Divine Lakshmi Mallamardan Temple Veer Devpat, Chiplun, Ratnagiri

When we hear the name Sri Krishna, an image generally comes to mind of a deity playing the flute with a peacock feather tucked into His hair; however, the form of Krishna at Veer in Chiplun taluka is completely different. The Krishna here is the vanquisher of demons, which is why He came to be named Mallamardan. According to descriptions in the scriptures, Kansa had sent eight wrestlers (mallas) to kill Krishna. The Sri Krishna here is the one who defeated all of them at once. According to scholars, this idol is believed to be from the twelfth or thirteenth century, that is, the Shilahara period.

The legend behind this idol is that Lakshmismallamardan appeared in a dream to a man from the Devpatkar family and told him, “I am in the creek at Veer, take me out from there and build a temple.” Following this divine vision, a search was conducted and the idol was found in the creek. Afterwards, the villagers installed it on a hill near the village and built a small temple at that site. A few years later, the deity appeared in a dream to some of the villagers, telling them that a landslide was going to fall on this temple, so they should move Him from there. Accordingly, the villagers removed the idol from there and brought it to the present site. As the idol would budge no further from here, the villagers built a small temple at this very spot and consecrated the idol in it. As the deity had foretold in the dream, within a few days a landslide crashed onto the old temple and it was buried. The present temple has been renovated from time to time.

According to another legend, the idol of Lakshmismallamardan was originally white in colour. This deity could not tolerate any corruption whatsoever. If any corruption took place, the deity would burn Himself. Due to the deity thus burning Himself two to three times, this idol has turned a brick-red colour, while some believe that it acquired its present colour due to remaining in water for many years. It is said that if any kind of corruption takes place here, the water in the temple pond (kund) dries up. Following this, all the villagers gather together to ask the deity for forgiveness, and pour Panchagavya (cow’s milk, curd, cow urine, ghee and dung) into the pond. Thereafter, the pond fills up with water again.

The Lakshmismallamardan Temple in Veer village can be reached via the Chiplun-Savarde-Vahal-Shirimbe route. The temple is situated in the midst of hills in a nature-rich region. During the monsoon days, streams of water flowing towards the temple from all sides and the gurgling stream flowing past the temple make the surroundings look picturesque. The temple is located somewhat lower than the main road. The architectural design of the temple features a tiled roof, a two-storeyed open sabhamandapa (assembly hall), and a tall sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). Inside the sanctum sanctorum, on a raised platform, there is a large stone about six feet high and six feet wide. On it, in the middle, is Sri Krishna, and surrounding Him in a circular arrangement are eight wrestlers — such a rare idol is found here. Before slaying Kansa, Sri Krishna killed many wrestlers, hence He became Mallamardan. All these eight wrestlers can be seen as if forming a circle around Sri Krishna.

The idol of Sri Krishna has four hands. Three of those hands hold a mace (gada), conch shell (shankha), and discus (chakra), while one hand is holding a wrestler. In the lower part of the idol, Garuda is seen on the left and Balarama holding a plough in His hand is seen on the right, and such sculpting is visible in this idol. Behind the idol is a halo (prabhaval) and atop it is a makara-torana (decorative arch). In that arch are the idols of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Because of the sculpting of Goddess Lakshmi, this deity came to be named Lakshmismallamardan. The beauty of all the idols has been further enhanced by applying a diamond coating (vajralepa).

The main festival here is observed from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Trayodashi. The festival of Gokulashtami is also celebrated here on a large scale. Since the Peshwa era, this temple has received an annual stipend of twenty-five rupees, and there is a historical royal charter (sanad) regarding it. Lakshmismallamardan is the family deity (kuladaivat) of the Veerkar and Bhole families here. Apart from the temple, there are temples of Ratneshwar, Kedar, Vaghjai, Navlai, Someshwar, and Vardan Manai here. Near the temple of Goddess Vardan, there is a stone which is referred to as the ‘Vasa’ of Chandrarao More. The More family here had received the Javli region as an inam (grant) and the title of ‘Chandrarao’ during the Adilshahi period. This stone has been installed here in their memory.

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