Prasanna Shree Ganesh Nal Damayanti Temple Nalvihara, Jaffrabad, Jalna

The Ganesh Nal Damayanti Temple in the village of Nalvihara, located in the Jafrabad taluka of Jalna district, is an ancient site with a rich mythological and historical background. This temple is believed to be approximately seven to eight hundred years old. The Ganesh idol housed within this temple, based on the legend of King Nala and Queen Damayanti, holds great significance among devotees. The temple is situated on a high plinth at the confluence of two streams in Nalvihara village. The Jafrabad region, nestled at the confluence of the Purna and Khelna rivers, holds historical context related to the Battle of Assaye in 1803 between the Marathas and the British. Due to this historical and mythological heritage, the temple is considered a major place of worship in the entire region.

In texts like the ‘Matsya Purana’ and ‘Vayu Purana’, King Nala is mentioned as a historical monarch in the lineage of the kings of the Nishadha Kingdom. A complete description of this story is found in the ‘Vanaparva’ of the ‘Mahabharata’, composed by Maharishi Vyasa. When Yudhishthira was grief-stricken after losing his kingdom in the game of dice, Maharishi Brihadasva narrated this story to console and encourage him. According to this legend, Damayanti, the daughter of King Bhishmaka of the Vidarbha Kingdom, fell in love with King Nala of the Nishadha Kingdom. During their Swayamvara, Indra and other deities entered in the guise of King Nala, but through the strength of her unwavering love, Damayanti placed the garland around Nala’s neck and chose him as her husband. In Sanskrit literature, the epic ‘Naishadhiya Charitam’, composed by the poet Sriharsha, provides a detailed description of this story up to the marriage of Nala and Damayanti.

After their marriage, Nala’s brother Pushkara challenged him to a game of dice. Failing to perceive the deceit in his brother’s heart, King Nala lost his kingdom in the game. It was due to the unrighteousness of this game that Kali found an opportunity to enter King Nala’s body, causing him to endure great suffering. Due to this crisis, he left his kingdom with his queen, wearing only the clothes on their backs, and retreated into the forest. While wandering, the King arrived at this place, which was part of the Dandakaranya forest, and began living on the banks of a stream. It is because King Nala resided in this area that the village later came to be known as ‘Nalvihara’, and this site became the main seat of the temple. It was here that King Nala and Damayanti installed and worshipped Lord Ganesha, which is why the temple is named the ‘Nal Damayanti Ganesh Temple’. By worshipping Ganesha here, and through the strength of Damayanti’s devotion and Nala’s virtuous deeds, they overcame the influence of Kali. It was through this spiritual strength that King Nala later regained his kingdom.

This ancient temple has been renovated and expanded in recent times. The town of Jafrabad, which is the taluka headquarters and surrounded by historical fortifications, houses many ancient temples and structures. During the famous Battle of Assaye in 1803 between the Marathas and the British, the area was used by the army of British Colonel Stevenson. There is a paved road leading to this temple, which is located a short distance from the village. Two separate streams flow on both sides of the temple. It is said that the water in one of these streams is cold, while the water in the other is warm. Locals believe that the cold stream symbolizes Damayanti and the warm stream symbolizes King Nala. The temple is situated on a high stone plinth at the confluence of these two streams.

The architecture of the temple is primarily divided into a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). This enclosed assembly hall has windows for light and ventilation. One enters the Garbhagriha from the assembly hall. Inside the Garbhagriha, there are three consecutive niches on a stone pedestal against the back wall. In the first niche is a Trimukhi Dattatreya, while the middle niche houses the vermilion-smeared stone idol of Shri Ganesha, installed by King Nala and Queen Damayanti. The third niche contains a stone sculpture of Queen Damayanti in a reclining posture with King Nala sitting beside her. This sculpture relates to the ‘Nalopakhyana’ narrated by Maharishi Vyasa in the Vanaparva of the Mahabharata. According to it, after Nala’s brother Pushkara deceitfully usurped his kingdom, Nala and Damayanti went into the forest with only the clothes they were wearing. While wandering there, King Nala saw birds with golden wings, which were actually dice influenced by Kali. The hunger-stricken King threw his only garment over them to catch them, but the birds flew away with the cloth, mocking the King’s plight. Desperate and unclothed, Nala tore half of Damayanti’s garment to cover his own body. Thinking that Damayanti should be spared the hardships of the forest and return to her father, King Nala left her alone in the forest while she was in a deep sleep at night. Thereafter, he began working as a charioteer named ‘Bahuka’ in the court of King Rituparna. Upon waking, a grief-stricken Damayanti faced many hardships but, maintaining her chastity, safely reached her father, King Bhishmaka, in the Vidarbha Kingdom. The stone sculpture of Queen Damayanti and King Nala in a reclining posture, carved in the third niche of the Ganesh temple’s sanctum, bears witness to this mythological event.

The roof of the Garbhagriha features a six-layered circular Shikhara (spire). The lower five layers of the Shikhara each contain twelve niches. These niches are carved with idols of various deities and saints. Each niche is separated by lotus motifs. The upper layer of the Shikhara tapers towards the top, crowned by two Amalakas placed one above the other, topped by a Kalasha. Beside the temple, on the bank of the stream, stands an ancient Banyan tree; it is believed that King Nala and Queen Damayanti rested here for the night. There is an old Shiva Linga at the roots of this tree. A short distance away, on the bank of the stream, is a small temple dedicated to Mahadeva. This temple, consisting only of a Garbhagriha, houses a Shiva Linga on the floor, and there are idols of Mahadeva and Parvati on a stone pedestal against the back wall of the sanctum.

Maghi Ganesh Jayanti is the main annual festival celebrated at this temple. Every year, an Akhand Harinam Saptah is organized in the temple during the month of Margashirsha. During the ten-day Ganeshotsav in the month of Bhadrapada, the temple sees a large influx of devotees for darshan. Various programs are also organized in the temple during Mahashivratri and the holy month of Shravan. During all these festivals, bhajans, kirtans, and pravachans (religious discourses) are held at the temple. Many devotees from the surrounding areas visit for darshan during these times. The temple remains crowded with devotees on every Sankashti Chaturthi and every Tuesday. Devotees can visit the temple for darshan daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 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