Ancient Siddhanatha Bhairav ​​and Kedarnath Bhairav ​​Temples Diveagar, Shrivardhan, Raigad

Temples hold a significant place in the development of human civilization. Temples are not merely places of worship; they are the primary foundation of a village’s social and cultural life. Especially in the Konkan region, the architecture and the customs and traditions of the temples reflect the historical glory of the region. The temple architecture showcases the craftsmanship and the skill in using stone from that era. Diveagar village in Shrivardhan taluka is famous for such unique temples. The Siddhanath Bhairav and Kedarnath Bhairav temples here, and the faith associated with them, are an inseparable part of the local life. These village deities have given Diveagar a special identity.

According to information from the ‘Kashi Khand’ in the Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva, the ruler of Kashi, entrusted the responsibility of protecting the city to his various manifestations, known as the Bhairavas. The city of Kashi is primarily divided into three sections: Vishweshwar, Omkar, and Kedar. The Kedar Khand is considered the southern part of Kashi, and the primary responsibility of protecting this region lies with Kedarnath Bhairav. When a devotee visits Kedareshwar, it is essential to worship the Bhairav of that region to complete the pilgrimage. Kedarnath Bhairav is known as the guardian (Kotwal) of this region, and Siddhanath Bhairav resides in his proximity. It is said that Siddhanath Bhairav is believed to bestow ‘Siddhi’ (spiritual attainments) upon seekers and remove obstacles from their path.

According to mythological texts, the Kedar region is extremely sacred, and spiritual practices performed here bear fruit quickly. Siddhanath Bhairav is present there to bring these practices to fruition and to grant the seeker spiritual authority. Kedarnath Bhairav is a symbol of protection, while Siddhanath Bhairav is a symbol of the spiritual success or ‘Siddhi’ attained under that protection. The proximity of these two Bhairavas is considered significant for the convenience of devotees and seekers, as well as for maintaining the balance of power in the region. Apart from the Kashi Khand, the importance of the locations of the Bhairavas in Kashi is also mentioned in the ‘Bhairav Tantra’ and the ‘Shiva Purana’. Following these references from the Puranas, these two Bhairavas are located close to each other in Diveagar.

Upon entering Diveagar, famous as the city of the Golden Ganesha, the ancient Kedarnath Bhairav temple can be seen a short distance in front of the Suvarna Ganesh temple. This temple was formerly known as ‘Bhanukadevi’. A little further from this temple is the temple of Siddhanath Bhairav. It is believed that both these temples date back to the Nath sect era. Built using the characteristic laterite stone of the Konkan, these temples are excellent examples of local architecture. The design of both temples is almost identical, featuring tiled roofs. These small temples house beautiful black stone idols. In front of the temple entrances are open courtyards and stone lamp pillars (Deepmalas). Tall wooden poles are erected in front of both temples for the ‘Gali’ (hook-swinging) ritual.

The Siddhanath Bhairav temple houses the idols of Siddhanath, Bhavani, Mool Siddhanath, and the Dwarpal (gatekeeper), while the Kedarnath Bhairav temple is consecrated with the idols of Shri Kedar Ling, Shri Kaleshri, and Shri Bhavani. The walls of these temples are very simple, and there is an ancient tradition of worshipping the deities by applying vermilion and ghee. An oil lamp is kept burning continuously in the temple. The festival (Yatra) of Shri Siddhanath Bhairav is held on Chaitra Shuddha Chaturdashi, and that of Shri Kedarnath Bhairav on the full moon day (Pournima). During these festivals, thousands of devotees gather to witness traditional rituals like ‘Gali Tochna’ (hook piercing), ‘Hathkhoda’, and ‘Bagad Phiravne’. The deity’s palanquin and procession emerge amidst the sound of drums and cymbals, with significant participation from the village elders and traditional office-bearers.

Regarding the tradition of Bagad and Gali Tochna, it is said that to seek relief from an epidemic that had struck the village in the past, the Pandavas had made a vow to the village deity, Siddhanath Bhairav, to perform five rounds on the hook-swing on Chaitra Shuddha Chaturdashi. The epidemic subsided thereafter, and this practice has continued since then. In the Bagad process, a devotee has iron hooks pierced into the skin of their back and is rotated at a height of five to six meters. This honor is traditionally held by specific families. It is the experience of the devotees that while performing this, there is no bleeding and no pain. Similarly, in the Hathkhoda ritual, the devotee places both hands into a wooden stock shaped like the English number eight and circumambulates the deity. It is believed that if a vow is fulfilled or if the devotee is speaking the truth, the peg in the stock falls out automatically.

Before the year 1920, there was a practice of sacrificing a buffalo during the fairs here, but it has now been completely stopped. On the day of the fair, non-vegetarian food is prohibited in the entire village, and Bhajan programs are organized at night. Abhishekam is performed on Kartik Vadya Ashtami for Bhairav Jayanti, and Kalbhairavashtami is celebrated on Margashirsha Vadya Ashtami. Special religious rituals and illuminations are also held in the temple during Mahashivratri, the month of Shravan, and Diwali.

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