Prasanna Shree Namdev Maharaj Temple Narasi Namdev, Mr. Hingoli, Hingoli

The great saint of the Varkari tradition, Saint Namdev Maharaj, was born in Narsi-Bamni in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra. A contemporary of Saint Dnyaneshwar, he was a devoted follower of Pandurang. Through his Abhangs and Kirtans, he propagated the values of devotion, equality, and humanity. He is also known as the ‘Adi Kavi’ (First Poet). Traveling from Maharashtra to Punjab, he spread the Bhagavata Dharma. The village formerly known as Narsi-Bamni was renamed Narsi Namdev in honor of Saint Namdev. The temple of Namdev Maharaj in this very village is a place of deep faith for thousands of Varkaris and devotees.

Saint Namdev Maharaj is revered in the Varkari tradition as a close companion of Lord Pandurang himself. Born into the tailor community, Namdev spent his childhood in the city of Vitthal, Pandharpur. He was born to his father Damashet and mother Gonai on the auspicious day of Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi, that is, 26 October 1270.

A legend regarding the birth of Namdev Maharaj states that Damashet and Gonai were childless. Once, when Gonai went to the Kayadhu River near the village to wash clothes, a seashell suddenly fell into her basket of washed and folded clothes. Upon returning home, while drying the clothes, she threw the seashell inside the house. At 12 o’clock in the night, a baby was born from that seashell and began to cry loudly. Awakened by the sound, Gonai and Damashet were astonished to see the crying baby emerging from the shell. At that moment, Gonai experienced maternal affection. It is said that the baby was none other than Saint Namdev Maharaj.

Several memories from the life of Namdev Maharaj are recounted. One such story is from his childhood. His father once told him, “Today, you offer the Prasad to God.” He offered the Naivedya and waited for God to consume it. Moved by his innocent and pure devotion, God had to bow down and accept the offering. Once, a dog snatched a piece of bread from his house. Fearing that the dog might have to eat the dry bread, he followed the dog with a bowl of ghee. According to a local legend, once on the day of Mahashivratri, Namdev Maharaj went to the Aundha Nagnath Temple for Darshan. Upon arriving, he began a Kirtan. The priests there told him not to perform Kirtan because he belonged to a lower caste. Without saying a word, he went behind the temple and began to plead with Nagnath. At that moment, due to Namdev’s pure devotion, the temple, which faced east, turned to face west, and Nagnath granted Namdev his Darshan. It is said that the temple has faced west ever since.

A gathering of saints took place at the home of Saint Gora Kumbhar in Teredhoki (Dharashiv). Great saints like Saint Nivruttinath, Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Sopandev, Muktabai, Saint Namdev, Saint Chokhamela, and Visoba Khechar were present. At the request of Saint Dnyaneshwar, Saint Gora Kumbhar reviewed the spiritual readiness of all those present. It was after this event that Saint Namdev gained Visoba Khechar as his spiritual Guru. Saint Namdev’s method of performing Kirtan was highly scholarly, often citing references from many great texts. Saint Namdev traveled across India performing Kirtans.

He is addressed as Saint Shiromani and Namdev Baba. In Marathi literature, many research-based and enlightening books have been written about Saint Namdev Maharaj. The name of Saint Namdev Maharaj’s wife was Rajai. He had a daughter named Limbai and four sons: Narayan, Vitthal, Govind, and Mahadev. There were a total of 15 members in his family. Saint Janabai used to call herself the maidservant of Namya; she was a member of his family.

A total of 2500 Abhangs by Saint Namdev are famous. He wrote 125 verses in the medieval Prakrit language known as Shaurseni. 62 of his Abhangs are included in the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, the holy book of the Sikh faith. He lived for 80 years. He chose to become a stone on the step of the Mahadwar of the Vitthal Temple in Pandharpur. He left his mortal body at the feet of Pandurang in Pandharpur on 3 July 1350. Since then, the step in that temple has been known as the Namdev Payari.

There is no concrete information available regarding who established the Namdev Maharaj Temple on the banks of the Kayadhu River in the village of Narsi Namdev near Hingoli, or when it was built. The temple acquired its current form after a renovation in 2019. The state government has granted this temple the status of a pilgrimage site. There are hundreds of shops selling worship materials and Prasad on the path leading from the parking lot to the temple. One enters the spacious, paver-block-covered courtyard of the temple through a large archway. The structure of the temple consists of a Mukhamandapa (front hall), a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). One enters the Mukhamandapa of this temple, which stands on a high platform, by climbing ten steps. There are two additional doors besides the main entrance to reach the Sabhamandapa from the Mukhamandapa. The circular Sabhamandapa features distinctive carvings on its pillars and ceiling. Continuous Veena playing takes place in this Sabhamandapa. There are two more Mukhamandapas to the right and left of the assembly hall. Steel railings are installed in the hall at some distance from the entrance of the Garbhagriha, from where devotees must have Darshan.

In the Garbhagriha, on a square pedestal, stands a beautiful white marble statue of Saint Namdev Maharaj holding a Veena and cymbals. In the niches on both sides of the statue, there are idols of Vitthal on the right and Mother Rukmini on the left. In the center is the old statue of Namdev Maharaj carved from black stone. The statue wears a turban on its head. The temple’s three Mukhamandapas and the Sabhamandapa have square, tapering Shikhars (spires). The main Shikhar over the Garbhagriha features replicas of smaller Shikhars. In the temple premises, there are temples of Dakshinmukhi Hanuman and Saint Satarkar Maharaj, and near the river ghat is the temple of the great saint Sena Maharaj.

A grand fair is held at this temple on the day of Phalguna Krishna Ekadashi, known as Papmochani Ekadashi. This pilgrimage is called the ‘Salt Pilgrimage’. The salt purchased during this fair is considered nutritious and sacred. There is a tradition of purchasing grains and oilseeds along with salt at this fair. The Ekadashi that falls fifteen days after Ashadhi Ekadashi is known as Paratvari Ekadashi. During this period, thousands of Warkaris and devotees visit this temple for Darshan. The Paratvari festival is the most significant and grand celebration of this temple. On Ashadhi Ekadashi, many devotees from neighboring districts travel on foot to visit this temple for Darshan.

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