Jagdamba Mata Temple

Waghrul, Taluka & District Jalna

There are many historical and spiritual sites in the Jalna district of Maharashtra. Among these, the Shri Jagdamba Mata Temple in Waghrul is considered to be of special importance. Situated on the border of Marathwada and Vidarbha, this temple is regarded as a significant landmark of the region’s rich history and culture. Nestled in the lap of a picturesque hill, this temple offers the divine sight of two powerful goddesses, Jagdamba Mata and Renuka Mata, in one place. This site has a history spanning nearly 275 years. Known as a ‘Jagrut’ (awakened) deity that provided courage during times of struggle, the village has come to be known as ‘Deviche Waghrul’ (Waghrul of the Goddess).

The village of Waghrul in Jalna district is considered highly significant from political, geographical, and spiritual perspectives. Situated on the border of Marathwada and Vidarbha, this village holds a rich historical legacy. According to historical records, there was a military base here during the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which highlights the strategic importance of this location. Furthermore, during the Marathwada Liberation Struggle, a major conflict against the Nizam’s army took place in the valley near this village on September 17, 1948. Located in such glorious soil, the village of Waghrul and its surrounding areas are home to many ancient temples. The ancient temple of Shri Jagdamba Devi is situated on the summit of a hill near the village. In this temple, the idols of both Goddesses, Renuka Mata and Jagdamba Mata, are installed on a single pedestal (Vajrapeetha). It is the firm belief of the devotees that the deities here are ‘Jagrut’ and grant the wishes of those who pray with sincerity.

Evidence of the temple’s antiquity is found in an ancient well located in the village. An inscription is carved on this well dating back to Shaka 1684, which corresponds to the year 1762 CE. It is estimated that the temple on the hill was likely constructed during this same period. Villagers claim that the original temple in the village is even older and more ancient than the one on the hill. A major renovation of this temple was carried out in the year 1998. The legend regarding the establishment of the temple states that, previously, Jagdamba Devi resided in a temple in the central part of the village. However, due to certain reasons, the sanctity of that place began to diminish. At that time, the Goddess appeared in the priest’s dream and gave a divine vision. She commanded that at sunrise, she should be placed in a cart and taken towards the hill, and that she should be installed at the exact spot where the wheel of the cart would break. Following the divine vision, a cart was prepared the next day, and the stone idol of the Goddess was placed in it and taken towards the hill. Upon reaching the hilltop, the cart’s wheel broke at a specific spot, and the temple was built at that very location. While installing Jagdamba Devi here, the ‘Taandala’ (aniconic stone form) of Renuka Devi was also installed beside her.

A paved road has now been constructed to reach this temple located on the hilltop, a short distance from Waghrul village. Right in front of the temple, a large parking area is available under the shade of dense trees. In the temple premises, there is an ancient lamp tower (Deepmal) and seating arrangements for devotees at various places. The temple complex includes smaller shrines of local deities, a water station for travelers, and a large hall for various cultural programs. The temple is surrounded by a fortification wall on all four sides. There is a simple welcome arch at the entrance of the temple. The main courtyard of the temple is slightly elevated from the road level, requiring one to climb three steps from the entrance. In the center of these steps, there is a beautiful sculpture of a lion on a pedestal. Upon entering the courtyard, a small temple is visible on the right side. This temple houses a stone idol of a local deity smeared with vermilion. The roof of this small temple has a circular dome-like spire (Shikhara), and a golden finial (Kalash) is mounted on the Amalaka above it.

A major renovation of the temple was carried out in 1998. During this time, a two-story assembly hall (Sabhamandap) was constructed in the front part of the temple. The main structure of the temple is divided into two parts: the assembly hall and the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). The entire temple stands on a platform about two feet high. The entrance to the assembly hall has three steps and is fitted with ornate wooden doors. Upon entering the assembly hall, one sees two rows of four circular pillars each. These pillars support sturdy beams. The entire roof of the assembly hall rests on these beams and walls. There is a balcony on the second floor of this roof, and the pillars above it also support a roof. Brass bells are hung from this roof. This assembly hall is enclosed but has windows for light and ventilation. To manage the crowd of devotees, steel railings have been installed in the assembly hall to organize queues.

Ahead of the assembly hall is the ancient sanctum sanctorum, built of stone in the Hemadpanti architectural style. In the sanctum, on a pedestal, is the radiant black stone idol of Jagdamba Devi in the form of the eight-armed Mahishasura Mardini. The Goddess is mounted on a lion and holds various weapons in her hands. The idol depicts the scene where the Goddess strikes the demon fallen on the ground with a spear. This new idol was consecrated during the 1998 renovation. Right next to the idol of Jagdamba Devi is the vermilion-smeared stone idol of Renuka Devi in the form of a ‘Taandala’. Adorned with various garments and ornaments, the Goddesses wear beautiful silver crowns on their heads. On the right side of the pedestal, there is a brass lion sculpture and a peacock feather fan. There is also a sleeping couch (Shayanamanchak) for the Goddess in the sanctum. The ceiling of the sanctum is octagonal, with a wheel design carved in the center.

There is a circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) outside the sanctum sanctorum. For this path, two separate doors are provided on the right and left sides of the sanctum to exit the temple. There is a staircase from the outside of the assembly hall to go to the upper roof. A railing has been built on all four sides of the assembly hall’s roof for safety. The roof of the sanctum has a three-tiered square spire. In each tier of the spire, there are niches (Devakoshtakas) on all four sides. At the very top of the spire, there are two Amalakas placed one above the other, topped with a finial and a religious flag (Dharmadhwaj). Near this main temple, there is also an ancient Hanuman temple.

At the foothills of the mountain in the village of Waghrul stands an ancient Shiva temple built in the Hemadpanti architectural style. According to the villagers, this was the original temple of Goddess Jagdamba. When the Goddess moved to the mountain, a Shiva Linga was consecrated in this temple. In front of the temple, there is a separate Nandi Mandapa. In the temple courtyard, there is an ancient Deepmala (lamp pillar) and a stepwell (Barav) built of carved stone. An inscription on the arch of this stepwell mentions the year Shake 1684, which bears witness to the antiquity of this site.

The Sharadiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri are the two main annual festivals celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Jagdamba Mata Temple in Waghrul. Fairs in honor of the Goddess are held on Chaitra Purnima and Paush Purnima. Since the installation of the new idol in the year 1998, the practice of offering non-vegetarian Naivedya or the sacrifice of goats or chickens has been completely stopped at the temple. Devotees now offer the Goddess a vegetarian feast (Bhandara) consisting of Varan-Bhat (lentils and rice), Puran Poli, or Dal-Bati. Devotees perform the ritual of filling the Goddess’s lap with a sari and coconut (Oti) and offer her ornaments of auspiciousness. An Akhand Harinam Saptah is organized here during the month of Margashirsha.

During festival periods, religious programs such as Bhajans, Kirtans, Pravachans, Jagaran, and Gondhal are held at the temple. After the programs, Mahaprasad is organized for the devotees. All festivals throughout the year, including Chaitra Padwa, Dussehra, Diwali, and the month of Shravan, are celebrated at this temple.

There is a large influx of devotees at the temple every Tuesday and Friday, as well as on Ashtami, Purnima, and Amavasya. On behalf of the temple, Mahaprasad (Bhandara) is organized on every Purnima throughout the year. Devotees can have Darshan here daily from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

Useful Information

• 25 km from Jalna
• ST bus service available from Jalna city
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the area
• Contact: Temple Office, Mob. 9764174989, 7030690243