Kanakamba Devi Temple

Karakamb, Taluka Pandharpur, District Solapur

Kanakamba Devi is originally known as Kanaka Durga or Kanaka Amba. Due to the corruption of the name over time, the Goddess came to be addressed as Kanakamba Devi. There are many temples dedicated to this Goddess across the country. The original abode of the Goddess is on the Indrakiladri Hill on the banks of the Krishna River in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. It is believed that this seat of the Goddess is Swayambhu (self-manifested). After slaying Mahishasura, the Goddess appeared with a golden radiance, hence she came to be known as Kanaka Amba or Kanaka Durga. An ancient and famous temple of this Goddess is located in the village of Karakamb in Pandharpur Taluka. Kanakamba Devi is the Gramadevata (village deity) here.

According to information provided by the villagers, this temple dates back about four to five hundred years. Historical documents mention that in ancient times, Karakamb was an important military outpost and a trade route. It is said that the renovation of this ancient temple was carried out by Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. History records that when this outpost was under the Patwardhan Sansthan, Narso Govind had led an uprising here. This outpost was also associated with the reign of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar. The presence of Veergal (hero stones) and Sati-shila (sati stones) in the temple premises confirms the antiquity of this site and temple. Recently, while working on the Darshan Mandap in front of the temple, a stone idol of the Goddess was found underground. It has been placed in the Antarala (vestibule) of the temple.

The temple, located near the village, is surrounded by a two-foot-high parapet wall. In front of the entrance is a Tulsi Vrindavan, and at some distance stands a forty-foot-high circular stone Deepmala (lamp tower). Near the Deepmala are some Veergal, Nag-shila (serpent stones), and Sati-shila. There is a Samadhi next to the Deepmala. About 15 to 20 meters from the Samadhi, there is a small temple containing an ancient vermilion-smeared idol of Lord Ganesha. Below the Ganesha temple, in the basement, is a Panchamukhi Shiva Linga. There are stone steps from outside the temple to descend into the basement. The roof of the Ganesha temple, which slopes in all four directions, features a circular pillar-like Shikhara (spire), topped with an Amalaka and a Kalash.

The structure of the Kanakamba Devi temple consists of a Darshan Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Antarala, and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Darshan Mandap in front of the temple has been newly constructed. It features six rows of four square pillars each. The pillars support beams and the roof. In this semi-open Darshan Mandap, there is a Yajna Kund in front of the entrance to the Sabha Mandap. Further on, the construction of the Sabha Mandap, Antarala, and Garbhagriha is made of stone. The entrance to the Sabha Mandap features Parnashakha (leaf motifs), Pushpashakha (flower motifs), and Stambhashakha (pillar motifs), with an idol of Lord Ganesha on the Lalatabimba (lintel). The archway contains indistinct carvings, and there is a Chandrashila (moonstone) at the threshold. A tortoise sculpture is placed on the floor of the Sabha Mandap. The Sabha Mandap has four rows of four pillars each. The four central pillars are ornate, with their shafts featuring various geometric shapes such as squares, hexagons, octagons, and circles. The square panels on the pillars are carved with various types of designs.

The outer pillars are embedded in the walls. In the Sabha Mandap, there are two Devakoshtakas (niches) on both sides of the entrance to the Antarala. Additionally, there are two Devakoshtakas on the left and right sides within the Antarala. On the left side of the Antarala is the idol of the Goddess found underground during the excavation for the Darshan Mandap work. Further ahead is the entrance to the Garbhagriha, which features creeper, leaf, flower, and pillar motifs. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha on the Lalatabimba and floral carvings on the lintel. The archway features Shikhara carvings and a Chandrashila at the threshold.

In the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha (diamond pedestal), stands the four-armed black stone idol of Kanakamba Devi. In her Mahishasura Mardini form, the Goddess holds a sword and an Agnikunda (fire pot) in her upper two hands. With the Trishula (trident) held in her lower two hands, she is striking the demon lying beneath her feet. A crown, various garments, and ornaments are carved onto the idol. The idol is adorned with a silver mask and a silver crown on its head. The ceiling of the Garbhagriha features a three-layered circular Shikhara that tapers upwards. The Shikhara is decorated with two lotus-petal mandalas and pillar carvings. At the top of the Shikhara is an Amalaka, followed by a Kalash and a flag.

The Sharadiya Navratri festival is the main annual event celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During this time, thousands of devotees from the surrounding areas come for the Darshan of the Goddess and to fulfill their vows. For ten consecutive days, programs such as Bhajans, Kirtans, discourses, Jagaran, and Gondhal are organized in the temple. Mahaprasad is distributed on the day of Dussehra. Festivals such as Chaitra Padwa, Dussehra, Diwali, Shakambhari Navratri, and Kojagiri Purnima are also celebrated at the temple. Thousands of devotees gather here during all these festivals. The number of devotees visiting for Darshan is high on Tuesdays, Fridays, Purnima, Amavasya, and Ashtami. Devotees can visit the temple and have Darshan of Kanakamba Devi daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Useful Information

• 20 km from Pandharpur
• ST bus service available from Pandharpur
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation or dining facilities available in the vicinity
• Contact: Hari Katwade, Priest, Mob: 8806049613, 8177932420