Ancient Renuka Mata Mandir Chandvad, Naasik

The Renuka Mata of Chandwad in Nashik district, which is the half-seat among the three and a half Shakti Peethas of the Goddess in Maharashtra, is the same as the Renuka Mata of Mahurgad in Nanded. This ancient temple of Renuka Mata in Chandwad is famous as a living divine abode. Devotees believe that the Mother Goddess appears in three forms (child, maiden, and elderly) throughout the day.

The legend regarding the temple is that Mother Renuka was the wife of Sage Jamadagni and the mother of Lord Parashurama. Every day, she would bring water from the river for her husband. One day, Mother Renuka was delayed in returning. When Sage Jamadagni perceived the situation through his inner vision, he saw that Renuka had become engrossed in watching a king and queen playing in the river. Sage Jamadagni was filled with immense rage at this action of Mother Renuka and commanded his son Parashurama to slay her. Accepting his father’s command as supreme, Parashurama severed his mother’s head from her body. The torso fell at Mahurgad, while the head fell at Chandwad. That is why there is a shrine of Mother Renuka at both these places. Even today, one can see only the holy footprints of Goddess Renuka at Mahur, and only the head at Chandwad.

This abode of Mother Renuka is situated in the lap of the Tambkada hills at Chandwad in Nashik district, on the Mumbai-Agra highway. In the courtyard outside the temple, there are two stone lamp pillars, a Tulsi Vrindavan, a sacrificial fire pit, and a sacred pond. The wall in front of the temple is constructed of dressed stone. Upon entering through the grand fortified gateway, one feels as if they have stepped into a cave. The temple premises are spacious. On both sides of the sanctum sanctorum, Queen Ahilyadevi built assembly halls. These assembly halls, as well as the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, are carved entirely out of stone. In the alcoves of the assembly hall, there are idols of Ganapati, Adimaya, and Mahadevi. There is a temple of Maruti in a small space.

In the sanctum sanctorum, there is a self-manifested idol of Mother Renuka in the form of a stone slab. The vermilion-smeared portion of the rock represents the head of the Goddess, which features eyes, a nose, and a mouth. The Goddess is adorned with a nose ring and a crown. The mask of the Goddess is crafted from approximately two kilograms of gold. has arrived. Adjacent to the idol of Goddess Renuka is the shrine of Parashurama.

This temple was originally in the form of a cave. Records indicate that the sturdy stone structure of the temple seen today was constructed during the reign of Ahilyadevi Holkar. Ahilyadevi was a devotee of Mother Renuka. Her palace, known as the Holkar Wada, is located two kilometers away from this temple. It is said that there is an underground passage from this palace to the temple, which is currently closed for security reasons. During the days of the pilgrimage, an image of Ahilyadevi is brought in a palanquin to visit the Goddess. This tradition has been continuing here for many years.

A grand fair is held for this Goddess during Navratri. Every day of Navratri, a palanquin departs from the Rangmahal in the morning. It carries the mask and ornaments of the Goddess. This palanquin proceeds to the temple of the Goddess under strict security. Throughout the day, the Goddess’s golden The mask and ornaments remain on the Goddess in the temple. By evening, this palanquin is brought back to the Rangmahal under police protection. During these nine days, religious programs such as the Goddess’s procession, Maha-abhishek, and Aarti are held here. During the festival, the temple is decorated with attractive lighting.

During the period of Navratri, thousands of men and women sit for ‘Ghati’ here with great devotion. Staying in the presence of the Goddess during these nine days to perform rituals, singing the praises of the Goddess, chanting hymns and mantras, reciting the Saptashati, and most importantly, chanting the name of the Goddess for nine days is known as ‘sitting for Ghati’. As devotees have a firm belief that this Goddess grants wishes and fulfills desires, thousands of devotees come here for darshan every day.

Through the ‘Renuka Devi Trust’, facilities for a pilgrim residence and rest house have been provided within the temple premises. The Archaeological Department also carries out improvements in the temple area from time to time. On the full moon day of every month, the palanquin procession of the Goddess is taken out. Additionally, the traditional worship and rituals of the Goddess are performed daily. Devotees can enter the sanctum sanctorum to have the darshan of Mother Renuka every day from 7 in the morning until 9 at night.

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