Shree Girijapati Temple Relatives, Malshiras, Solapur

The village of Natepute is situated at the foothills of Shikhar Shingnapur, the ancestral deity of the house of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With a history dating back to the 14th century, this village was known in ancient times as ‘Shankarapathan’. The village houses the Girijapati Temple, which is approximately 675 years old. Girijapati is also addressed by the names Girijashankar or Gaurihar. Girijapati is the family deity (Kuldaivat) for many in the Maratha community of Marathwada. A grand festival is held here from Chaitra Shuddha Panchami to Ashtami. Thousands of devotees arrive here to participate in these festivities.

Located on the border of Solapur, Satara, and Pune districts, Natepute was a small hamlet in ancient times. According to records in the Solapur Gazetteer, a minister named Malik Sundar during the Bahmani regime (1342–1490 AD) gave shape to this village. During his tenure, the village transformed into a commercial hub. It is said that when Aurangzeb invaded Swarajya, his son, Prince Anjumshah, destroyed the temple at Shikhar Shingnapur. Following that, the Shambhu Mahadev Yatra, which used to take place on that mountain, was held in the village of Natepute until approximately 1735 AD. It is in this historically significant village of Natepute that the ancient Girijapati Temple is situated. It is said that this temple was built during the Bahmani period, in the year 1350 AD. 

Situated in the heart of Natepute village, the Girijapati Temple resembles a fortress due to its surrounding ramparts. The stone fortification, about 20 feet high from the ground, features a parapet wall (bashingi kadha) at the top. One enters the main hall (mukhamandap) near the entrance of the ramparts by climbing about 15 steps from the ground. This two-story mukhamandap features stone pillars and stone benches for devotees to sit. There is a drum house (nagarkhana) on the upper floor of the mukhamandap. Every day around 5:30 AM, the drums are played here. Through the entrance, one enters the spacious courtyard of the temple. In this courtyard, near the ramparts, stand three ancient, tall lamp towers (deepmalas). On Amavasya, Purnima, and every Monday, lamps are lit in these towers. It is said that these lamp towers are visible even from the Shikhar Shingnapur mountain. 

In front of the main temple, there is a shrine dedicated to the local deity. The temple structure consists of three mukhamandaps, a sabhamandap (assembly hall), an antarala (vestibule), and the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the front mukhamandap, there are three stone Nandi statues on a large platform. Among these, the central Nandi statue has a Shiva Linga carved into it. This Nandi is larger in size compared to the other two. The sabhamandap here is semi-open and has stone benches for devotees. On the front wall of the antarala in the sabhamandap, there is an ancient Ganesh idol on a platform to the right. In front of this Ganesh idol is a sacred fire (dhuni). During the festival period, this dhuni remains constantly lit. Near the entrance of the antarala, four stone pillars are connected to each other by arched gateways. In the center of the garbhagriha, there is a square, self-manifested (swayambhu) Shiva Linga with three elevations. It is said that these three lingas are symbols of Shankar, Parvati, and Ganpati respectively. 

The spire (kalash) of the Girijapati Temple was renovated a few years ago. In the niches of each of the five levels of this spire, there are beautifully painted statues of various deities. Additionally, there are replicas of many smaller spires. At the apex of the shikhara, there is an amalaka topped with a kalash. It is said that because this temple previously lacked a shikhara, no one in the village would build a two-story house. Even if someone tried, they would not succeed. In recent years, after a tall shikhara was built on this temple, the construction of two-story houses began in the area. 

In front of the Girijapati Temple, there is a vast and well-constructed pond. Previously, a yatra used to be held here in the summer. According to historical records, Brahmendra Swami Dhavadshikar, the spiritual guru of Shahu Maharaj, had built this pond for the convenience of pilgrims. A grand festival is held here from Chaitra Shuddha Panchami to Ashtami. During this time, ceremonial staffs (kathis) and water-carrying yokes (kavads) are brought from surrounding villages to perform an abhishek (ritual bath) for the deity. For the Shiva-Parvati wedding held at Shikhar Shingnapur, the ‘Bhatangadi Kathi’ from the village of Bhatangadi in Marathwada holds the honor. The water kavad of the Bhatangadi Kathi is offered to Girijapati. Later, that kathi is taken to Shikhar Shingnapur. This tradition continues to this day. In this symbolic wedding ceremony, the honor of the groom lies with the Waghmode-Patil family of the Dhangar community from Malshiras, while the honor of the bride lies with the Pandhare-Patil family of Natepute.

On the third Monday of the month of Shravan, a Mahaprasad Bhandara (community feast) is organized by the villagers at the Girijapati Temple, and in the evening, wrestling matches featuring renowned wrestlers from Maharashtra are held at the Mahadev Akhada. The daily worship and management are planned annually through an auction system by the Satara Sansthan. The Ashadhi Wari Palkhi procession also halts here. This temple and its premises are the private property of the Bhosale royal family of Satara. Aarti is performed in the temple daily at 6:05 AM, 12:05 PM, and 6:45 PM. Many devotees from the village are present in the temple at these times. Devotees can have darshan of Girijapati Mahadev from 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

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