Tulja Bhavani Shivraya Temple

Varasgaon, Taluka Roha, District Raigad 

The land of Raigad, sanctified by the touch of the feet of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindavi Swarajya, is home to many temples. These include both ancient and modern structures. Among these, the Tulja Bhavani Shivraya Temple, located near the Mumbai-Goa highway in Varasgaon, Roha taluka, is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern architecture. This temple is a place of faith for thousands of devotees and admirers of Shivaji Maharaj in the district. Devotees believe that the awakened Tulja Bhavani Devi here grants the wishes of those who pray to her. 

It is said that Chandarani Kondalkar, who lived here, received a divine vision from Tulja Bhavani, in which the Goddess instructed her to build a temple here. She recounts that the Goddess provided detailed instructions through this vision, including the location for the temple, its architectural design, the idol of the Goddess, the ornaments, the placement of other deities’ idols around the temple, and the types of flowering plants to be grown. Following the vision, she constructed a well near the temple and named it Bhavani Sagar. On the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya in the year 1989, the idol of Goddess Tulja Bhavani was consecrated in the temple, and it was opened for devotees. 

On the right side of the entrance arch of this temple, located at Varasgaon in Roha taluka along the Mumbai-Goa highway, stands a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In front of the statue is a sculpture of a tiger. As one proceeds towards the temple through the arch, there is a statue of a cow with its calf and seating arrangements for devotees on the right side. The temple, which consists of a Mukhamandapa (entrance porch), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), main Sabhamandapa, and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), is situated on a platform about four feet high. In front of the temple, on both sides, are statues of a tiger, which is the vehicle of the Goddess. The Mukhamandapa, which is elevated above the courtyard, is reached by three steps. The Mukhamandapa features four ornate circular pillars supporting a roof. All four pillars of the Mukhamandapa They are connected to each other by arched gateways. 

The Sabha Mandapa is slightly higher than the Mukha Mandapa. On both sides of the entrance to the Sabha Mandapa, there are relief-style sculptures of Dvarapalas (gatekeepers). The door frame and shutters of the wooden entrance are adorned with floral and leaf carvings. In the center of the Sabha Mandapa floor, there is a Yajna Kunda and a sculpture of a tortoise. The enclosed Sabha Mandapa has windows for light and ventilation. Inside the Sabha Mandapa, on the right side, there is an idol of Swami Samarth on a Vajra Pitha, and on the left, there is an enthroned idol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Before the road widening, this idol was located in the temple courtyard. Between both idols is the entrance to the main Sabha Mandapa. The door frames and shutters feature floral and leaf carvings, with a Kirtimukha sculpture at the top. 

The main assembly hall is spacious. To the right of the entrance is Maruti and The idol of Goddess Saptashrungi has sixteen arms. To the left is the idol of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. In the main assembly hall, there are two additional doors on the right and left sides. The enclosed main assembly hall has seating arrangements for devotees. Further ahead, on the front wall of the sanctum sanctorum, there is an idol of Maruti on the right side of the entrance and an idol of Ganpati on the left. In front of the entrance, on a table, is the brass festival idol of Tulja Bhavani. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, on a diamond-studded pedestal, is the eight-armed idol of the Goddess holding various weapons in her hands. There is a silver crown on the Goddess’s head. Behind the idol is an ornate silver halo. Adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum, on the left and right sides, are the storage rooms. There is a circumambulation path along the exterior of the temple on the platform. 

The roof of the Mukhamandapa features a tapering, pyramid-like square shikhara. At the apex of the shikhara sits an Amalaka, topped by a Kalasha. The roofs of the Sabhamandapa and the Garbhagriha are at the same level. On these, there are four square minor shikharas on all four sides, with Kalashas placed upon their respective Amalakas. The roof of the two-storied main Sabhamandapa has a stepped, pyramid-like structure, crowned with an Amalaka and a Kalasha. The roof of the Garbhagriha features a tall, three-tiered tapering shikhara. Atop this are two stacked Amalakas, a Kalasha, and a Dhwajapataka. 

In the temple courtyard, to the right side, there is an idol of Mahadeva housed within a canopy. On the ground, there is a Shivlinga with a Nandi positioned before it. Additionally, on the left side of the temple, there is a small shrine dedicated to Dattatreya. At the rear, there is a brass idol of Siddhivinayak placed within a canopy. Beside it, on a raised platform, stands an intricately carved Tulsi Vrindavan. At the base of the Tulsi Vrindavan, on all four sides, are sculptures of elephants, with replicas of lotus flowers above them. On the front side of the Tulsi pedestal, there is a relief sculpture of Ganapati. 

Annual festivals such as Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri Utsav, Dussehra, and Diwali are organized at the temple. During these times, programs including Bhajans, Kirtans, Pravachans, and musical performances are held. Hundreds of devotees from the surrounding areas visit the temple to seek the blessings of the Goddess and to fulfill their vows. The number of devotees is significantly higher at the temple on Tuesdays, Fridays, Purnima, and Amavasya. 

Useful Information

• Located at a distance of 1 kilometer from Kolad and 15 kilometers from Roha
• At a distance of 500 meters from Kolad Railway Station
• ST bus facility available from Roha, Kolad, and Indapur.
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area.
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities are available in the vicinity.
• Contact: Chandarani Kondalkar, Founder, Mobile: 9766276262