Tambaveshwar Mahadev Temple

Tambva, Taluka Kej, District Beed

Although the Supreme Lord is known by many names, as He is beginningless and endless, He perhaps feels no need for a specific name. It is likely for this reason that in many villages, the local deity is named by adding ‘Ishwar’ to the village name, signifying the Lord of that village. Similarly, the Mahadev in Tambwa village of Kaij taluka is known as ‘Tambweshwar Mahadev’. Devotees have deep faith that this awakened Mahadev fulfills their prayers. A unique feature of this village is that not a single neem tree has grown here for hundreds of years. Furthermore, neem wood is not used in this village.

The priests here state that this temple has existed since time immemorial, but according to scholars, this temple is likely four to five hundred years old. A legend associated with this temple says that Lord Shriram resided here during his period of exile. At that time, he installed this Shivlinga for his daily worship. Another legend about this temple is that not a single neem tree has grown in this village for thousands of years. Significantly, no one in the village uses neem wood for any purpose. Therefore, the use of neem wood for house construction, furniture, agricultural implements, toys, or even low wooden stools and planks, and not even for bullock carts, is forbidden in the village. Conversely, it is said that if someone in the village suffers a snakebite, then neem Snake venom is neutralized using the Pala herb. The first renovation of this temple was carried out in the year 1965. Subsequently, in recent times, the temple was renovated again, during which most of the temple’s construction work was done using cement concrete.

This temple is situated in a central location within the village, amidst the residential area. Parking facilities are available at a short distance from the temple. On the road leading from here to the temple, one can see a grand entrance gate and fortification walls. There is a Nagarkhana on the floor above the entrance. Along the road leading to the temple, there are houses and shops on both sides. The temple, which features a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), is located right by the road. The Sabhamandapa has two entrances. Since the temple is elevated above the road level, each of the two entrances has five steps. There are platforms on both sides of the steps. The doors and door frames of the entrances are made of wood and are carved with floral and leaf motifs. There are windows in the wall between the two entrances. The entrances and windows feature arched designs. The front side of the Sabhamandapa is enclosed, while it remains open on the left and right sides. There are pillars on the outer side of the assembly hall. In the assembly hall, there is an idol of Nandi made of black stone placed on a pedestal. To the left of the sanctum sanctorum, inside the ornate shrine, there are idols of Vitthal-Rakhumai, Lakshmi-Narayan, Shri Krishna, and various saints placed on a pedestal. In front of the shrine, there are seven carved Vaman pillars. There are six semicircular arches above the pillars. In the assembly hall, there are stainless steel safety railings, and beyond them lies the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum.

The doorjambs of the entrance feature vertical carvings, and the lintel bears a sculpture of Lord Ganesha. Above the entrance is an arched torana. In the center of the sanctum sanctorum, a Shiva Linga is installed on the floor. A brass serpent with a canopy rests over this Linga. A copper abhisheka vessel, designed to drip water onto the Shiva Linga, is suspended from the ceiling. There is a safety railing on all four sides of the temple roof. The ceiling of the sanctum sanctorum features a four-tiered circular spire. Each of the three lower tiers of the spire contains twelve niches, which house idols of various deities. The fourth tier of the spire is adorned with pillar carvings, topped with an amalaka and a kalasha above it.

On the left side of the temple, there are spacious corridors. These are used for various purposes such as pilgrim accommodation, a dharmashala, and a free food distribution center. In the vast courtyard behind the temple, there are hero stones, sati stones, and other ancient sculptures. At a short distance from the temple, at the parking area, there is a temple of Lord Maruti. The structure of this temple also consists of a sabhamandapa and a garbhagriha. In its garbhagriha, there is a vermilion-anointed stone idol of Lord Maruti placed on a vajrapitha. The roof of the garbhagriha features a three-tiered circular shikhara.

Mahashivratri is the main annual festival celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During this time, thousands of devotees from the surrounding areas come to seek the blessings of the Deity and to fulfill their vows. On this occasion, a Palkhi procession of the Deity is organized, and the Deity is taken out in a palanquin for a circumambulation of the village. Thousands of devotees participate in the Palkhi procession amidst the rhythmic beats of drums and cymbals, showering gulal. A large crowd of devotees gathers at the temple on all Mondays of the holy month of Shravan. Festivals and celebrations such as Chaitra Padwa, Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, Dussehra-Diwali, Kojagiri Purnima, and Kartik Purnima are observed at the temple. During all these festivals, programs such as Bhajans, Kirtans, Pravachans, musical performances, and Mahaprasad are organized at the temple.

Useful Information:

• At a distance of 7 km from Kaij
• Sixty-five kilometers away from Beed
• ST bus facility from Kaij
• Private vehicles can come up to the temple parking lot.
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity.