Shri Mohatadevi Temple Mohatagad, Pathardi, Ahilyanagar

The temple of Jagdamba, situated at Mohatagad in Pathardi Taluka, is famous as the abode of the goddess who is considered an incarnation of Renuka Mata of Mahurgad, one of the three and a half Shaktipeeths of the Goddess in Maharashtra. She is renowned as ‘Mohatadevi,’ the goddess who resides on Mohatagad. The idol of the goddess here is Swayambhu (self-manifested), and devotees believe this to be a highly awakened and powerful site. This temple is one of the most prominent temples in Maharashtra. 

The legend of the temple states that in ancient times, this region suffered from a severe drought, causing great suffering to all. To ensure the welfare of the world, the Navnaths performed a great Yajna and worshipped Jagdamba Devi. Many sages and seers were also invited for this purpose. Through this great Yajna, the deities were pleased, and rainfall commenced. At the time of the Purnahuti (final offering) ceremony, a divine power manifested from the sacrificial fire pit. That great power was Jagdamba Renuka Mata. After the goddess was worshipped with due rituals, the Navnaths requested her to stay there for the welfare of the world. The Goddess promised that when the right time came, she would manifest again and reside there. Years later, Jagdamba manifested here and established herself. This very Jagdamba later became famous as Mohatadevi. 

According to another legend, Bansi Baba Dahiphale, a supreme devotee of Renuka Mata, used to make a pilgrimage to Shri Kshetra Mahurgad every year. After performing the worship, Abhishek, and offering a saree and blouse to Renuka Mata, he would return to Mohata after 2 months. Later, due to old age, it became difficult for him to perform the pilgrimage on foot. He prayed to Renuka Mata, “Mother, do not let me be separated from you.” Then, one day, the Baba’s cow went missing. After a long search, he found the cow on the hilltop. When the Baba went up the hill, he saw that the cow had let down her milk. Upon looking there, he found the Taandala (aniconic stone idol) of the Goddess. Subsequently, the villagers of Mohata went to the pilgrimage site of Paithan, brought holy water from the Ganges in a Kavadi, and performed an Abhishek of the Goddess with that water. That day was Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi.

Since long ago, on Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi, villagers and thousands of devotees walk to Paithan to bring the holy Ganges water in a Kavadi and perform the Abhishek of the Goddess. This tradition continues to this day. After this Abhishek, the Mohatadevi Yatra (fair) takes place. During this time, a Palkhi (palanquin) procession goes from Mohata village to the temple. A unique feature of this procession is that thousands of women sweep the path ahead of the Palkhi with their sarees. The Sharadiya Navratri festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm on Mohatagad. This is a powerful site, and devotees believe that the Goddess grants their wishes. Therefore, thousands of women observe the Ghatasthapana (fasting and rituals) here during Navratri to fulfill their vows. 

The people of this village do not sell milk, curd, or ghee. Regarding this, it is said that during the Mughal era, some buffaloes from a neighboring village wandered into Mohata village by mistake. The villagers kept them tied here, thinking their owners would come and take them away; however, no one came for many days. This news reached the Mughal officials, who ordered the arrest of the villagers on charges of stealing the buffaloes. To escape the crisis of being arrested despite no fault of their own, they prayed to Mohatadevi. “We will not sell the milk or ghee of our cows and buffaloes, and we will not consume it without offering it to you first; please resolve this crisis.” Mohatadevi heard the call of her devotees. When the officials arrived the next day, they saw that the black color of all the buffaloes had turned white. The officials realized these were not the same buffaloes they had seen the previous day. They canceled the arrest order. Since then, the villagers here do not sell milk, curd, or ghee. Furthermore, they do not consume them without offering them to the Goddess first.

The Mohatadevi temple complex is spread over a spacious 10 acres. This grand temple was built at a cost of 25 crore rupees from donations given by devotees of the Goddess. Specific types of stones were brought from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, for this purpose. The temple, built in the South Indian style, has more than 25 sub-spires along with the main spire. Additionally, there are more than 100 idols of various goddesses in this temple. A queue arrangement for Darshan has been made in the main assembly hall, and the Swayambhu idol of Mohatadevi is installed on a large pedestal in the sanctum sanctorum.

In the five-story building located on the temple premises, there is a Bhakta Niwas (pilgrim accommodation), a dining hall, and the temple committee office. There is a separate assembly hall here for programs like Kirtan and Bhajan. Aarti is performed in the temple three times daily. Devotees can visit the temple and have Darshan of Mohatadevi from 5 in the morning until 10 at night. Mahaprasad is provided to devotees here from 12.25 to 2 in the afternoon and from 7.45 to 9 at night.

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