Shri Murdeshwar Temple Rithad, Risod, Washim

The Murdeshwar Temple at Rithad is recognized as the sacred site of a Shiva Linga believed to be a fragment of the Atma-Linga of Lord Shiva. According to the Padma Purana, this region was part of the Dandakaranya forest, which was sanctified by the touch of the lotus feet of Lord Shri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. Local legend holds that Lord Shri Rama performed Shiva worship at this very temple. The Washim District website of the State Government mentions that a team from Ayodhya, tasked with documenting sites sanctified by the footsteps of Shri Rama, visited this location and included this temple in the map they prepared.

According to local lore, the Risod region was home to many banyan trees in ancient times, under which sages would sit and perform penance. Consequently, the area was known as ‘Rishivat’ (the abode of sages), which eventually evolved into the name ‘Risod’. Risod is also known as a land of saints and a city of the Rangari community. Rithad, located in this taluka, is said to have been the seat of Murdeshwar Mahadeva since the Treta Yuga. The mythological legend associated with this site states that the demon king Ravana performed severe penance to obtain the Atma-Linga of Lord Shiva and attain immortality. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him the Atma-Linga as a boon, but imposed a condition: the Linga must never be placed on the ground.

When the gods in heaven learned of this, they were deeply concerned, as it would have granted Ravana immortality. They sought the help of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The gods advised Ganesha that if Ravana were to place the Atma-Linga on the ground, its power would return to Lord Shiva, preventing Ravana from becoming immortal. Accordingly, Ganesha assumed the form of a young boy and approached Ravana. It was the time for Ravana’s evening prayers, a ritual he never missed. Faced with the dilemma of how to pray while holding the Atma-Linga, he requested the boy to hold it for him until he finished his prayers. Ganesha, in the form of the boy, agreed on the condition that if the Linga became too heavy, he would call out to Ravana three times, and if Ravana did not return, he would place it on the ground. Ravana agreed, but before he could return from his prayers, Ganesha placed the Linga on the ground. Ravana could not move it, and in his rage, he broke the Atma-Linga into pieces, which fell in various places across the country. One such fragment fell at Rithad, which is the site of this Murdeshwar Temple. Over time, a temple was built there. The Shiva Purana recounts this same story as the origin of the Vaidyanatheshwara Linga, stating that Ravana, needing to relieve himself, entrusted the Linga to a cowherd boy who placed it on the ground, where it became permanently established.

Another legend associated with this temple is that during their exile, Lord Shri Rama, along with Lakshmana and Sita, visited this area. Upon seeing the Murdeshwar Temple, they came to worship Lord Shiva, only to find Lord Mahadeva himself performing penance there. Sensing the arrival of Shri Rama, Mahadeva turned to look at him. This caused the direction of the Shiva Linga in the temple to shift, and the water channel of the Shalunka (base) began to flow towards the east.

The temple is situated in a large area on the banks of a river in Rithad. The temple courtyard features a grand entrance gate, with an idol of Bansidhar Shri Krishna seated in the arch above. On both sides of the idol are images of sacred cows (Gomata). Near this entrance, on a high stone platform, stands a wide, circular cement pillar. To the left of the entrance is a large, recently constructed Ganesha temple. Built in the Gurjar-Rajasthani architectural style, this beautiful temple consists of a Mukhamandapa (front hall), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the sanctum, a large Panchadhatu (five-metal) idol of Ganesha is seated on a wooden pedestal. Behind this, on a high platform, is another vermilion-smeared idol of Ganesha.

Upon entering the Murdeshwar Temple, one finds an independent Nandi Mandapa directly in front, housing a large black stone idol of Nandi. The temple structure is built on a high plinth in a modern architectural style. It is said that the original temple was in the Hemadpanti style, but it acquired its current form after recent renovations. The temple comprises a grand assembly hall and a sanctum.

On the front wall of the assembly hall, a large idol of Hanuman in a prayerful posture is installed in the upper section. The assembly hall is spacious with a flat ceiling. The sanctum is located directly in front, and there is a path for circumambulation (Pradakshina) around it. An idol of Ganesha is enshrined in a niche on the wall facing the sanctum. One must descend into the sanctum, where the large Murdeshwar Linga is installed on the ground level. The Linga has a wide, circular base, with a large stone Linga in the center. The Shikhara (spire) above the sanctum is crafted in the Maratha architectural style and is intricately carved, featuring niches containing idols of various deities and saints. In the temple courtyard, there is a site with the footprints (Padukas) of Shri Rama on a high marble platform.

A large number of devotees visit the Murdeshwar Mahadeva temple every Monday. Grand festivals are celebrated at the temple on Shravani Mondays and Mahashivratri. Other Hindu festivals are also celebrated here with great enthusiasm, similar to Ganesh Chaturthi.

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