Mahalakshmi Temple

Shirsav, Taluka Paranda, District Dharashiv

There is a singular maternal essence underlying all deities such as Mariai, Yamai, Kadkalakshmi, Ambabai, and Mahalakshmi. Ambabai is the consort of Shiva, while Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu. Although the Shakta sect of the Goddess is distinct and independent from the Shaiva and Vaishnava sects, it is believed that by connecting the Goddess to Mahadeva or Vishnu, an attempt was made to bridge the divide between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Some scholars believe this is why Ambabai came to be addressed as Mahalakshmi. One such Mahalakshmi temple is located in the village of Shirsav in Paranda Taluka. The Goddess here is in the form of Ambabai and is addressed as Mahalakshmi. It is the custom here to offer only vegetarian food and sweets as Naivedya to the Goddess.

This temple, dating back approximately one thousand years, is identified as belonging to the Chalukya era due to the inverted serpent sculptures on its pillars. The legend of this temple states that after the war between the Devas and Danavas began, Mahadeva set out to fight the Danavas. At that time, Mother Parvati, fully armed, set out with him. However, Mahadeva told Parvati to stay seven leagues behind him; thus, Mother Parvati remained here and was established in the form of an idol.

This temple in Shirsav village of Paranda Taluka is surrounded by a sturdy stone fortification fifteen feet high. Sculptures of various animals and creatures are carved onto the stones of the fortification. The temple has a two-story entrance gate within the fortification. One enters the temple courtyard through this two-story entrance after climbing eight steps. Paintings of gatekeepers (Dwarapalas) are depicted on both sides of the entrance. There is a Nagarkhana (drum house) on the upper floor of the entrance. There are several trees in the courtyard, and under them, on the platforms, are Shiva Lingas and other sculptures.

The temple structure consists of a Mandapa, Sabha Mandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha. The open-style Mandapa here is newly constructed. Being at a higher elevation than the courtyard, there are three steps in front of the entrance to the Mandapa. The Sabha Mandapa has circular pillars and a roof supported by them. There are brass bells hanging from the ceiling and a Homa-kunda on the floor. Further ahead is the main Sabha Mandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha, featuring ancient Hemadpanti architectural stonework. The enclosed Sabha Mandapa has a railing on the front side with an entrance. There is a tortoise (Kurma) sculpture in front of the entrance. The Sabha Mandapa has four rows of four ornate pillars each. The outer pillars are embedded in the railing and walls. In the center of the four middle pillars is the Rangashila. All pillars stand on square bases, and the shafts feature various geometric shapes such as squares, hexagons, octagons, and circles. At the top of the pillars are brackets (Kani) and above them are the corbels (Hasta). Inverted serpents are carved onto these corbels. It is said that this is a hallmark of Chalukya-era construction. In the main Sabha Mandapa, there is an idol of Ganapati in a niche on the left and a four-armed Bhairava sculpture on the right. In the two back hands of Bhairava are a Trishula and a Damaru, while the two front hands hold serpents. Along the sides of the Bhairava idol, there are structures resembling door jambs on the wall. At the center of the lintel (Lalatabimba) is a Goddess sculpture, and the lintel band features a row of elephants (Gajathar). The Sabha Mandapa houses the palanquin used during the Goddess’s festival.

Further ahead is the entrance to the Antarala and Garbhagriha. Being at a higher elevation than the Antarala, there is a step in front of the Garbhagriha entrance. The door jambs feature pillar carvings, the lintel features an auspicious sculpture, and the archway (Torana) features spire carvings. The entrance and the ornate doors are covered in brass. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha, stands the four-armed idol of the Goddess made of black Shaligram stone. The Goddess holds various weapons and is adorned with garments and jewelry. A silver crown rests on the Goddess’s head. On the ceiling of the Garbhagriha, there are four lion sculptures at the four corners. In the center is a five-tiered, circular, tall spire that tapers towards the top. It is said that this spire was newly constructed. Below the spire is a lotus-petal ring. Each tier of the spire contains twelve niches, each housing a deity idol. Between every two niches are Shakti idols. Above all the niches and the Shakti sculptures are miniature spires, topped with Amalakas and Kalashas. At the very top of the main spire are three Amalakas and a Kalasha stacked one above the other. There are a total of 121 Kalashas on this spire.

Regarding this tall spire, the legend goes that previously there was no spire on the temple. At that time, if a two-story house was built in the village, it would collapse. However, after the spire was built, two-story houses began to remain standing. The annual Jatrotsav (fair) of the Goddess is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the month of Chaitra. During this time, amidst the sound of drums and the throwing of Gulal, the Goddess is taken on a village procession in a palanquin. Thousands of devotees come for the Goddess’s Darshan, to fulfill vows, and to participate in the palanquin procession. Additionally, festivals such as Chaitra Padwa, Shakambhari Purnima, Sharadiya Navaratri, Dussehra, and Diwali are organized at the temple.

Useful Information

• 20 km from Paranda, 50 km from Dharashiv
• ST bus service available from Paranda
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No lodging or boarding facilities available in the vicinity