Ancient Yamai Temple, Kanersar, T. Rajgurunagar, t. Pune

The famous temple of Goddess Yamai is located in the village of Kanersar, situated ۱۵ kilometers from the taluka headquarters of Rajgurunagar in Pune district. This Goddess, who rushes to answer the calls of her devotees, is regarded as an incarnation of Mother Renuka. She is the family deity (Kuladevi) for many citizens in the surrounding region. This temple, constructed entirely of stone, is said to date back to the thirteenth century.

The legend of this temple is as follows: Saint Kanho Maharaj Pathak was considered the spiritual uncle of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. He possessed immense devotion toward Lord Vishnu and Mother Renuka. He would only consume food after offering Naivedya to the Goddess at Mahurgad every day. In his old age, he requested Mother Renuka to come to his village, Kendur. Pleased with him, Mother Renuka agreed to come to Kendur on the condition that he must not look back. True to her word, the Goddess began to follow Kanho Maharaj. As she walked, the sound of the anklets and bells on her feet could be heard. Where the temple stands today, there was once a forest. The Goddess, finding the forest enchanting, stopped there for a few moments. Because the sound of the Goddess’s anklets ceased, Kanho Maharaj, who was walking ahead, looked back. At that very moment, the Goddess vanished. Realizing his mistake, Kanho Maharaj began to pray to the Goddess. Hearing his plea of “Ye Mai, Ye Mai” (Come Mother, Come Mother), the Goddess appeared before him; however, because the condition was broken, she refused to go to Kendur. Telling him that she would remain at this very spot, the Goddess disappeared at Kanersar. Because Kanho Maharaj addressed the Goddess as “Ye Mai,” this shrine of Mother Renuka came to be known as Yamai Devi.

Near Kanersar village, right along the main road, stands the grand and ornate arch of the Yamai temple. On the upper side of the arch are two spires (kalash), Goddess Saraswati, and sculptures of lions on both sides. On the lower side, there are two sculptures of guardians. Upon entering through this arch, there are shops selling worship materials on both sides. About ۱۰۰ meters from there is the ornate main entrance of the temple. In front of the entrance, there is a large, pristine white marble sculpture of a lion. On one side of this entrance is a small temple dedicated to Saint Kanho Maharaj Pathak, the devotee whose devotion brought the Goddess to this place.

The temple premises are spacious. The temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). There are exquisite sculptures on the outer and inner walls of this Sabha Mandap, including those of gods, goddesses, saints, sages, and various animals. The intricate carvings enhance the beauty of the temple. In the sanctum, the pleasant idol of Yamai Devi is housed in an ornate silver shrine. The Goddess’s appearance is further enhanced by a silver crown and a golden mask. Outside the sanctum, there is a ۴۰۰-year-old idol of Saraswati. Behind the temple is a temple of Lord Shiva. The equation “Where there is Shakti, there is Shiva” can be seen here as well. The temple spire is very attractive and features highly detailed craftsmanship. Hundreds of sculptures of saints and holy men are carved upon it. The attractive coloring on the sculptures highlights the fine artistry.

The Aarti of the Goddess is performed daily at ۵:۳۰ AM, ۱۲:۳۰ PM, and ۸:۰۰ PM. Along with the Aarti, an Abhishekam is performed for the Goddess at ۵:۳۰ AM and ۱۲:۳۰ PM. Every Tuesday, a procession (Pradakshina) is carried out around the temple with the Aarti; furthermore, a village procession takes place on every full moon (Purnima). During this time, the palanquin of Yamai Devi is taken out. There is a record of the temple’s renovation in the years ۱۸۴۷-۴۸. A special festival is celebrated here on Gudi Padwa. In the morning, the Goddess’s ritual bathing, worship, and Maha Aarti are performed. At this time, the forecast for the entire year is predicted, primarily focusing on rainfall and weather conditions.

The Kanersar fair is held on Chaitra Purnima. The Hanuman Jayanti festival takes place at the Maruti temple, followed by the commencement of the Yamai Devi fair. During this time, Yamai Devi is worshipped by offering sarees, blouses, and fabrics. Prayers are offered to the Goddess. The palanquin, carrying the mask of the Goddess, is taken around the village. Many devotees from the taluka and the district attend this ceremony. Apart from this, various programs are also held here during Navratri.

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