Shree Sangameshwar Temple, Sangamgaon, Murbad, Thane

Situated at the confluence of the Kalu and Doiphodi rivers, Shri Kshetra Sangameshwar is an ancient pilgrimage site near Murbad in Thane district. Devotees from various places visit here to seek the blessings of the Swayambhu (self-manifested) Shiva Linga, which is renowned for fulfilling the prayers of the faithful. A unique feature of this temple is the architecture of its sanctum sanctorum, which is designed in such a way that any word spoken inside echoes three times. Thousands of devotees from the surrounding five villages participate in the grand festival held at this temple on Tripurari Purnima.

The legend of the temple states that around the year 1930, the site where the temple currently stands was covered in Karvanda (Carissa carandas) thickets. A man from the nearby village of Dolpada, while passing through, entered the thicket to pick berries and discovered the Shiva Linga. He brought it to his home and placed it in his prayer room. However, that very night, Lord Mahadev appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to return the Shiva Linga to the exact spot where it was found. After placing the Shiva Linga back in its original location, he informed the villagers about the incident. Upon learning this, Purushottam Mandlik of Dolpada took the initiative to begin construction of the temple on this site in 1931. The temple has stood here ever since.

The confluence of the Shai River from the right and the Doiphodi River from the left occurs in this Sangam village. The village was previously known as Kasgaon, but since the construction of the temple at the confluence, it has been renamed Sangam. The Shai River joins the original Kalu River first; therefore, the river flowing through Sangam village is known as the Kalu River. The original Kalu River originates in the Malshej Ghat and eventually flows through Titwala to meet the creek. There is a belief that a perennial spring flows under the old bridge connecting Shahapur and Murbad, near this site. This spring is considered to be a river flowing in a hidden form, thus marking the confluence of three rivers (Triveni Sangam). Because the temple is situated at the confluence of these rivers, it was named Sangameshwar.

This modest temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the Sabha Mandap, facing the sanctum, is the Nandi Mandap. According to local records, the Nandi idol was installed in Shake 1864 (1942 AD) by Go. Ra. Zunjarao of Shivle. Sculptures of gatekeepers (Dwarapalas) are carved on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum. The door frame is intricately carved, with an image of Lord Ganesha on the lintel and a Kirtimukh on the threshold. One must descend seven steps from the Sabha Mandap to enter the sanctum, which is six feet deep. In the center of the sanctum is the ancient Shiva Pindi. There are three niches in the wall behind the Shiva Pindi, one of which contains an idol of Goddess Parvati. Near the Pindi is Lord Shiva’s weapon, the Trishul, with a Damaru placed upon it. The entire stone construction of the sanctum and its dome bears witness to the ancient architectural style. The ceiling of the sanctum tapers in a circular fashion. Small windows are incorporated into the stone walls to ensure proper ventilation under this roof.

Steps have been built from the temple’s Sabha Mandap to descend into the riverbed. An ancient Deepmala (lamp tower) stands adjacent to the riverbed in front of the temple. Villagers believe that no matter how heavy the rainfall, this lamp tower never goes underwater. A grand festival is celebrated here on Tripuri Purnima. A one-day fair is held on Mahashivratri, during which a palanquin procession is taken through the village. Additionally, thousands of devotees visit for darshan every Monday of the holy month of Shravan. Abhishekam is performed daily on the Shiva Linga in this temple. Furthermore, funeral rites and other rituals are conducted in the surrounding area.

Due to the continuously increasing number of devotees visiting the temple, renovation and restoration work began in May 2024, while preserving the original form of the temple. The foundation stone laying ceremony for the newly constructed temple was held in the presence of Pirji Yogi Ganeshnath Maharaj of Trimbakeshwar, Mathadhipati Yogi Phulnath Maharaj of Takeshwar Math, and Yogi Gopinath Maharaj of Sangameshwar Math.

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