Pavitra Aryadurga Temple Devihasol, Rajapur, Ratnagiri

The Aryadurga Temple in Devihasol, Rajapur Taluka, Ratnagiri District, is a revered place of worship for many devotees. The yatra (pilgrimage fair) held on Margashirsha Vadya Ashtami and Navami (the eighth and ninth days of the dark fortnight of Margashirsha) is the largest in Rajapur Taluka and one of the major festivals in Ratnagiri District. Thousands of devotees come to participate in the sacred meeting ceremony of Aryadurga and her sister Navdurga during this festival. Aryadurga Devi, the Gramdevata (village deity) of Devihasol, is renowned as a goddess who fulfills vows.

The original abode of Aryadurga Devi is in Ankola, Karnataka. The legend of the temple states that the Desai family from Palsule village, near Devihasol, who were devout worshippers of the Goddess, would visit the Aryadevi Temple in Ankola every year for darshan. This practice continued until their old age. One day, while having darshan of the Goddess at the Ankola temple, they bid farewell to the Devi, saying this would be their last pilgrimage, and set off for Palsule. While resting on the way, the Devi appeared to them in a dream vision and told them that there was no need for them to come to Ankola again. She said, “I am coming behind you, but you must not look back.” As Palsule village came into sight, they inadvertently looked back, and the Devi revealed herself. However, because they had not kept their word, the Devi vanished there, and her footprints appeared on the rock.

Realizing that the Devi would not proceed further, the Desai family built a small temple there and began worshipping the self-manifested footprints of the Goddess. Subsequently, the temple underwent renovations from time to time. After the renovation in 1971, the temple acquired its present form. It is said that this temple dates back to the Pandava era and the original name of the village was Hasol. However, because the Devi came to the village for her devotees, it was named Devihasol.

The temple’s architecture follows the traditional Konkani style. This tiled-roof temple is built with laterite stone. The temple comprises a Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antarala (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Sabhamandap is of the ardhamandap (half-hall) type and features stone benches for devotees to sit. The stone pillars in the Antarala and the areas above them display intricate carvings. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a stone platform, there is a three-foot-tall marble idol of Aryadevi. This four-armed idol is in the form of Mahishasuramardini. In three of her hands, she holds a trident, a sword, and a shield, and in one hand, the head of Mahishasura. Adorned with a golden crown, a nose ring (nath), various ornaments, and a saree, the idol has a silver prabhaval (halo) behind it, featuring carved designs. Below this idol, in a small niche within the stone platform, are the self-manifested padukas (footprints) of the Devi.

Near the Aryadurga Temple is the Jakadevi Temple. Aryadevi and Jakadevi are the Gramdevatas of Devihasol village. Vows are made to Jakadevi for the blessing of a child. If the vows are fulfilled, it is customary for devotees to offer a palana (cradle) to Jakadevi during the festival. The Navratri festival is celebrated in the temple from Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Dashami. On the day of Ghatasthapana, all deities are adorned with rupes (masks), and then the puja rituals are performed. A grand yatra of the Devi takes place on Margashirsha Vadya Ashtami and Navami. This is when the meeting ceremony of Aryadurga Devi and her sister Navdurga occurs. On the first day of the yatra, according to tradition, the Khele (performers wearing masks of various deities) from the Aryadurga Devi Temple are sent to Bhalavali, some distance away, as a return gesture for Navdurga. These Khele, as per custom, carry sarees, blouses, gifts, and items of honor for the Devi.

Before Navdurga is brought for her meeting with Aryadurga, her rupes are affixed in her temple. The Devi, arriving in a palanquin, stops at the nearby Khambeshwar Temple in the evening. After offering naivedya (food offering) and making supplications there, the palanquin proceeds to meet Aryadurga. Approximately 100 meters from the Aryadurga Temple, there are many rock carvings. The palanquin arrives at one of these rock carvings (locally called Mand). It is said that during the yatra, vipers or similar snakes appear in a hollow in the center of this Mand. According to tradition, the village dignitaries, without looking into the hollow, directly put their hands in, take out the snake, wave it over the Devi, and then release it. Although these snakes are poisonous, they have not bitten anyone to date.

After this ritual, the villagers of Bhalavali hand over Navdurga to the villagers of Devihasol. The palanquin then proceeds to meet Aryadurga. At the entrance of the Aryadurga Temple, after Navdurga is welcomed with kumkum tilak, the two goddesses embrace, and Navdurga takes her place beside Aryadurga Devi. On the second day evening, Navdurga returns to Bhalavali. Thousands of devotees from Maharashtra, as well as Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, come to witness this sacred meeting of the two sisters. In addition to daily pujas, devotees can perform rituals such as Saptashati Path, Navchandi Hom, Shatachandi Hom, Devi Abhishek, and Devi Ekadashani by paying a certain fee. (Contact: Temple Trust President: 7021739992, Secretary: 9223147684, Atmaram Gurav, Priest: 7588916357) 

Apart from the Aryadurga Temple in Devihasol, there are many rock carvings in the vicinity. According to scholars, these rock carvings are ten thousand years old. Some distance from the temple, there is a well about 40 feet deep, made of laterite stone. This well is said to be from the Pandava era. It contains water throughout all twelve months. For hundreds of years, the water from this well has been used for the worship of Aryadurga Devi, and the same tradition continues today. There is a Bhakta Niwas (devotee accommodation) in the Aryadurga Temple complex, providing lodging and dining facilities for devotees. (Contact: Mahendra Vichare, Manager: 9404151883)

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