Prasanna Shree Banai Temple Banvas, Palam, parbhani

In Banvas, Palam Taluka of Parbhani District, there is an ancient shrine dedicated to Banai, the second consort of Shri Khandoba, the revered deity of Maharashtra. This village is situated on the borders of three districts: Latur, Nanded, and Parbhani. The local populace holds a firm belief that Banai Devi here is extremely awakened and is a primary deity who fulfills the vows of her devotees. Many couples offer vows to Banai Devi for the blessing of a child. Upon the fulfillment of such a vow, that is, after the birth of a child, a unique ritual is performed here. It is customary to place the newborn in a wooden cradle and carry it through the water tank in front of the temple, known as the Kallol. From there, the child is taken to the shrine of Khandoba within the tank for blessings.

According to Puranic tales and folk traditions, Banai, the second consort of Shri Khandoba, is also known by the name ‘Banu’. She is said to be the daughter of Lord Indra. In her previous birth, she was a handmaiden named Jaya to Devi Parvati. A famous legend states that due to a promise made by Parvati in that birth, Banai was married to Khandoba in her subsequent birth. In her next birth, she was found by a shepherd near Chandanpuri, in Malegaon, Nashik District. The village of Chandanpuri is referred to as ‘Prati Jejuri’. That shepherd raised Banai. Captivated by Banai’s beauty, Shri Khandoba assumed the form of a shepherd and served in her shepherd’s household. Thereafter, he won Banai over, married her, and brought her to Jejuri. Upon Banai’s arrival in Jejuri, Khandoba’s first consort, Mhalasa Devi, became displeased. To resolve this domestic dispute between the two, Khandoba gave the upper part of Jejuri hill to Mhalasa Devi and the lower part to Banai. For this very reason, Mhalasa Devi’s temple is located on the upper part of Jejuri Fort, while Banai’s shrine is at the foot of the fort. It is said that once, after a quarrel with Shri Khandoba in Malegaon, Banai Devi became upset and came to Banvas. The story goes that Khandoba also came here to appease her. However, as Banai refused to return to Jejuri, Khandoba also settled in the Shiva temple here for her sake. The village of Banvas is approximately आठ kilometres from Malegaon on the Gangakhed road.

The structure of Banai’s temple in Banvas is very simple. In the courtyard in front of the temple, a single-storey assembly hall has been built. There is a flight of steps to enter this hall. Directly in front of the courtyard is an ancient Shiva temple. Inside the main Banai temple, four to five ancient idols are kept. Among all these idols, the vermillion-smeared standing idol in the centre is that of Banai Devi. The temple has a shikhara (spire). On all four sides of this shikhara, sculptures of tigers are carved. In the devakoshthakas (niches) on the shikhara, idols of various deities are seen carved. A tin roof has been installed on the front part of the temple. Directly in front of the temple is a large water tank. This tank is locally known as ‘Kallol’. This Kallol has water throughout all बारा months, though the water level recedes somewhat during the summer days. Within this Kallol, at some distance, there is a stone platform. It is said that the shrine of Shri Khandoba is near the Champa tree on this platform.

In this temple, the religious rituals for the fulfillment of vows are performed in a distinctive manner. Devotees who make vows to Banai for the blessing of a child bring the child here for darshan once they are blessed with one. Thereafter, the newborn child is laid in a wooden cradle. Four to five villagers take this cradle with the child into the waters of the Kallol and walk through the water, carrying the cradle to Khandoba’s shrine. There, the child is kept at the feet of Shri Khandoba for some time to receive blessings. On this occasion, devotees offer coconuts near the tank. Many devotees whose vows have been fulfilled also devoutly offer small silver cradles in the waters of this Kallol.

Regarding this Kallol, a legend has been famous in rural areas since ancient times. In earlier times, if a note was dropped into the waters of this Kallol, the cooking utensils required for religious ceremonies in the village or homes would automatically emerge from the tank. For this, the note had to be dropped into the Kallol on the day before the ceremony.

The next morning, the necessary utensils would rise to the surface of the water. In the evening, after the ceremony concluded, the concerned person would clean the utensils and return them to the waters of the Kallol. However, some years ago, a person kept these utensils for themselves after a ceremony, instead of returning them. Since then, the emergence of utensils from this Kallol has completely ceased, according to rural folklore. In this Kallol, at some distance from the Devi’s temple, there is a large stone. It is said that the footprints (padukas) of the deity are on this stone. This is known as ‘Devacha Dagad’ (God’s Stone), and devotees worship it with sincere devotion.

The villagers of Banvas have immense faith in Banai Devi. A large number of devotees from Vidarbha as well as Marathwada come to make vows and for darshan. Every year, a large fair of Khandoba is held in Malegaon during the month of Margashirsha. Many Vaghya-Muralis from various parts of Maharashtra come for this fair.

Before going to this fair, it is considered mandatory for all Vaghya-Muralis to have darshan of Banai in Banvas. Therefore, many Vaghya-Muralis arrive in Banvas for a stay about पंधरा to वीस days before the fair. Only after offering naivedya to the Devi here and receiving her blessings do they depart for their further journey, that is, for the Malegaon fair.

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