Shree Kaleshwar Temple Kolgaon, Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg

Kaleshwar means the Lord of Arts. There are many temples of Lord Shiva in the form of Kaleshwar across the country. In the Konkan region too, there are Kaleshwar temples in places like Kalamath, Newale, and Nerur. One of the most famous among them is located in Kolgaon near Sawantwadi. The Kaleshwar here is a folk deity. Devotees believe that He is a wish-fulfilling deity who rushes to answer the calls of His devotees. The annual Jatrotsav (fair) of Kaleshwar, who is the presiding deity for the people of Kolgaon, Kunkeri, and Ambegaon, draws a large crowd of devotees every year.

This magnificent temple of Kaleshwar is nestled in the lap of a hill in a picturesque environment. Although the history of this temple is unknown, it is said to be very ancient. Previously, there was a large tiled temple here in the traditional Konkan style. A few years ago, the villagers came together and renovated this temple. Today, a grand temple with two shikhars (spires) stands here. The temple is situated in a vast courtyard. The courtyard has a large entrance gate. On both its pillars, tall statues of the Vaishnava gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, are carved. Above the entrance, in a dome shaped like a coconut, the idol of Lord Ganesha is enshrined. On both sides of it are elephants. As one enters from here, right in front, on a high stone platform, stands a five-tiered lamp pillar (Deepstambha). The temple structure consists of a main assembly hall (Sabhamandap), an auxiliary assembly hall (Upasabhamandap), an antarala (vestibule), a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha), and two high shikhars. The temple stands on a high plinth.

Adjacent to the platform of the lamp pillar, there are steps on the left and right sides of the temple’s assembly hall. At the entrance of this main assembly hall, there is a small dome-shaped spire on the ceiling. The assembly hall is two-storied and spacious. It has ten round pillars on the outside. From the outer side inwards, following the Konkan architectural style, there are round pillars on both sides at some distance. Between them, the ground is a few inches lower. The auxiliary assembly hall is small in size and semi-open. There are stone benches for devotees to sit. There are also shikhars on the ceilings of the temple’s assembly hall and the vestibule. Both these shikhars are of different architectural styles. The shikhar on the assembly hall is octagonal at the bottom and tapers towards the top. On its middle two levels, there are niches containing divine images. This shikhar has a circular amalaka on top, followed by a kalash. The shikhar on the vestibule is of the ‘ardhvodhar’ type, meaning it is straight up to a point but suddenly turns inwards at the top.

The door to the temple’s vestibule is wide and made of wood. It is carved with floral patterns, as well as figures of Surasundaris and gatekeepers. There is a path from the vestibule to perform the circumambulation (Pradakshina) of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is like a small shrine. Near its front wall are tall, colorful statues of the Vaishnava gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya. The entrance is small in height and cylindrical. There is a pyramid-shaped shikhar over the sanctum sanctorum. Inside, there is a tall, standing idol of Kaleshwar in black stone, enshrined in a Panchadhatu (five-metal) arch. The idol is four-armed and holds weapons like a sword and a trident. One of the idol’s hands also holds a vessel. Near the feet of the idol are statues of an equestrian attendant and a female attendant.

The Jatrotsav is celebrated every year at the Kaleshwar temple on the day of Sankashti Chaturthi in the month of Margashirsha. On this day, Lord Kaleshwar is adorned with rich garments and ornaments. The Tarang-Kathi (processional standard) and the palanquin of Lord Kaleshwar are brought to the temple with music and fanfare. A unique feature of this fair is the fireworks display, which is offered as a service to the deity. On the occasion of this festival, performances of Dashavatar, the traditional folk theatre of Konkan, are also 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