Ancient Khandoba Mandir (Prati Jejuree) Delaavadee, Daund, Pune

The famous Khandoba temple is located in the village of Delwadi in the Daund taluka of Pune district. As it is a replica of the Khandoba temple in Jejuri, this place is also known as ‘Prati-Jejuri’. The temple is situated on a small hill near the confluence of the Mula, Mutha, and Bhima rivers. This area is known as ‘Malhar Gad’. A unique feature of this temple is that it has 105 kalash (spires).

The legend of the temple states that a boy from Wanjarwadi, near Delwadi, used to walk 18 kos (approximately 36 miles) every night to Jejuri to visit Lord Khandoba, returning home after seeking his blessings. This was his daily routine for many years. Pleased with the boy’s devotion, Khandoba asked him, “You are so devoted; what boon shall I grant you?” The boy requested, “Grant me something so that I may worship you daily.” The Lord immediately agreed and said, “Dile” (It is granted). From then on, Lord Khandoba, Banai, and Mhalasa began to reside on the Delwadi fort. As the Lord had said “Dile,” the village was originally named ‘Dile-wadi’, which later became ‘Delwadi’.

The Khandoba temple is ancient and built in the Hemadpanti style. Located in a nature-rich area, this temple has been granted ‘C’ grade pilgrimage status by the state government. One can reach the temple on the fort by climbing the stairs from the main entrance in Delwadi village. Upon reaching the fort, there is an archway leading to the temple. The temple is surrounded by a stone fortification wall about 500 feet long and 18 feet high. There are entrances on three sides of this fortification: one to the south, one to the north, and the main entrance facing east. There are three deepmalas (lamp towers) in the temple premises. There is a nagarkhana (drum house) above the main entrance, where the nagara and chaughada are played every morning and evening.

There is a Nandi-mandapa in front of the temple. The temple structure consists of a sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The sabhamandapa is spacious. On both sides of the sanctum are rooms built with old stone masonry. The room on the left is the resting place of the deity. In the sabhamandapa, there are two statues of horses, which are the vehicles of Lord Khandoba. On the lintel of the sanctum entrance, there is an image of Lord Ganesha in the center, flanked by carved flowers. Inside the sanctum are the idols of Khandoba, Mhalasa, and Banai. In the temple courtyard, there are smaller temples dedicated to Shankar and Banai.

During the month of Margashirsha, the Khandoba Yatra (fair) is held at this temple on the occasion of Champashasthi. Thousands of devotees come here for darshan during this time. The deity’s palanquin is carried in a procession through the entire village, during which devotees perform various traditional roles. The night before the main yatra, the ‘Telhanda’ ceremony takes place, in which the idols of the deities are bathed in oil. On the day of the main yatra, a mahapuja and mahabhishek are performed, followed by the talibhandar. Waghyas and Muralis from various villages come to perform their arts in the temple. For the naivedya (offering), dishes like bhaji-bhakri, spring onions, and roasted eggplant (vangyache bharit) are prepared, and puran poli is also offered to the Lord. There is a large crowd of devotees fulfilling their vows (navas) at this time. Devotees fulfill their vows by showering turmeric (bhandara) and coconut pieces. The entire temple is beautifully illuminated during this festival.

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