Jyotiba temple Kolhapur in Wadi Ratnagiri is a popular temple in Maharashtra. History says that Jyotiba with the help of Goddess Mahalaxmi killed devils!
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Location Address: Jyotiba Dongar, Wadi Ratnagiri, 21 kms northwest of Kolhapur, Maharashtra (India) – 416 229.
Jyotiba temple Kolhapur Information
Also popular as Kedareshwar temple, it is among the most famous deities in Maharashtra that lie 17 kms northwest of Kolhapur city. Temple is located on a high mountain that is at a height of 3124 feet above sea level. This temple is dedicated to god Jyotiba or Kedareshwar. Lord Jyotiba was a ruler of Deccan region of India hence also known as Dakhhancha Raja. It is in the beautiful vicinity of Panhala Fort hills.
The whole Jyotiba Temple complex turns pink from vermillion and the devotees perform a nice dance using “Sasankathi bamboo sticks” which is the holy symbol of Jyotiba. Sundays are considered to be auspicious days to visit Jyotiba temple Kolhapur. Devotees throw Gulal which is a pink colored sacred powder and chant chanting Jyotibachya Navane Changbhala. People apply Gulal on their foreheads and everywhere around the temple which looks beautiful. Men need to remove their shirt while going inside the temple.
©Praful Sawant
Celebrations
A huge number of people gather here on an annual fair that takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakha. Many devotees flock to this temple every day to seek blessings of Jyotiba. Newly married couple is advised to go to Jyotiba temple Kolhapur during the annual festival, it is considered good for blissful married life!
Chaitra Pournima is a major festival of this temple which is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. Now since last few years, a government has taken steps for the improvements of temple surroundings. Devotees throw ‘Pink Gulal’ up in the sky with the help of coconut shell. However, these shells are now banned by the government because people used to get hurt when the shell was thrown above.
©Rupesh Jadhav
Jyotiba Temple Kolhapur History
Jyotiba is considered as an incarnation of the holy Trinity-Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. According to legends, he was born to destroy the evil Ratnasur who had created terror among local people. Jyotiba also helped Goddess Mahalakshmi in destroying the evils. Jyotiba stayed here after wars with the demons on the Kolhapur Mountain.
Temple Architecture
There are 3 different temples at the same place. The original temple was built by Navji Saya. Then the present temple was built by Ranoji Shinde in 1730. The dimensions of this deity are (57 x 37 x 77) feet. The 2nd temple was built by Daulatrao Shinde in the year 1808 whose shrine measures (49 x 22 x 89) feet. Then the 3rd temple was built in1780 by Malji Nilam Panhalkar having Ramling of size (13 x 13 x 40) feet. The idol of Jyotiba has 4 hands. Some other small temples and light towers (Deep-Stambh) are also there in the temple complex.
©Yash Shetye
IMPORTANT TOURIST INFORMATION
Jyotiba temple Kolhapur Timings
Temple remains open every day from 05:00 am to 09:30 pm.
Time Required: Apart from Darshan Que, 2 hours are sufficient to explore temple & its surroundings!
Entry Fees: Temple authorities do not take any sort of entry charges to enter into the temple. Photography is also allowed inside the temple.
Nearby Restaurants / Eating Stuff: There are some eateries nearby Jyotiba temple Kolhapur or else you can have your food on the way to the temple from Kolhapur.
Staying Options / Accommodation: Many hotels are available in Kolhapur for accommodation purpose. You can easily find a hotel as per your convenience & budget!
How To Reach
Kolhapur city is situated on National Highway-4 that connects Mumbai to Bangalore. It has good connectivity with major cities in Maharashtra by road, railway and air. As the temple is close to Kolhapur, you can reach here by taking city transport.
- By Road: A large number of MSRTC and private buses ply between Kolhapur and other cities in Maharashtra. Kolhapur is 229 km away from Pune, 319 km away from Ahmednagar, 376 km away from Mumbai, 434 km away from Aurangabad, 511 km away from Nashik and 104 km away from Belgaon.
- Nearest Railway Station: Kolhapur station is the nearest station to reach a temple. The station is about 20 away from the temple. You can easily get a private vehicle like auto-rickshaws and cars outside the station till Jyotiba temple Kolhapur.
- Nearest Airport: Kolhapur airport is the closest airport to this temple.
Nearby Attractions:
- Mahalaxmi Temple
- Rankala Lake
- Kaneri Math
- Sidhhagiri Gramjivan Museum
- Panhala Fort
- New Palace Museum
- Shalini Palace
- Narsinhwadi (Narsobachi Wadi)
- Shri Chaitanyagiri Gagangiri Maharaj Math
- Pohale Caves: These are Buddhist caves dating back to 2nd century CE. Now they are converted into shrine of Lord Shiva and lie on the way to Jyotiba temple. Also known as Pandavleni caves (not of Nashik) , very few people have idea about this spot!
Map To Reach:
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Jyotiba temple Kolhapur is popular among huge number of devotees from all over the Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.