Swayambhu Ganesh Temple

Antri Khurd, Taluka Shirala, District Sangli

There are as many as thirty-two tourist destinations in the Shirala taluka of Sangli district. Due to its predominantly hilly terrain, Shirala taluka is also known as ‘Dongari’ (hilly). Another specialty of this taluka is the village of Antri Khurd. It has been famous for many years for the tradition of ‘One Village, One Ganpati’. The Swayambhu Ganesh Temple here is a place of faith for thousands of devotees. Ganeshotsav is celebrated here on a grand scale. A large fair is held during this time, attracting a massive number of devotees from across the state.

Regarding the establishment of this temple, it is said that in the year ۱۹۷۲, a prominent person from the village, Hari Patil, took the initiative and, with the help of his associates, built this temple. Following this, Ganeshotsav began to be celebrated in this charming temple with great enthusiasm and in a religious atmosphere. Some of the village elders decided that the festival of this Lord of Wisdom belongs to the entire village, and it should be celebrated by the village collectively; therefore, no one in the village should celebrate Ganeshotsav independently. This policy was framed with the intention of strengthening the sense of unity in the village. All the villagers accepted this. Since then, no Ganpati is brought into any house in this village during the Ganeshotsav period. The message of unity given by the village through this has spread across the state. 

This charming temple is located in the central part of the village. There is a small boundary wall at the front of the temple. One enters the temple courtyard through the entrance gate. The structure of this temple consists of a Darshan Mandap (viewing hall), Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). This structure bears the imprint of the Dravidian architectural style. The temple’s Darshan Mandap resembles a small Gopuram. The tall entrance gate with its characteristic design in the temple’s boundary wall is called a Gopuram in the Dravidian architectural style. There is a clear impression of this Gopuram on the roofs of the temple’s Darshan Mandap and Sabha Mandap. Similarly, the temple’s Shikhara (spire) is also in this style. A highly ornate, five-tiered structure that tapers as it rises can be seen in this Shikhara. It features horizontal niches with beautiful color schemes and craftsmanship. At the top level, an idol of Ganesha is seated. Above it is a Shikhara that looks like a rectangular bolster, topped with a Kalash. 

The pillars of the Darshan Mandap here feature floral carvings. On the front wall of the temple, in a niche above the Darshan Mandap, is the Shiva Panchayatan. There are small Shikharas on the sides of this deity niche. Above the arched roof of the deity niche, there is a rectangular structure of the type found on South Indian temples, topped with small finials. This deity niche contains Shankar, Parvati, Kartikeya, and child Ganesha, with Nandi on one side and a lion on the other at the base. In the niche to its left is Ganesha, and in the niche to the right is an idol of Kartikeya. 

The lintel of the main wooden entrance to the Sabha Mandap features vine carvings. On the Lalatbimba (central decorative element above the door) is a pair of swans with their necks intertwined. On both sides of the entrance, there are large lattice windows shaped like deity niches in the walls. The ceiling of the Sabha Mandap features various floral carvings. To the left of this Sabha Mandap is a wooden Garbhagriha. In front of this Garbhagriha, which is slightly lower than the Sabha Mandap, is an idol of a mouse, and in front of that is the silver Utsav Murti (processional idol) of Ganesha. The Garbhagriha here is wooden, and at first glance, its structure resembles a home shrine. Its wooden door frame has vine carvings. The original Swayambhu idol of Ganraya is small. To make the features of this vermilion-smeared idol clearly visible, the ears, eyebrows, and the mark on the forehead appear to be painted. The eyes on this idol are made of silver. There is a canopy over this idol. Devotees offer garlands of bells and coconuts to this deity in fulfillment of their vows. Because of its reputation for granting wishes, this temple is famous in the surrounding area as the Navsha Ganpati Temple. There is a small circumambulation path along the side of the Garbhagriha here.

Ganeshotsav is considered the main festival of this village. During this time, the Ganesh idol is installed in the Sabha Mandap of this temple next to the Garbhagriha. During this period, the village takes on the appearance of a fair. Between Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi, various programs such as Bhajans, Kirtans, and Powadas are organized in the temple. A Mahaprasad is organized on Bhadrapada Shukla Trayodashi. During Ganeshotsav, villagers who have moved away for work or business, as well as married daughters of the village, make it a point to visit this Swayambhu Ganesha. 

Due to the devotion of the devotees towards this Ganesha and the thousands of pilgrims who visit here, this shrine has been included in the pilgrimage development program by the Government of Maharashtra. The government has granted this temple ‘C’ class pilgrimage status. Next to the Swayambhu Ganesh Temple is an ancient Jyotiba Temple. In front of this temple, there is a Deepmal (lamp tower) on a stone platform. In the Garbhagriha of this two-story wooden temple, there is a large brass horse in front of the idol of Jyotiba. Many devotees who come for the darshan of Ganesha also make it a point to visit this Jyotiba. 

Useful Information

• ۷ km from Shirala city, and ۶۳ km from Sangli
• ST buses and private vehicles available from Shirala
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No accommodation or dining facilities available in the vicinity