Vimleshwar Temple

Wada, Taluka Devgad, District Sindhudurg

The nature-rich land of Konkan is adorned with numerous temples featuring diverse artistic expressions. Their architectural style and the intricate carvings on the idols captivate many scholars and tourists alike. In this same tradition, the ancient temple of Vimaleshwar Mahadev is located in the village of Wada in the Devgad taluka. Due to its status as a spiritually awakened site and its unique architectural design, this temple is a place of faith for thousands of devotees. It is carved into a laterite rock that is approximately 50 feet high and 325 feet long. It is believed that the self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Linga here is a replica of Kashi Vishweshwar.

The temple of Vimaleshwar Mahadev is situated in a serene environment rich in nature, surrounded by towering coconut and areca nut trees reaching towards the sky, with a gently flowing stream nearby. According to a legend, the Pandavas built this temple in a single night while they were in exile. This temple, a beautiful example of ancient sculpture, is carved into the solid rock at the foothills of a mountain. Located below the road level, one must descend fifty to sixty steps to reach this temple. There is an open space in front of the temple, and beyond it flows a stream below. On both sides of the main temple entrance, two massive elephants with mahouts are carved into the rock face.

There are eleven lamp pillars in front of the temple. Above the temple entrance, there are five sculptures, which are considered symbols of the five elements. Among these, the three sculptures in the center represent Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, while the remaining two represent Garuda and Hanuman. A unique feature of these idols is that the Brahma here is single-faced, and Shankar is depicted in a seated posture with his matted hair flowing down. The main entrance and the spire of the temple were later constructed using cement concrete. One enters the temple by climbing eight steps from the ground. The structure of this rock-cut temple consists of a assembly hall (Sabhamandap), an intermediate chamber (Antaral), and a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). The assembly hall features large, intricately carved pillars on the sides. Due to the darkness inside the temple, bats are always present there. From here, one enters the intermediate chamber. In the intermediate chamber, near the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, there is an idol of Nandi carved from a single stone placed on a pedestal. Here, divine guidance (Kaul) is sought from Nandi.

Generally, the sanctum sanctorum of a Shiva temple is at ground level or situated slightly below it; however, the sanctum sanctorum of this temple is at an elevation, and one must ascend 12 to 13 steps to reach it. One enters the sanctum sanctorum. In the center of the sanctum sanctorum, on the ground level, is the Shivalinga of Vimaleshwar Mahadev. It is said that this is an extremely rare temple in the country where the Nandi is positioned lower and the Shivalinga is at a higher elevation. Notably, there is also intricate carving on this Shivalinga. Abhishekam is performed on this Shivalinga daily. It is also considered a unique feature of this place that no matter how much water is poured during the Jalabhishekam, the water is absorbed right there.

In this temple complex, numerous hero stones (Virgal), sati stones (Satishila), and hero-sati stones (Virasatigal) have been installed. These stones bear signs of battle scenes. They also shed light on the contemporary attire and ornaments of the male and female figures depicted. The front pleat of the women’s lower garment, as well as the tunic and tightly worn dhoti of the men, are prominently visible in these carvings.

Next to these stone slabs, there is also a temple of Kalbhairav carved in stone. Upon entering through the narrow doorway, one sees a Shivlinga there. In the temple of Vimleshwar It is a custom here to seek the blessings of the Kalbhairav Temple before proceeding. In front of the Kalbhairav cave, there is a large Tulsi Vrindavan, and facing this Tulsi Vrindavan is a Ganpati temple. Below the temple, there is a spring that flows throughout all twelve months of the year. A white, gum-like liquid often oozes from the stones of the caves located near the temple, which is colloquially referred to as ‘Pashan’. The villagers believe that the use of this ‘Pashan’ provides relief from asthma.

Two annual festivals are celebrated at this temple. One of them is Tripurari Purnima. On this day, lamps are lit on the lamp pillars in front of the temple. The other main festival is Mahashivratri. It continues from Magh Krishna Dashami to Amavasya. On Magh Krishna Dashami, the palanquin of Vimaleshwar is brought to the temple. From Dashami until Amavasya, devotees circumambulate the temple with the palanquin every night. After the circumambulation, a Kirtan program is held. A large fair is organized here on the day of Mahashivratri. On that day, the Tarang of the village deity Ravalnath is brought to the temple. The palanquin is carried in a procession around the temple. Bhajan programs continue in the temple throughout the day. On the day of Amavasya, people go to the nearby beach at Phanse for a holy sea bath along with the palanquin. The festival concludes at night with the Lalita program.

Wada village in Devgad taluka has long been famous for its adkittas (small betel nut cutters). Furthermore, this is the ancestral village of Pandit Mahadevshastri Joshi, the father of the Bharatiya Sanskruti Kosh, story and novelist Shripad Kale, and actress Pallavi Joshi.

Useful Information

• At a distance of 14 km from Devgad and 18 km from Vijaydurg
• ST bus facility from Devgad
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area.
• There are no accommodation and breakfast facilities available in the vicinity.