Rameshwar Temple

Maujpuri, Taluka Jalna, District Jalna

Lord Mahadeva is worshipped to attain happiness, peace, and prosperity, and to seek liberation from suffering. Mahadeva is the Adi-Devata (the primordial deity). For this reason, Lord Shri Rama himself performed daily worship and devotion to Mahadeva. Many ancient Shiva temples found along the path of Shri Rama’s exile serve as evidence of this. These Shiva temples established by Shri Rama are known as Rameshwar, meaning the ‘Lord of Rama’. The famous Rameshwar temple in Tamil Nadu is renowned as one of the four Dhams and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Following this tradition, an extremely ancient Rameshwar Shiva temple, a place of deep faith for devotees, is situated at Maujpuri in Jalna district. Devotees believe that the Mahadeva here grants their prayers.

According to local villagers, this temple dates back to the Ramayana era. Currently, forty-five acres of endowed land are registered in the name of this temple. This ancient temple has been renovated during the reigns of various dynasties; therefore, the exact period of its construction cannot be determined. About one hundred years ago, the great ascetic Shivayogi Swami resided here. Through his special efforts, the temple was renovated. In recent times, the temple was renovated once again through public contributions. The current new temple is built using Rajasthani Dholpur stone.

There is a spacious parking area in front of this temple near Maujpuri village. The entire temple premises are paved with paver blocks. In the courtyard, a large eucalyptus log painted in vermilion can be seen standing. It is said that this log was used during the renovation of the temple. The courtyard here consists of uneven terrain. The temple is situated on the higher part of the courtyard. To reach the elevated temple from the lower area, there are seven steps, approximately forty feet long and four feet wide. On both sides of the steps in front of the temple, there are elephant sculptures on two pedestals. In the courtyard in front of the temple, there is a Shani Shila (stone of Lord Shani). A stainless steel railing has been installed around Lord Shani, which includes an entrance. Next to Lord Shani, there is a Tulsi Vrindavan and a Deepmala in the courtyard. A black stone idol of Nandi is situated on a Vajrapitha (pedestal). The priests here state that this magnificent idol, which is about eight feet wide, eight feet high, and twelve feet long, was brought from Rajasthan. A decorative cloth is carved on Nandi’s back, and there is intricate carving of bells and anklets around its neck.

The temple structure is divided into two parts: the Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). There are two steps in front of the entrance to the Sabhamandapa, which is slightly higher than the courtyard. The entrance to the Sabhamandapa is of the open-door type, with statues of Dvarapalas (gatekeepers) on both sides. There are ornate pillars on both sides of this entrance, topped by an arched Torana. On the pillars on both sides of the Torana, sculptures of welcoming maidens holding flower garlands are carved. On the inner and front walls of the Sabhamandapa, as well as on the pillars, various deities, leaves, flowers, and collective carvings can be seen.

In the Sabhamandapa, on the front wall of the Garbhagriha, there are niches on both sides of the entrance. Marble idols of Ganapati and Maruti are enshrined within them. The door frames of the Garbhagriha are carved with pillar designs and floral patterns. There is a sculpture of Ganapati on the Lalatabimba (lintel). Lotus flowers are carved into the Torana, and there is a Chandrashila near the threshold. The entrance has ornate wooden shutters. The Garbhagriha is deeper than the Sabhamandapa, and one must descend four steps to enter. Windows have been provided in the Garbhagriha for light and ventilation. In the center of the Garbhagriha, a Shiva Linga is placed on the floor. Devotees believe that this Shiva Linga was established by Shri Rama himself. An Abhishek-patra (consecration vessel) is hung from the ceiling so that a continuous stream of water falls onto the Shiva Linga. An ornate square Shikhara (spire) is built on the ceiling of the Garbhagriha. Niches have been built on all four sides of the Shikhara, containing idols of various deities. At the four corners of the Shikhara are smaller spires of the Urushringa type. At the very top of the Shikhara, an Amalaka, Kalasha, and flag are installed.

In front of the Rameshwar temple is the temple of Shivayogi Swami Maharaj. It is said that his followers built this temple on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the Maharaj’s Samadhi ceremony. The structure of this temple consists of an open Sabhamandapa, an Antarala (vestibule), and a Garbhagriha. In the Antarala of this temple, near the entrance to the Garbhagriha, there is a small Shiva Linga and Nandi. Floral patterns are carved on the door frames of the Garbhagriha. The entrance has transparent glass shutters. Inside the Garbhagriha, a meditative idol of Shivayogi Maharaj is enshrined on a Vajrapitha. There is a circumambulation path outside the Garbhagriha. The three-tiered hexagonal Shikhara on the roof of the temple has six niches in each of the first two tiers, containing idols of various deities. At the highest point of the Shikhara is an Amalaka and Kalasha.

Next to the temple is the Tapobhumi Smriti Sthala temple of Shivayogi Swami Maharaj. This is where Shivayogi Swami Maharaj used to perform penance. This Tapobhumi memorial temple is built with a Sabhamandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha. A new mandapa has been built in front of it. The temple is designed with an Antarala and a Garbhagriha. One enters the Antarala by climbing five steps from this mandapa. Near the steps are vermilion-smeared stone idols of Ganapati and Maruti. In front of the Antarala, wooden pillars are erected on five square stone seats. In the center of the Antarala, on the floor, are stone idols of Shri Ganapati and Vitthal-Rukmini. Behind the idols, the Yajna-kunda (sacrificial fire pit) and the Maharaj’s seat are kept. Beyond this is the Maharaj’s Kuti (hermitage), which serves as the Garbhagriha.

Beside this temple is an ancient temple of Siddheshwar Mahadev. In recent times, this temple has been renovated. The temple structure consists of an Antarala (vestibule) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). There is a Shivlinga in the sanctum of the temple. The Linga-stone here is separate (detachable) from the Shalunka (base). Devotees believe that if one lifts this Linga-stone in their hands and makes a vow, their heart’s desires are fulfilled. It is for this reason that this deity is renowned as ‘Siddheshwar who fulfills vows’. A legend regarding this temple states that during festivals, women from the village bring flatbreads (polis) from their homes for the grand feast. These flatbreads are stacked upon the Shivlinga in the sanctum. Only when this stack of flatbreads fills the sanctum and reaches the very top of the spire, is the feast commenced. It is said that thereafter, no matter how many devotees partake in the meal, the food never runs short. On the roof of the sanctum, there is a spire in the Dravidian style. At the highest point of the spire, there is a stupika and atop it, a kalasha. In the courtyard in front of the temple, a hall for cultural programs and a food distribution pavilion have been constructed.

Mahashivratri is the most important annual festival here. On this occasion, an unbroken Harinam Saptah (seven-day chanting of the Lord’s name) is organized at the temple. During this time, for seven consecutive days, programs of devotional singing (bhajan), kirtan, music, discourses, Ramkatha, and grand distribution of sanctified food (Mahaprasad) take place. On the day of Mahashivratri, a grand feast is organized. At this time, women from the village bring flatbreads from their homes. In the Siddheshwar temple, these flatbreads are stacked upon the Shivlinga up to the spire. These very flatbreads are then distributed to the devotees as Mahaprasad. Thousands of devotees from the district take advantage of the deity’s darshan and the Mahaprasad at this time. Apart from this, a huge crowd of devotees gathers at the temple every Monday during the holy month of Shravan. Various festivals and celebrations such as Dussehra, Diwali, Chaitra Padwa, Nag Panchami, Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, Ashadhi Ekadashi, and Kartiki Ekadashi are celebrated in the temple. Devotees can have darshan here daily from 6 in the morning to 9 at night.

Useful Information

• Approximately 26 km from Jalna city
• ST bus service available from Jalna city
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking lot
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are not available in the vicinity
• Contact: Temple Office, Mob. 8806368965