Divine Maruti Temple Manavadi, Hadgaon, Nanded

The place of Maruti or Hanuman is unique in the spiritual and social fabric of Maharashtra. A major credit for the spread of Maruti worship in the state goes to Samarth Ramdas Swami. During the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Samarth established ‘११ Maruti’ (eleven Maruti temples) in the Satara, Karad, and Kolhapur regions to awaken strength, wisdom, and self-respect among the youth. Today, a Maruti temple can be found in every village. The legacy of strength and devotion given by Samarth is still preserved in these temples today. One such famous and awakened place is the Maruti Temple at Manwadi in Nanded district. This temple is a place of faith for thousands of devotees. It is the belief of the devotees that the Maruti here fulfills their vows (navas).

According to the priests here, this temple is about three hundred years old. Looking at the ancient idols and the lamp tower (deepmal) in the premises, one is convinced of its antiquity. However, there are no inscriptions or historical records available that could prove the exact period of the temple. There is a grand welcome arch on the road leading to the temple. On both sides of the arch are ornate square pillars. Above them, a ‘mahirap bashing’ (arch-like crest) is carved on the horizontal beams of the pillars. In the center of the bashing, there is a niche (devakoshthaka) containing an idol of Maruti. On the arch, there are three amalakas in total—two on either side of the bashing and one in the center above—topped with kalashas.

There is a paved road leading up to this Maruti temple, which is situated at the entrance of Manwadi village. In front of the entrance, there is a pavilion with a tin roof on iron pillars. There are three steps in front of the entrance to reach the temple courtyard, which is at a higher level than the road. Along the outer side of the fortification, on both sides of the entrance, there are platforms (chautharas). Shops selling worship materials are set up here. In the paved courtyard of the temple, seating arrangements are provided for devotees. Near the entrance on the right side of the courtyard, there are three consecutive temples. The first of these is dedicated to Shri Ram-Lakshman-Sita. The second temple houses the idols of Vitthal-Rukmini, while the third temple contains the idols of saints Sant Gadge Baba and Kaikadi Maharaj. In the temple courtyard, there is an ancient stone platform. On it stands a three-tiered lamp pillar (deepstambh) about १५ feet high. This lamp pillar tapers towards the top. Devotees light lamps and camphor on this platform. In front of this platform is a Shani temple. Inside the temple, on a vajrapitha (throne), there is a stone idol of Shanidev in relief style. Adjacent to the outer wall of the Shani temple, to the right of the entrance, is an idol of Ganesha in a canopy (meghadambari). Next to the canopy are five circular stones smeared with vermilion. It is said that these are the stones of the local deity. On the platform of the banyan tree next to these stones, there are stone padukas (footprints), a Nandi, and some dilapidated idols. On the left side of the courtyard is the temple of Goddess Saraswati. In the temple, on a vajrapitha, is an idol of Goddess Saraswati riding a peacock, holding a veena. There is a spacious hall and other structures in the courtyard for presenting programs like bhajans, kirtans, and discourses.

The structure of the Maruti temple here consists of a sabhamandap (assembly hall), antarala (vestibule), and garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the semi-open sabhamandap built in recent times, there are four rows of three square pillars each. There is also a sacrificial altar (yagnakunda) in the sabhamandap. Further ahead is the entrance to the antarala. On the doorframes of the entrance, circles with floral patterns are carved. Horizontal carvings are visible on the pillar branches, and there is an idol of Ganpati in the niche on the lalata-bimba (lintel). A torana of leaf-vine patterns is carved over the niche. The entrance has iron grilled sliding shutters. The enclosed antarala has windows for air and light. Further ahead, in front of the entrance to the garbhagriha, there is a stainless steel safety railing. Here, on a table, is a brass utsava-murti (processional idol) of Maruti.

After that comes the entrance to the garbhagriha. Inside the garbhagriha, on a vajrapitha, is the vermilion-smeared idol of Maruti. The mask and crown on the idol are made of silver. There are silver padukas in front of the idol. There is a circumambulation path (pradakshina marg) around the outside of the garbhagriha. On the roof of the garbhagriha, there is a three-tiered shikhara (spire). The lower two tiers of the shikhara are octagonal and each has eight niches. The third ornate tier is circular and tapers towards the top. At the apex of the shikhara are the amalaka and kalasha.

A grand fair is celebrated in the temple from Chaitra Shuddha Navami (Shri Ram Navami) to Chaitra Purnima (Hanuman Jayanti). During this period, programs like kakada, bhajan, parayan, discourse, haripath, and namasankirtan are organized. On Chaitra Purnima, Maruti’s abhishek and aarti are performed between ४ and ६ in the morning. Also, a kirtan celebrating the birth anniversary takes place from ११ AM to २ PM. At this time, the deity’s palanquin (palkhi) sets out for a village procession amidst the sound of drums and the showering of gulal. Many devotees gather to seek the deity’s blessings, fulfill their vows, and participate in the palanquin procession. Every Saturday and Tuesday, there is also a large number of devotees who come for the deity’s darshan. Vows of bhandara, i.e., food donation, are made here. Therefore, especially on Saturdays, a mahaprasad is organized here.

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