Ancient Sai Nandanvan Shivalaya Chakur, uka Chakur, rict Latur

The Sai Nandanvan Shivalaya temple is situated at the taluka headquarters of Chakur in Latur district. This region, originally known as Chakrapur after being established by King Chakradhar in ancient times, was renamed Chakur over the course of time. Located about ۳۴ kilometers from Latur city on the Latur-Nanded state highway, this area has become a major center for religious and nature tourism. In ۱۹۹۹, a resolution was made to transform the barren and rocky land of this region. Through innovative water conservation experiments, afforestation was carried out here. In this very Nandanvan, this Shivalaya was established on ۱۶ July ۲۰۰۱, and the Shiva Linga was consecrated.

Chakur, which was previously included in Ahmedpur taluka, was an important commercial center. After the division of Ahmedpur, Chakur emerged as a new independent taluka. Marathwada is known as a traditionally drought-prone region with low rainfall. In such challenging weather conditions, social worker and government contractor Uttamrao Jadhav and his brother Shivajirao Jadhav, from Kalmuli near Chakur, resolved to turn this barren land into a paradise. Inspired by the life and work of the spiritual guru of Puttaparthi, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, these brothers took up the challenge in ۱۹۹۹ to transform the barren and infertile rocky land of Chakur. By implementing several innovative water conservation experiments, creating small water reservoirs, artificial ponds, and borewells, they planted and nurtured over one hundred thousand trees in this dry land. Where there was once not a trace of water on this rocky terrain, today there is dense forestation.

Latur district has a rich heritage of ancient history. The history of this city, which was the original capital of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, dates back to the time of King Dantidurga. The famous king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, Amoghavarsha I, was the ruler of ancient ‘Lattalur’, which is today’s Latur city, and his ancestors had established this city. After the reign of Vikramaditya VI of the Chalukya dynasty, his son Someshwara III ascended the throne. Someshwara wrote the treatise ‘Abhilashitartha Chintamani’. Due to this literary work, he was addressed as ‘Sarvajna Chakravarti’. An inscribed stone tablet in Latur district mentions the construction of the famous Papavinashi Devi temple here in Shaka ۱۰۴۹, which is ۱۱۲۷ AD. This region continued to be shaped under the rule of various powers such as the Yadavas of Devagiri, the Bahmani Sultanate, the Adil Shahi, and the Nizam of Hyderabad. After the end of the Nizam’s rule, this part was included in independent India on ۱۷ September ۱۹۴۸, and later, on ۱۶ August ۱۹۸۲, the Dharashiv district was divided to create the independent Latur district. This Sai Nandanvan and Shivalaya are located near Chakur city in this very district. The inauguration of this temple and the consecration of the Shiva Linga took place on ۱۶ July ۲۰۰۱. Thousands of devotees from across the country were present at that time. The idols in this temple were consecrated by the hands of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. At that time, he had predicted that, “This place will become as powerful as the Somnath Jyotirlinga in the future and will become famous as the ‘۱۳th Jyotirlinga’.”

There is a welcome arch on the road leading from the village to the temple. This path, passing through the forest, is adorned with greenery, and private vehicles can reach directly up to the temple. There is a courtyard in front of the temple, and parking facilities have been provided within this courtyard. There is a shop for worship materials and various types of trees here. Seating arrangements have been made for devotees under these trees. In the courtyard, there is a Tulsi Vrindavan, a Nandi sculpture, and a flagstaff about forty feet high, and there is also a pond in the front area.

The temple, structured with a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), is situated on a high plinth. The entire temple is in the shape of a Shiva Linga. The total length of the temple is ۲۶۰ feet and the height is ۱۰۰ feet. There are six steps at the entrance of the Sabha Mandap. On the platforms on both sides of these steps are elephant sculptures. The semi-open Sabha Mandap has railings built on the outer side. In these railings, there are circular pillars connected to each other by arched toranas. There is a tortoise sculpture on the floor in the Sabha Mandap. A Nandi idol is installed in front of the entrance of the Garbhagriha. The Garbhagriha is ahead of the Sabha Mandap. The entrance of the Garbhagriha has ornate wooden door frames and shutters. In the Garbhagriha, there is a Shiva Pindi about nine feet long on the floor. It is said that the weight of this Pindi is nine tons. There is a brass replica of a serpent holding a canopy over the Shiva Pindi. Behind the Pindi, on a Vajra Peetha (throne), is an idol of Venu Gopala Sri Krishna in the center. On the left and right sides of the Vajra Peetha are idols of Sathya Sai Baba and Shirdi Sai Baba. On both sides of the Vajra Peetha are large-sized images of Sathya Sai Baba. There is a Linga-stone shaped spire on the ceiling of the Garbhagriha.

In the courtyard, next to the Shivalaya, is the Tirupati Balaji temple. This temple is also structured with a Sabha Mandap and a Garbhagriha. There are eleven steps at the entrance of the Sabha Mandap, which is higher than the courtyard. The enclosed Sabha Mandap has ventilators for light and air. In front of the entrance of the Garbhagriha, on the right and left sides on a Vajra Peetha, are black stone idols of Garuda and Hanuman. In the Garbhagriha, there is an idol of Tirupati Balaji on a Vajra Peetha. Apart from this, there are small temples of Gayatri Devi and Parvati Devi in the courtyard. A ‘Vrindavan Amusement and Water Park’ has been built at some distance from the temple.

A large crowd of devotees gathers here during many festivals and celebrations throughout the year such as Shri Ram Navami, Ashadhi Ekadashi, Gokulashtami, Sri Krishna Janmotsav, Mahashivratri, Shravani Monday, Nag Panchami, Sharadiya Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, etc. During festivals, traditional programs like Bhajans and Kirtans are organized in the temple. Special arrangements for Mahaprasad are made for devotees during festivals. Tourists visiting the water park invariably visit the temple here. Devotees can have Darshan here every day from ۵ AM to ۹ PM.

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