Vibrant nightlife, premium lifestyle, stunning natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage, that's what come to travellers' minds when they plan a trip to Maharashtra. However, a lesser-known fact of this state is that it is an exceptional religious destination, attracting millions of devotees from all around the world. Are you intrigued to explore the spiritual element of Maharashtra? Read ahead to uncover the "Top 10 Most Famous Temples of Maharashtra," discovering their historical and sacred significance. Let's begin with the list:
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, also renowned as Shri Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir, is one of Mumbai's most prominent Hindu temples. Built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on November 19, 1801, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and also features a small mandap with a shrine for Siddhi Vinayak ("Ganesha who grants your wish"). Devotees believe that praying at this temple will concretize their wishes. Moreover, it receives millions of donations every year, making it Mumbai's richest temple trust.
Being more than 1200 years old (believed to be constructed during the 9th century CE) and considered one of twelve Shiva temples built by King Jhanjha, Shree Amruteshwar Temple. It is one of the top pilgrimage destinations of Maharashtra, attracting millions of Shiva devotees from all across the globe. This temple boasts a hot spring below the Shiv Linga, intricate carvings, detailed stonework, Shilahara dynasty architectural brilliance and style, and many other exquisite features.
"Kopeshwar" means "Shiva." The Kopeshwar Temple is a religious site dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the 12th century by artisans of the Shilahara dynasty, making it one of India's ancient temples. Besides its historical significance, this temple is renowned for its architectural brilliance. It features intricate carvings depicting Hindu mythology stories and everyday life. This star-shaped temple comprises four sections, including the Garbha Griha, Sabha Mandapa, and Swargam Napa.
See also: Famous Temples in Karnataka
The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple stands as a highly sacred site of Lord Shiva, featuring one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. This temple's Jyotirlinga is one-of-a-kind because it consists of three faces that symbolize the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Moreover, the temple houses a myriad of monasteries and samadhis of saints. It is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus, especially Shaivaites (devotees of Shiva). It is built on a Gajapatta, a platform of 92 carved elephants.
Shri Walkeshwar Temple, also called the "Baan Ganga Temple," is situated at the most towering point in Mumbai and shares close proximity to the Banganga Tank. This Lord Shiva temple is one of the oldest temples in the city, built in 1127 AD by Lakshman Prabhu. Featuring a serene atmosphere and intricate architecture, it is a prominent destination for pilgrims, especially during the full moon and new moon. Moreover, it is believed that this temple is where Lord Rama made a Shiva lingam of sand.
Also renowned as "Jejuri-gad," Shri Khandoba Temple, or the Khandoba Temple of Jejuri, is one of Maharashtra's most famous Hindu pilgrimage centres. It is symbolized as a "Kuldaivata" for several farming families, the nomadic Dhangar tribe of Maharashtra and the Deccan region, and Brahmins. Legends and folklore of Jejuri believed that Khandoba was a human Avatar of Bhagwan Shiva who lived in and ruled this region.
See also: Famous Temples in Madhya Pradesh
The Bhimashankar Temple serves as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, a key pilgrimage centre, and a wildlife sanctuary. It is located in the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which features rare plants and animals. Pilgrims often visit this religious site for spiritual enlightenment and the purification of their souls, attracting thousands of devotees annually, especially during Mahashivaratri.
Shree Ballaleshwar Temple is one of the eight temples (Ashtavinayak) of the God Ganesha. It is named after the young devotee Ballal, whose indefatigable devotion is believed to have compelled Ganesha to manifest there. This makes the temple particularly substantial for devotees seeking blessings related to devotion and perseverance. Another uniqueness of this temple is that it is the only temple where Ganesha is called "Ballaleshwar."
Shri Tulja Bhavani Temple was built in the 12th century CE by Maratha Mahamandaleshwara Māradadeva of the Kadamb dynasty. It is said that the founder of the Maratha empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, used to visit this temple frequently to seek blessings. It is also a holy abode of the Goddess Shakti (Shakti Peetha). Moreover, the architecture of this temple is immensely enchanting, with captivating paintings on the walls and ceilings.
See also: Famous Temples in Delhi
Shree Chintamani Vinayaka Temple is one of the "Ashtavinayaka" (the eight revered shrines of Ganesha) in Maharashtra. The temple legend describes how Lord Ganesha retrieved the wish-fulfilling jewel "Chintamani" here for his devotee. Furthermore, it has immense historical significance because it is believed that the Peshwa rulers, particularly Madhavrao Peshwa, considered this temple highly crucial and contributed enormously to its overall development.