Prasanna Shree Mahamai Devi Temple Tetwali, Dapoli, Ratnagiri

The Mahamai Devi of Tetavali in the Dapoli taluka of Ratnagiri district is renowned as the ‘Goddess who rushes to the call of her devotees.’ Situated near a Nandruk tree within a sacred grove (Devrai), this Goddess is the primary village deity of Tetavali. Once every three years, this awakened (Jagrut) Goddess visits the Zolai Devi at the nearby village of Gavatale for a five-day stay at her maternal home. Many devotees from Mumbai, Pune, and various parts of the state gather for the ceremonies held to send her to her maternal home and to bring her back to the temple. 

The legend of this temple states that during the reign of the Dravidian kings, to avoid desecration during foreign invasions, all the idols from the ancient temple were hidden in the hollow of a Nandruk tree in the dense forest. Over time, the Goddess appeared in a villager’s dream and said, “I wish to reside here. Build a temple at this very spot and consecrate me.” Consequently, a tiled temple made of laterite stone was built near the Nandruk tree in this sacred grove. Over time, the forest here disappeared. The temple attained its current form after the renovation carried out in 2012.

The temple is located on the road going towards Unhavare from Vakavali on the Dapoli–Khed route. The temple is surrounded by a laterite stone wall and has a spacious courtyard. This RCC-constructed temple consists of a Darshan Mandap, Sabha Mandap, and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The temple is situated on a plinth two feet above the ground. The Sabha Mandap here is in the form of an Ardha Mandap. In the Garbhagriha, on a high pedestal, there are stone idols of the goddesses Somaya, Mahamai, Kaleshri, Manai, and Dhakti Kalkai, arranged from left to right. All these ancient idols are in a standing position and are depicted holding weapons. The main spire (Kalash) of the temple is above the Garbhagriha, and there is a smaller spire above the Sabha Mandap.

Navratri Utsav, Shimgotsav, and Ganeshotsav are celebrated with great enthusiasm in the temple. During these festivals, silver masks (Rupa) are placed on all the idols. This ritual is known as ‘Lene Chadhavane’ (adorning the Goddess). The temple is attractively illuminated during the festivals. During Navratri, the Goddess is kept awake (Jagar) until Vijayadashami. For this, turns have been assigned to all the wards of the village. Women who have married and moved out of the village make it a point to come here during this festival to offer the ‘Oti’ to the Goddess. Vows (Navas) are made and fulfilled at this time. Programs like Bhajans, Kirtans, Jakhadi dance, and Garba are held during the festivals. On Vijayadashami, the villagers first offer gold (Apta leaves) to the Goddess and then distribute it among themselves. During Shimgotsav, the Goddess’s palanquin moves through the village only after receiving her consent (Kaul). To seek her consent, the buds of male papaya flowers are used. Before starting village activities like harvesting, gathering firewood, or cutting grass, the Goddess’s consent is sought first. These tasks begin only after receiving her approval.

The ceremony of sending the Goddess to Zolai Devi at Gavatale for a five-day stay at her maternal home once every three years is an important event here. For this, the Goddess is adorned with various garments and ornaments and is ceremoniously taken to the Zolai Mata temple at Gavatale for a five-day stay. After her five-day stay there, she is brought back to the temple with great fanfare. Along with all the villagers, the migrant workers settled in various parts of the state for jobs and business make it a point to visit the village for this ceremony.

Along with its temples, Dapoli is famous for its great personalities! That is why the Dapoli taluka is called a ‘mine of human gems.’ Dapoli has given ‘gems’ like Lokmanya Tilak, Sane Guruji’s mother, freedom fighter Ganesh Gopal Athalye, Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Bharat Ratna Pandurang Vaman Kane, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s wife Ramai, and the renowned art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery