Ancient Bhairi Bhavani Temple Shringarpur, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri

The village of Shringarpur in Sangameshwar Taluka holds both historical and religious significance as it is the maternal home of Maharani Yesubai, the Empress of the Maratha Empire and wife of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. It is said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj discovered golden coins buried in the ground on Prachitgad Fort, which lies within the boundaries of Shringarpur. Thereafter, he established Bhairi Bhavani on this fort. It is believed that Devi Bhairi Bhavani, enshrined in Shringarpur, is a replica of the Bhairi Bhavani on Prachitgad.

According to historical records, Prachitgad Fort near Shringarpur was under the control of Suryarao Surve during Shivaji Maharaj’s era. At that time, Shivaji Maharaj had appealed to Suryarao Surve to join Swarajya (self-rule); however, instead of doing so, when Shivaji Maharaj was escaping the siege of Siddi Johar from Panhalgad and heading towards Vishalgad, Suryarao, who was serving the Adilshahi, attempted to obstruct Maharaj. Furthermore, Suryarao had also attacked Maharaj’s military camp in Sangameshwar. To teach him a lesson, Maharaj kicked Suryarao’s royal throne in Shringarpur, overthrowing it, and took control of the region, which included Prachitgad. During this time, Suryarao Surve fled without a fight.

Prachitgad Fort is situated on a hill to the east of Shringarpur village. After this fort became part of Swarajya, Maharaj would enter the fort’s gate seated in a palanquin. At that very moment, a sudden gust of wind blew his shawl away, and it got caught on a Bori (jujube) tree there. The palanquin bearers stopped. Everyone tried to retrieve the shawl from the thorns. Maharaj stood there, observing everything. Suddenly, something came to Maharaj’s mind, and he said, ‘This Bori has stopped me, dig here.’ As soon as Maharaj gave the command, the Mavlas (soldiers) began to dig the ground beneath the Bori tree with crowbars and shovels; but as they dug, the crowbars struck something, the soil moved away, and pots filled with golden coins were found there. The fort came into Swarajya, and underground treasure was discovered. Believing this to be all Devi’s grace, Maharaj established Bhairi Bhavani on this fort and ordered a temple to be built there. Since then, Devi Bhairi Bhavani has had a shrine on this fort. This Devi is the family deity of the Surve family here.

One can reach Prachitgad Fort after a difficult climb of approximately four and a half to five hours from Shringarpur village. This fort is located on the border of Ratnagiri and Satara districts. The Bhairi Bhavani Temple on the fort is famous as a जागृत देवस्थान (a living, awakened shrine). During the Maratha period, the worship rituals and all festivals of this Devi were celebrated here; however, after the British took control of the fort, the festivals there ceased. The villagers of Shringarpur often visited this temple for Devi’s darshan; but due to the difficult path and exhausting journey, some years ago, the villagers decided that this Devi should be brought down and enshrined in Shringarpur village. Accordingly, Devi’s ‘kaul’ (divine permission) was sought; but Devi gave the ‘kaul’ that ‘I will remain here, perform my worship and rituals here,’ which left the villagers with no choice. In the temple on this fort, there are idols of Shri Bhairi (Bhairav), Shri Bhavani, Shri Mahalakshmi, and the western deity of the fort, Kalkaai Devi.

Thereafter, some years ago, the Surve brothers from the surrounding areas of Kumbharkhani Budruk, Tulasani, Niwali, Tural, Kutare, Rajwadi, Pendkhale, Musad, Palwan, Oni, Devihasol, Goregaon, Tivre, and Poynar came together and sought Devi’s ‘kaul’ to enshrine her replica in Shringarpur village. After Devi gave her ‘kaul’ accordingly, these Surve brothers began the construction of the Bhairi Bhavani Temple at the foot of Prachitgad, at the entrance of Shringarpur village. After the temple’s construction was completed, it was inaugurated in a grand ceremony in two thousand eighteen by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Shri Brahmanand Saraswati Swami of Dakshinpeeth Karveer.

In this modernly constructed temple, the original four Shaktis of Shri Bhairi Bhavani from Prachitgad have been re-consecrated with proper rituals. This temple has a total of १३ spires, including the Ashtadikpalas (deities of the eight directions), and Lord Ganesha is enshrined at the Brahma-madhya (central point) of the temple. Situated on a plinth approximately three feet high, the temple’s structure consists of a Darshan Mandap (viewing hall), a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), and three Garbhagrihas (sanctum sanctorums). In front of the spacious Sabha Mandap, outside the main Garbhagriha, there is a marble idol of Ganesha. In the main Garbhagriha here, there is a unique idol of Bhairi Bhavani, about four feet tall, made of black stone. This idol has a crown on her head, a nose ring, various weapons in her four hands, and she is adorned in a sari. Intricate artwork is visible on the back slab of the Devi. In the Garbhagriha to the right of the main Garbhagriha, there is an idol of Bhairidev, and in the Garbhagriha to the left, there is an idol of Mahalakshmi. At the rear of the temple, there is an idol of the western deity, Mahishasuramardini.

Every year, the Vaishakh Pournima festival is celebrated here on a grand scale. In this festival, which takes place on Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi and Pournima, along with various programs, ‘Naman’ is performed on the first night, and ‘Devi cha Gondhal’ is performed on the evening of the second day. Tea, snacks, and meals are provided to the thousands of devotees who come for this festival by the Bhairi Bhavani Prachitgad Seva Sansthan.

Apart from the Bhairi Bhavani Temple and Prachitgad, Shringarpur village is famous because of Maharani Yesubai, the daughter-in-law of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and wife of Sambhaji Maharaj! Yesubai was the daughter of Maratha Sardar Pilajirao Shirke. No other woman in a royal family might have faced as many hardships in her life as this daughter of Shringarpur. Despite all the royal splendor, misfortune constantly followed her throughout her life. This Empress of the Marathas had to spend a full ३० years in enemy captivity; but the courage with which Yesubai faced these difficulties is unparalleled in history. She behaved as befitted a daughter-in-law of the Bhosle royal family until the very end. On ४ July १७१९, Yesubai returned from Mughal captivity in Delhi. She passed away in १७३१.

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