Sacred Pavanai Bhagwati Temple Tel. Bandivade, Tel. Malvan, Sindhudurg

The Gad River, also known as the Kalivali Creek, is a major river in the Malvan taluka. Situated on the banks of this river in the village of Bandivade stands the grand and beautifully sculpted temple of Pavnai Bhagwati. This sacred abode of the Goddess dates back approximately ३५० years. A few years ago, the temple underwent renovation. The temple enshrines two Goddesses, Pavnai and Bhagwati. A unique feature of this temple is the ‘Gondhal’ ritual performed for the Goddess, a grand event celebrated with immense enthusiasm, comparable to a major festival.

There are two shrines of the Goddess in this temple. The legend states that Tuljapur’s Bhavani Devi and Bandivade’s Bhagwati Devi were sisters. Once, Bhavani Devi came to Bandivade to visit her sister. Bhagwati Devi extended warm hospitality to her and offered her own seat. In this place, Bhavani Devi began fulfilling the devotees’ wishes just as Bhagwati Devi did. The people then urged her to reside there permanently, and Bhagwati Devi also requested the same. Respecting their wishes, Tuljapur’s Bhavani Devi began to reside there. Since she was a guest, she came to be called ‘Pavni Aai’, meaning ‘Guest Mother’, or ‘Pavnai’. Over time, this name evolved, and the Bhavani Devi here became known as Pavnai, and the temple became famous as the Pavnai Bhagwati Temple.

This temple of Pavnai Bhagwati is situated in a sprawling complex. This ancient temple was renovated in the year २००७. The temple is grand, beautiful, and pristine white. Notably, its architectural style differs from other temples in the Konkan region, following the Dravidian style of architecture. The structure consists of a two-tiered sloping roof, a semi-open, long and wide assembly hall (Sabhamandap), a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha), and a magnificent spire (Shikhara) adorned with floral and lion motifs. The large temple courtyard is enclosed by a boundary wall on all sides. One enters the temple premises by descending four steps from the road. In front of the temple, on a high pedestal, stands a six-tiered Konkani-style lamp pillar (Deepstambha), with a Tulsi Vrindavan nearby. There are four steps to enter the assembly hall of the temple, which is built on a high plinth. On both sides of these steps, there are lion statues. The dwarf walls of the assembly hall are connected at the top by arched gateways. All these arches are adorned with golden-colored, intricately carved Makartorans.

On the front wall of the sanctum sanctorum, on both sides of the entrance, there are beautiful statues of female door guardians (Dwarpalikas) in large niches. These four-armed statues hold a mace (Gada), a noose (Pash), and a drum (Damaru). Inside the sanctum, stone idols of Goddess Bhagwati and Pavnai are installed on a high pedestal. The idol of Pavnai is a replica of the Tulja Bhavani idol from Tuljapur. The idol of Bhagwati is in the form of an eight-armed Mahishasurmardini. The idol of Bhagwati is installed on a slightly higher pedestal than that of Pavnai.

This temple attracts countless devotees due to the various sculpted forms of the Goddess. These idols are installed in niches created in the upper part of the assembly hall. These forms include: Vageshwari, Shivshakti, Manonmani, Urutharashi, Shambhavi, Chamundi, Indrayani, Varahi, Vaishnavi, Kaumari, Maheshwari, Brahmi, Agni Durga, Vishnu Durga, Tulja Bhavani, Van Durga, Brahmacharini Durga, Skanda Durga, Kushmanda, Rudraksha Durga, Durga, Veer Lakshmi, Aishwarya Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Adi Lakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Rajrajeshwari, Kamakshi, and Mahasaraswati. Additionally, there is an impressive idol of Mahishasurmardini in a niche on the outer wall behind the sanctum sanctorum. Furthermore, above the entrance of the assembly hall, in the center, are the idols of Ganesha and Riddhi-Siddhi. All these idols are extremely beautiful and represent the various forms of the Goddess.

The annual festival of the Goddess takes place in the first fortnight of the month of Paush. The date of the festival is decided on the day of Dussehra. Ravalnath here is the brother of Pavnai Devi. On this day, he comes to visit Pavnai Devi, and this is the day of the festival. On this day, both deities are adorned with masks and sarees, and ritualistic worship is performed. १० types of ‘Tarangkathya’ (ceremonial poles) are prepared and decorated with sarees. The palm of a hand and the mask of the Goddess are visible at the top. Specific families hold the hereditary rights for these rituals. Amidst music and fanfare, the meeting of Shri Dev Ravalnath and Shri Pavnai Devi takes place. The ‘Gondhal’ and vigil continue throughout the night. For the annual Gondhal of this temple, a donation of ६५ rupees used to be received from Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj of the Kolhapur princely state. After the state was merged, the donation stopped, but the villagers continued the Gondhal festival. The Gondhal of the Goddess here is famous in the surrounding five villages. Thousands of devotees gather to witness this event. On the day of the Goddess’s festival, a vegetarian ‘Mahaprasad’ is served in the morning, and a non-vegetarian ‘Mahaprasad’ is served in the evening. Near this temple is the temple of Baracha Purva and, at a short distance, the temple of Ravalnath.

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