Shri Rameshwar Temple / Kalika Devi Temple Kalbadevi, , Ratnagiri

Situated on the banks of the creek in the picturesque village of Kalbadevi in Ratnagiri district, the Swayambhu Rameshwar Temple is one of the ancient temples of Konkan. The Rameshwar Temple, along with the adjacent Kalika Devi shrine, is a place of deep faith for the devotees here. Legend has it that Goddess Kalika arrived here from Goa, floating across the sea on a stone. The magnificent bell weighing about five hundred kilograms in the Rameshwar Temple and the one hundred and fifty kilogram Sagar-gota (sea stone) in the courtyard are the special attractions here. The Palkhi procession held on Mahashivratri is the major festival celebrated here.

The legend of the Rameshwar Temple states that, in the past, a cow belonging to a villager would release its milk at the very spot where the temple now stands. As the cow would not yield milk upon returning home, the owner, with the help of some villagers, decided to keep a watch on it one day. They observed the cow releasing its milk at that specific location. When they began digging the ground with a pickaxe, they discovered a Shiva Linga there. As the pickaxe struck the Linga, blood began to flow from it. Following this, the villagers sought forgiveness from the Lord and built a temple at that site. An inscription found within the temple premises mentions that Mahadev Vasudev Barve, a Mukadam from Nevare, renovated this temple in 1889. The temple attained its present form after a renovation that took place a few years ago.

The village of Kalbadevi in Ratnagiri taluka was formerly known as Pusale. However, due to the presence of Goddess Kalika here, it came to be known as Kalbadevi. One can reach here from Ratnagiri via the Sakhartar road, a short distance from Mirya port. Upon entering through the temple arch in the village, a road surrounded by lush greenery leads directly to the temple. This tiled-roof temple, situated along the banks of the creek, is enclosed by a fortification of laterite stones, and the courtyard is paved with the same laterite stone slabs. In front of the temple stand two large stone lamp towers. Within the temple premises, a one hundred and fifty kilogram weight There is a stone shaped like a Sagargoti. It is said that to this day, no single person has ever been able to lift it.

The Rameshwar Temple, situated on a plinth four feet above the ground, consists of a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antaral (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). One enters the Sabhamandap after climbing eight steps from below. Built of black stone, the Sabhamandap of this temple features wooden pillars with intricate carvings on the arches above them. The Sabhamandap here is in the form of an Ardhamandap, and for the convenience of devotees, there are two-foot-high stone benches known as Kakshasanas built into the outer walls. In the Sabhamandap, there is a brass bell from the Portuguese era weighing 500 kilograms. The year 1737 is engraved on this bell. Records indicate that the Sardar Patwardhans of Sangli sent this bell via camel through the agency of Visajipant Lele. Villagers state that its sound can be heard from a great distance. Beside the entrance of the Garbhagriha, on the right side, is Nandi, in front of which is an idol of Ganesha, and beside this idol is an image of the Goddess mounted on a tiger. There is beautiful carving on the entrance of the Garbhagriha. Inside the Garbhagriha, there is a large Swayambhu Shivling made of a single monolithic stone. A continuous Abhishekam is performed on this Shivling from a Galantika (dripping vessel) placed above.

Grand celebrations are held at the Rameshwar Temple on the occasions of Mahashivratri and Tripurari Purnima. The Rameshwar Saptah commences here on the first Monday of the holy month of Shravan. The Saptah concludes on the second Monday with the Shri Dev Rameshwar Palkhi Pradakshina ceremony. During the Palkhi Pradakshina, the deity is seated in a palanquin and carried in a procession around the entire village. The palanquin travels directly from the temple to the settlement located at the farthest end of the village. The main ceremony begins from there. During this time, the palanquin visits all twelve Wadas of the village. Decorations are arranged in every Wada to welcome the deity. Along the way, devotees seek the blessings of the deity during the Palkhi procession. In the final stage, after the women perform worship, prayers are offered to the deity. Afterwards, the Palkhi arrives at the temple. The ceremony concludes after performing five circumambulations around both temples. There is a large settlement of the Bhandari community in the village. Although rice and fish are their staple diet, no one in the village consumes non-vegetarian food during this week.

Adjacent to the Rameshwara temple is the temple of Kalika Devi. The legend associated with this Goddess is that she arrived in the village from Goa, floating across the sea on a stone. Thereafter, she appeared in a vision to a person from the village and instructed him to install her in a suitable place. During the British rule, a person in the village was involved in the liquor business. The police received information that his liquor consignment had arrived in the village by boat. The police began searching the village to seize it. At that moment, he prayed to the Goddess, and upon reaching the spot, the police saw grain instead of liquor. A few years ago, the villagers duly installed a new idol of the Goddess in place of the original one. The old idol has been placed in a small shrine on the right side near the entrance. Consequently, two idols of the Goddess are found in this temple.

The temple of Mother Kalika has a tall white spire. The temple is structured with a main assembly hall and a sanctum sanctorum. In front of the temple stands a stone lamp pillar. Inside the sanctum sanctorum is an idol of the Goddess carved from black stone. The Goddess is renowned for fulfilling vows and is especially known for watching over the women whose ancestral homes are in this village. During the festival of Navratri, thousands of devotees come to seek the blessings of the Goddess. A temple has also been built in the village to house the stone upon which the Goddess floated into the village. This temple, located about one hundred meters from the Kalika Devi temple, was built by Balwant Ramchandra Mayekar of the village. Inside, the stone is kept within a glass case.

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