Nivruttinath, commanded Dnyaneshwar to compose a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita (originally in Sanskrit) in lucid Marathi so that the common populace could comprehend it. Reverently obeying his Guru’s command, Sant Dnyaneshwar leaned against a pillar in the Karvireshwar Temple and composed 9,000 Ovis (verses) elucidating the 700 Shlokas of the Gita. Sant Dnyandev recited this divine commentary to Sachchidananda Baba Kulkarni of Nevasa, who faithfully transcribed it. His elder brother and Guru Nivruttinath, along with the other siblings, would sit here to listen to the nectarine commentary flowing from Dnyaneshwar’s lips. Regarding the divine writing of Dnyaneshwari done here, it is mentioned in verse 1810 of the 18th chapter of Dnyaneshwari –

In the Shake year twelve hundred and twelve, Dnyaneshwar composed this commentary;
With deep reverence, Sachchidananda Baba became its scribe.

The Dnyaneshwari is considered the supreme text in the *Prasthanatrayi* (the holy trinity of scriptures) of the Varkari sect. (The Prasthanatrayi comprises the Dnyaneshwari, Eknathi Bhagavata, and Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s Abhangagatha.) It is said that the Karvireshwar Temple remained intact until the 15th century. Thereafter, the structure fell into ruin, yet the holy pillar preserved its sacred presence. Shri Pardeshi of Jalke Khurd first constructed a modest shrine around this holy pillar in 1901. Later in 1917, Krishnaji Trimbak Joshi renovated the temple. Between 1949 and 1963, the grand construction of the present Dnyaneshwar Temple was executed under the guidance of Bansi Maharaj Tambe. The temple was built enclosing the original stone pillar from the ancient Karvireshwar Temple. The pillar is square at the top and bottom, and cylindrical in the center. This pillar is revered as the Paisa Khamb.


The Dnyaneshwar Temple premises cover an area of about five acres, surrounded by a protective fortification wall. The temple architecture includes a basement (Talghar), Darshan Mandap, Sabha Mandap, and the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha). The Paisa Khamb situated at the center of the sanctum sanctorum is also lovingly known as ‘Gnanoba’s Khamb’. Ancient inscriptions and carvings of the Sun and Moon are engraved upon this pillar. In the basement, special arrangements have been made for devotees to perform the ritual continuous recitation (Parayan) of the Dnyaneshwari. A grand annual fair (Yatra) takes place here from Phalguna Vadya Ekadashi to Trayodashi. Additionally, celebrations such as Sant Dnyaneshwar’s birth anniversary, the death anniversary (Punyatithi) of Bansi Maharaj, and Tukaram Beej are grandly observed here. The Dindis (devotional walking processions) passing through Marathwada halt here for a day. The temple trust provides lodging facilities (Bhakta Niwas) for pilgrims. Devotees can take Darshan of the sacred Paisa Khamb in the temple from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.


Useful Information:

• 1.5 km from Nevasa Bus Stand,
• 56 km from Ahilyanagar
• Bus services available from Ahilyanagar and Shirdi
• Private vehicles can reach directly up to the temple parking lot
• Multiple options available nearby for accommodation and refreshments