Kanifnath Temple

Savargaon, Taluka Mangrulpir, District Washim

In the Indian Shaiva tradition known as the ‘Nath’ sect, which emerged between the eighth and twelfth centuries, eighty-four Siddhas are revered. Kanifnath is one of these Siddhas. He is considered an avatar of Prabuddha Narayana. He is known by various names such as Kanhapa, Krishnapa, Kanipa, Kanhu, and Siddha Krishnapada. Kanhoba is also one of his names. The temple of this Kanhoba Maharaj, alias Kanifnath, who is the family deity (Kuldaivat) of the Banjara community, is situated on a high hill in Savargaon. It is said that this site of Kanifnath is at least 800 years old.

Kanifnath has been revered not only in the Nath Panth but also in the Kapalika, Vaishnava, Jain, Buddhist, Mahanubhava, and even the Sufi traditions. According to Tibetan textual traditions, Kanifnath was originally from Karnataka. Some scholars believe that Kanifnath was a ‘Buddhist Kapalika’. The Bengali Charyapada is a collection of mystical poems and songs from the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism. In it, Kanifnath is referred to as a ‘Kapalika’. Based on these Charyapadas, scholars believe his period to be the tenth or eleventh century. In the Marathi text ‘Navnath Bhaktisar’, he is mentioned as a disciple of Jalandharnath. In the ‘Govindchanda Upadesen Jalandhari Avajna Kathan’ leela (Uttarardha, 507) of the Leelacharitra, he is referred to by the name ‘Kanhu’, and it is stated that Jalandharnath (Jalindarnath) was his guru.

The legend of Kanifnath’s birth is told in the book ‘Shri Navnath Bhaktisar’ by the poet Dhundisut Malu. It is said that Saraswati was the daughter of Lord Brahma. When she turned twelve, seeing her beauty, lust arose in Brahma’s mind. At that moment, a drop of Brahma’s semen fell into the ear of an elephant sleeping on the earth, and in time, a radiant child was born from that ear. That child was Kanifnath. He lived with Jalandharnath for 12 years at Badrinath in the Himalayas. It is stated in the Navnath Bhaktisar that he composed forty crore and twenty lakh verses there. After this, Kanifnath traveled across the country. During this journey, he gained 700 disciples. The text also mentions that he went to the land of women (Stridesh) and met Machindranath, and that he resided in Gauda Bangala (Bengal province) and the Cuttack region. Wandering from there, he came to Maharashtra. He resided in the village of Madhi near the Garbhagiri mountain. His Samadhi is located here. According to a legend, while Kanifnath was staying at Madhi, he once came to Mahurgad in Pusad, Yavatmal, for the darshan of Goddess Renuka. While he was at the Dattatreya peak there, he was commanded to return to the village of Madhi. Accordingly, while returning to Madhi, he stopped for some time on this hill in Savargaon and performed penance here. Over time, an idol was sculpted and a temple was built at this spot. It is believed that this temple of Kanifnath was originally built in the Hemadpanti style. It has been renovated from time to time, which has given it its current form.

The temple is situated in a spacious area on a high hill surrounded by dense greenery. There is a large platform in front of the temple. One enters the temple courtyard by climbing 16 steps from there. This courtyard has high fortifications. There is a stone entrance in the fortification, with two large bastions built on either side. Because of this, the exterior structure of the temple looks like a fort, and this place is also known as Kanifgad.

Upon entering the temple courtyard, the temple structure is visible directly in front. A tin shed has been erected in front of the modernly built assembly hall (Sabhamandap) for the convenience of devotees. In this shed, the metal-cast Padukas (footprints) of Kanhoba Maharaj are enshrined on a high stone pedestal. To the right of the assembly hall, a wide lamp pillar (Deepmal) stands on a pedestal paved with marble tiles. The assembly hall has three arched entrances from the front. A queue system for darshan has been created in this assembly hall, which has stone pillars, using steel pipes. The sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) houses the seat of Kanifnath. Devotees believe that this is the very place where he performed penance when he came to Savargaon. Near this seat is a colorful sculpted idol of Kanifnath. This idol is carved in stone in high relief. There is a distinctive spire (Shikhara) above the sanctum. The lower three tiers of this spire are square-shaped. Above them are circular tiers, topped with a finial (Kalash). All these levels are beautifully carved.

A large fair (Jatra) of Kanifnath is held here on the day of Phalguna Shuddha Dwadashi. It is said that this festival has a tradition of about 150 years. On the morning of the fair, a ‘Kiranotsav’ (sunbeam festival) takes place here. It is said that at this auspicious time, between 6:38 AM and 6:48 AM, the sun’s rays fall directly on the seat of Kanifnath. The sun also rests on the temple’s lamp pillar. Devotees come in large numbers to witness this sight. People from various communities, including the Banjara community, participate in the fair in large numbers. The deities’ ceremonial staffs (Kathya) are brought in processions from the surrounding villages. They are worshipped here with due rituals. Similarly, various religious programs such as Bhagwat Saptah, Akhand Harinam, discourses, and devotional singing (Bhajan-Kirtan) are held here. On the final day of the Saptah, a grand worship (Mahapuja) and sacrificial fire (Homavidhi) are performed. This is followed by the ‘Kala’ kirtan. A grand feast (Mahaprasad) is also organized here on this day in the morning.

Useful Information:

• 15 km from Mangrulpir
• 55 km from Washim
• ST bus service available from Mangrulpir
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• No accommodation facilities available in the vicinity
• Contact: Temple Office, Mob. 9359425860, 9881061311