Zholai Devi Temple,

Gavatale, Taluka Dapoli, District Ratnagiri

The sacred abode of Goddess Jholai is situated in Gavtale, a village in the Dapoli taluka of Ratnagiri district. The Goddess is renowned throughout the surrounding region as being ‘Swayambhu’ (self-manifested) and ‘Navsala Pavnari’ (one who fulfills the vows of devotees). It is said that Goddess Jholai is the presiding deity of 84 villages in the vicinity. The Mahishasurmardan festival, held every three years at this temple, is considered the most significant event here. During this festival, a ceremonial goat is adorned and taken in a grand procession with music through the village before being brought to the Jholai temple. Following the rituals, the meat of the goat is distributed as ‘Prasad’ to the entire village with great devotion.

This temple of Jolai Devi, dating back to approximately the seventeenth century, is situated in the woodlands on the outskirts of Gavtale village. It is said that Jolai Devi resides on the village border to ward off any impending crises or disasters, ensuring her benevolent gaze remains upon the village. During the Mughal era, when deities and temples across the kingdom were being desecrated and destroyed, the villagers believe that this temple was likely built in a remote and inaccessible area, far from human habitation, to protect their village deity from such desecration. Although the area was once home to tigers, causing fear, the villagers also hold a deep reverence for them. Within the Jolai temple complex, there is a temple dedicated to Waghjai Devi. It is said that tigers would often come and sit on the steps of this temple, yet they never hunted the village cattle or domestic animals.

In the year 2005, the ancient and dilapidated Zolai Temple was renovated. At that time, the temple was restored by retaining the monolithic ancient stone carved pillars and without altering the original structure. This temple’s The structure consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), and a Pradakshina Marg (circumambulatory path). In the temple’s Garbhagriha, there is a beautiful idol of Goddess Zolai carved from a single stone. This idol is in a seated posture and is mounted on a boar. In the same Garbhagriha, there is also an idol of Goddess Chodkarin. Legend has it that Goddess Chodkarin used to cause great distress to the villagers in the past. It is for this reason that Goddess Zolai has kept her under her supervision.

In the premises of the Jholai Devi Temple, there are shrines dedicated to the deities Vaghjai, Bhairavnath, Manai, Chamkai, Valjai, Navlai, and Kalkai. Although all these temples have been renovated, their original architectural structure has been preserved. There is a large lake within the temple premises. The water in this lake is clean and sweet, and it remains full throughout the year. Crocodiles have inhabited this lake since ancient times; however, to this day, there has never been an incident where these crocodiles have attacked livestock or villagers. Sometimes these crocodiles rest in the grass outside the lake, and at such times One can have their darshan. Near this lake, along the footpath, a spot known as ‘Kasarnicha Chonda’ is famous. It is said that in the past, a Kasarin (a woman from the bangle-seller community) would pass by here and, with great devotion, place bangles for Goddess Zolai in this Chonda; that is why this place is famous by the name ‘Kasarnicha Chonda’. It is believed that because there are many such lakes in this village, the village came to be named ‘Gavatale’.

Festivals such as Mahishasurmardan, Wagh Barshi, Holi, Navratri, and Palejatra are celebrated at the Zolai Temple. The Mahishasurmardan festival is celebrated once every three years. During this time, a ceremonial goat is taken out in a procession and brought to the Zolai Temple. Later, the goat is sacrificed, and its head and hooves are offered to the Goddess and buried at a designated spot. The meat of the goat is prepared as prasad and distributed to the entire village. The bhakris (flatbreads) required for this prasad are made from rice collected from the village.

Wagh Barshi is a traditional ritual performed to banish the tiger from the village. The underlying concept of this event is to expel evil forces from the village. A person from the village is dressed as a tiger, and after being pelted with cow dung and stones, he is driven beyond the village borders. Following this, in celebration of the tiger’s banishment, the rice grains already fallen in the village fields are gathered, a hearth is lit in the forest to prepare kheer, and it is then shared among everyone.

Another important festival celebrated at the Zolai temple is Palejatra (the fair of the deity considered the protector of the fields). This is a major festival for the farmers of the village. It is celebrated before the commencement of paddy transplantation. Paddy transplantation in the village begins only after this festival.

In addition to this, a traditional Gondhal program is held at the Jolai Devi temple during the Navratri festival every three years. According to long-standing tradition, designated Gondhalis from Western Maharashtra arrive at the Jolai temple for this event. The Jolai Devasthan is considered a ‘Jagrut Devasthan’ (an awakened or highly powerful sacred site). Therefore, devotees from across the state visit here to seek the blessings of the Goddess.

Useful Information:

• 17 km from Dapoli and 135 km from Ratnagiri
• ST bus facility available from Dapoli to the village
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area.
• Breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity, but there is no accommodation.