Jagdamba Devi Temple

Saw, Taluka Buldhana, District Buldhana

Nestled in the lap of the Ajanta mountain ranges and on the banks of the Painganga River, the Jagdamba Devi Temple at Saw is a major center of faith in Vidarbha. This temple is renowned among devotees as the ‘Prati Tuljapur of Vidarbha’. After the original Hemadpanti-style temple was washed away in the devastating floods of 1975, a new temple was constructed at a safe location in 1985. Graced with the status of a ‘B’ Grade Pilgrimage Centre by the State Government, this temple enshrines a serene stone idol of Mata Jagdamba. The Chaitra Purnima Yatra, the Vagdi procession, and 1,500 Nandadeeps burning continuously during the festival period since 2014 are the main features of this temple.

According to mythological references, this region was part of the ancient kingdom of Vidarbha, which finds mention in the Mahabharata. In the 3rd century BCE, during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire existed here, leading to the spread of Buddhist culture during that era. In the subsequent periods, prominent dynasties such as the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and Yadavas ruled over this region. In particular, the creation of the Ajanta Caves during the Vakataka period significantly influenced the artistic heritage of this entire region. The original temple at Saw is associated with the Yadava dynasty of the 12th to 13th century.

The Painganga River is the main lifeline of this region and flows close to the temple. The original temple was located right in the riverbed. In 1975, severe flooding in the Painganga River caused immense damage to the temple. The original Hemadpanti temple in the riverbed was submerged under floodwaters, and heavy wooden logs swept along by the current struck and damaged the stone structure. Following this calamity, the villagers decided to relocate the temple to protect the sacred idol and its historical architecture. The present temple has been built on an elevated site slightly away from the riverbed. The ruins of the ancient temple can still be seen along the riverbank today.

This temple of Jagdamba Devi is situated on the outskirts of the village, adjacent to the main road. One enters the temple’s mandap through the entrance in the compound wall surrounding the temple. In front of this mandap stands a Deepstambha. Sculptures of the lion and tiger, the divine mounts of the Goddess, are featured here. A tin roof has been erected over the mandap for the convenience of devotees. Beautiful paintings of various deities and saints adorn the lower portions of the mandap walls. Within the sabhamandap, there are shrines dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Lord Shri Ram, Lakshmana, and Sita. There is also a small Shiva shrine dedicated to Durgeshwar Mahadev here. In front of the Shiva temple stands a statue of Nandi, and the Shivlinga is enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. An image of Mata Saptashrungi is also present in the sabhamandap. At the center of the mandap, on an elevated level, lies the sacred sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, placed upon a large rectangular Vajrapeetha within a decorative canopy, resides the serene idol of the Goddess carved in black stone. Adorned in exquisite garments and ornaments, the Goddess features divine eyes and a nose ring made of gold. A silver canopy sways above the idol.

A beautiful spire crowns the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. In the courtyard, near a sacred triad of Peepal, Banyan, and Neem trees, stands an idol of Lord Shiva. A small Shivlinga and an idol of Lord Ganesha are also present here. The original shrine of the Goddess lies near a Kahu tree beside the flowing Painganga riverbed, where a small temple has been constructed. Outside this shrine stands an idol of Lord Shiva in a meditative posture.

As the Goddess is believed to be a manifestation of Tuljapur’s Goddess, it is believed that vows made to Tuljapur Devi can be fulfilled here. She is also referred to as ‘Gyanma’, which means the Goddess of Knowledge. As She is the Kuldevi of many families, newlywed couples visit the temple to seek Her divine blessings after auspicious occasions like weddings. Renowned as the fulfiller of prayers, Mata Jagdamba attracts devotees not only from Buldhana district but from across Vidarbha and Marathwada. For the accommodation of devotees traveling from afar, a two-storey Bhakta Niwas has been constructed.

A grand fair is held on Chaitra Purnima, during which the temple premises bustle with large crowds of devotees. On this day, the ‘Vagdi procession’ is taken out through the village. A Vagdi is a heavy wooden chariot. On the morning of the procession, ritualistic worship of this Vagdi is performed. Thereafter, amidst chants praising the Goddess and the showering of gulal, devotees begin pulling this heavy wooden chariot. Hundreds of devotees exert their strength to pull the Vagdi. People from across Buldhana district and the entire Vidarbha region gather to witness this grand procession as it moves along the main village road with music. Participating in this procession and helping pull the chariot is considered a highly meritorious act. On the following day, there is a tradition of presenting the Suryanarayana performance in front of the temple. During the Sharadiya Navratri festival, a vast gathering of devotees floods the temple on all nine days. Various religious programs are organized here during this period. The temple premises house two Nandadeep Grihas, where over 1,500 continuous lamps burn during the festival period, a tradition ongoing since 2014.

Useful Information

• 8 km from Buldhana
• MSRTC bus and private vehicle facilities available from Buldhana
• Private vehicles can reach right up to the temple
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity