Sacred Someshwar / Ambabai / Krishnashwar Temple Tel. Panhala, Kolhapur

Panhala is a hill fort that has been permanently etched in the history of Maharashtra due to the thrilling event of the ‘Escape from Panhala’ during the glorious life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. As a part of the history of the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Shilaharas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Adilshahi, and naturally the Marathas, this fort is also mythologically significant. Known in history by names such as Pranalaka, Padmanala, Parnalgad, Panala, and Punala, the mythological name of this fort is Brahmagiri. Hence, it holds unique importance.

In the mythological context as well as in the Marathi text ‘Karveer Mahatmya’ written by Dajiba Joshirao in the 19th century, Panhala is referred to as Brahmagiri. In ‘Karveer Mahatmya’, it is stated: “Nantar Mahalingashtaka | Pahata pahata muninayaka | Tethen jaya jo giri Brahma sanjnyaka | Kshetrachya vayavyese ase ||”. In the ninth chapter of this text, a legend is narrated stating that Lord Brahma performed penance on this fort with the intention of creating progeny. For this purpose, he created a lake here and installed a Linga. It is called Someshwar. The verses from the text regarding this are: “Jethen Brahma tapa kari | Praja karayasathi nari | Pavoni siddhi lavakari | Praja kari utpanna || Tethen sthapi Someshwara | Aanoni sarva tirtha prakara | Kari Someshwar namak sarovara | Aani vara dei priye ||”. Because Lord Brahma performed penance here, it was named Brahmagiri.

This fort has a history of about 1200 years. In the year 753-54 CE, it was under the control of Dantidurga, the seventh king of the Rashtrakutas. Subsequently, it was ruled by the Chalukyas of Kalyani, the Shilahara King Jattiga II, his son Gonka, and Gonka’s son Marsimha. Marsimha established his capital on this fort. At that time, it was called Khilgil Durg. It is said that the Shilahara King Bhoja II, who reigned between 1175 and 1215 CE, constructed and fortified this fort. After 1213-14, it went under the control of the Yadava King Singhandev. After 1347, it became part of the Bahamani Empire. In 1376, Muhammad Shah I resided on this fort. After the fragmentation of the Bahamani Empire, the fort passed into Adilshahi hands from 1489. Ibrahim Adil Shah II renovated this fort. He built mosques, Eidgahs, palaces, fortifications, and other structures on Panhala. Additionally, the Nagzari spring was constructed in 1535. This fort served as the southern capital of the Adil Shahs. It was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1659. Later, during the time of Maharani Tararani, this fort served as the capital of Kolhapur. Siddi Jauhar (Salabat Khan) was sent to recapture it. On the midnight of 13 July 1660, Shivaji Maharaj escaped from the siege laid by him through great ingenuity. While stopping the pursuing army, Baji Prabhu Deshpande displayed immense valor and sacrificed his life. This is known as one of the most heroic episodes in Maratha history. It was on this fort that Sambhaji Maharaj performed the funeral rites of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after his passing. In 1844, the fort came under British control. There are many ancient and famous temples on this fort.

Someshwar Temple

The Someshwar temple is situated on the banks of the Someshwar (Somale) lake, which is described in the Karveer Mahatmya and was built in 1497 during the Adilshahi period. The temple is located below the road in the Panhala fort market, adjacent to the stone wall of the lake. One has to descend a few steps to reach the temple.

The current structure of this stone-built temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Garbhagriha is in the Hemadpanti style and has a small pyramid-shaped shikhara (spire) above it. The Sabha Mandap is of an enclosed type with a flat roof. There are three large stone steps leading to the Sabha Mandap. A short distance from the walls of the Sabha Mandap, there are four stone pillars. In the center, there is a beautifully carved stone Nandi, and adjacent to it is the Linga of Brahmeshwar.

On the outer wall of the Garbhagriha, in a small niche in the left corner, there is a small stone idol of Ganesha, and a stone slab of the serpent deity is placed there. On the right side, in a niche, an idol of the eight-armed goddess in a rustic form is installed. The entrance to the Garbhagriha has a stone frame. On both sides above it, stone horse heads are mounted. Lord Ganesha is seated at the lintel position. In the Garbhagriha, a water offering (Jalabhishek) is performed on the Someshwar Linga from a panchadhatu (five-metal) vessel.

For devotees of Shiva, the importance of this temple lies in the fact that while residing at Panhala, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited this temple to seek the blessings of Someshwar. At that time, along with his soldiers, he offered one lakh Chafa (plumeria) flowers to Someshwar. This information is found in the text ‘Parnalparvat Grahanakhyanam’ written by Jayaram Pindye. Jayaram Pindye, originally from the Nashik region, was in the service of Shahaji Raje and Ekoji Raje. He wrote ‘Parnalparvat Grahanakhyanam’ in 1674. In it, he states: “Bhujabhupotachampeyapushpairatimanoharaih | Devatayatane tasmim lakshapujam samadishat ||” (Chapter 4, Verse 67). This means that the King ordered a grand worship in the temple of the deity by offering one lakh fragrant Champa flowers.

In front of this temple is a beautiful lake with clean water, enclosed by stone walls on all four sides. Many fish swim in this lake. Jayaram Pindye described it in these words: “Tatah Somalaye namna tatake prasphutambuje || Sarasaischakravakaischa hamsais sathobhite tate matsyaih samuchchaltyuthaih kachchapaishcha tarankite ||” (Chapter 4, Verses 63, 64). This means that there was a Somalaya lake filled with blooming lotuses. Its banks were filled with the chirping of cranes, swans, and chakravaka birds. The water was rippling due to jumping fish. Waves were being created by turtles. Near this lake is a small Maruti temple.

Ambabai Temple / Brahmeshwar Temple

Just like the Karveer-Nivasini Mahalakshmi Ambabai in Kolhapur, there is a shrine of Ambabai on the Panhala fort as well. The Brahmeshwar temple is located right next to the Ambabai temple. The architectural style of the temple suggests that it is ancient. According to some scholars, since Mahalakshmi Ambabai was the family deity of the Shilahara King Bhoja, the original temple here might have been built during his reign.

This temple is situated in a spacious, open courtyard on the fort. The courtyard is paved with paver blocks. In front of the temple, there is a large metal-roofed pavilion (shed), and before that stand two large stone lamp pillars (Deepmalas). In front of these is a low stone platform. The temple is structured with a main hall (Sabhamandap) and an inner sanctum (Garbhagriha). To the left is the shrine of Brahmeshwar. There is a wall in the middle, and adjacent to it is the shrine of Ambabai.

The Sabhamandap of the temple is semi-open from the front. The entrances to the Sabhamandap are between pairs of stone pillars, which are square at the base, hexagonal above that, followed by a circular disc, and square again at the top. Inside, at some distance from the walls, there is a row of four such pillars. All these pillars are painted in a golden hue.

In the sanctum of the Ambabai Devi temple, a two to two-and-a-half-foot tall, four-armed idol of the Goddess is seated on a high pedestal (Vajrapitha). The Goddess holds a citron (Mahalung), a mace (Gada), a shield, and a betel leaf. A five-headed serpent hood is spread over her head. There is an idol of Nandi in the adjacent Sabhamandap of Brahmeshwar. In the sanctum, a Shiva Linga is consecrated on the ground. The Sharadiya Navaratri festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During that time, countless devotees visit the temple for Darshan.

Krishneshwar Mahadev Temple

The Ambar Khana on Panhalgad is a very important structure. Here lie the three grain granaries named Ganga, Jamuna, and Saraswati. At a short distance from these granaries is the temple of Krishneshwar Ling Mahadev. This is considered a simple stone-built temple on Panhalgad, but it is significant both spiritually and historically. The temple features a sloping roof on both sides, a small vestibule with an arched entrance, and a spacious sanctum. There is a small courtyard in front of the temple, flanked by walls on both sides.

The ceiling of the sanctum is semi-circular from the inside. On the marble tiles installed a few years ago, there is a tall Linga of Krishneshwar. The Linga is adorned with a brass serpent hood canopy. The stone used for this Linga is of a unique type. The color of this Linga changes according to the changes in temperature. Because of this, it is also known as the ‘Color-Changing Linga’.

In front of the Linga is an old stone idol of Nandi. On a high pedestal against the back wall of the sanctum, a small marble idol of Radha-Krishna is seated. On this wall, a painting of Shiva in his Tandava posture is depicted in blue.

The specialty of this temple is that it was the site of the ‘historic’ meeting between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shambhu Raje (Sambhaji Maharaj). The date was Paush Vadya Saptami, Tuesday, January 13, 1680. Shivaji Maharaj’s spies and diplomats had tactfully rescued Sambhaji Raje from Diler Khan’s camp at Athani in Bijapur. From there, he reached Panhala via Bijapur on December 21, 1679. At that time, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was at Pattagad. He arrived at Panhalgad 25 days later. On January 13, he met Shambhu Raje. They were meeting after a long gap of three years. It is said that this meeting took place in this very Krishneshwar Mahadev temple.

Near the Ambar Khana, close to this temple, there is a stone slab of Gangu Telin in a hollow area. The legend associated with this is that when the construction of the Ambar Khana began, someone advised King Bhoja to perform a human sacrifice to appease the deity of the site (Vastudevata). The King then announced throughout the region that whoever offered themselves for sacrifice would have their heirs provided with land, property, and wealth. This news reached Gangu Telin. Her household was extremely impoverished. For the upliftment of her family, she agreed to sacrifice her life. Accordingly, she was sacrificed with due rituals. After the construction of the Ambar Khana was completed, King Bhoja built a memorial there in her memory. Now, only a partially broken stone slab remains there, on which the scene of the human sacrifice is carved.

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