Divine Renuka Devi Temple Somthana, Badnapur, Jalna

The ancient temple of Renuka Devi is situated on a high hill at Somthana in the Badnapur taluka of Jalna district. Renuka Devi is the principal deity of the Shakta sect and is considered the presiding deity of the Tantra path. As one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas, this Goddess has many sub-peethas across the country, and Somthana is one of the significant locations among them. This place is referred to as ‘Prati-Mahur’ or ‘Dhakti Mahur’. Local people worship this Goddess as ‘Jagadamba’ or ‘Vishwamata’. According to the faith of the devotees, this Goddess is highly awakened, a power that rushes to the call of her devotees and fulfills their vows. Many families from Badnapur and the surrounding areas come to this hill to seek the Goddess’s blessings before performing any auspicious work.

Various mythological stories are prevalent regarding the establishment of this temple. According to one legend, Lord Brahma himself installed the Goddess in the form of a ‘Tandala’ (stone symbol) at this place and entrusted the responsibility of protecting this region to the Goddess. According to another mythological reference, this temple is believed to date back to the Satya Yuga. When Lord Mahadeva and Mother Parvati came to earth for a pilgrimage, Parvati liked the scenic hill area of Somthana. As she expressed her desire to stay here, Goddess Parvati resided here in the form of Renuka Mata, and Mahadeva in the form of a Shiva Linga. From a historical perspective, this temple is about four hundred years old. Historical gazetteers and government documents also mention this temple as a major religious site of the taluka. Built in the original medieval or Yadava-era Hemadpanti architectural style, the temple has been renovated several times over the years. Historical records indicate that even during the Nizam’s rule over this region, the existence of the temple and its rituals continued uninterrupted.

The first welcome arch of the temple is located at Somthana Phata on the Jalna-Aurangabad road. The temple is about four kilometers from here. There is a paved road up to the foothills. From the foothills to the temple, two options are available: a path of about 150 steps and a road. Both sides of the stairway are fitted with iron pillars topped with curved metal roofing. There is a parking facility at the top of the hill. From here, the ‘Samruddhi Mahamarg’ connecting Mumbai to Nagpur is clearly visible. The temple premises have been beautified in recent times. There are two large lamp towers (Deepmalas) in the courtyard. Entering the temple’s assembly hall (Sabhamandap) requires climbing 15 steps from the courtyard to the elevated platform. In the assembly hall, there is a brass sculpture of a lion, the Goddess’s vehicle, on a pedestal, with a sacrificial fire pit (Homkund) in front of it. There are seats along the walls of the assembly hall for devotees. Beyond this, the inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) is designed with an antarala and a circumambulation path (Pradakshinamarga). The ceiling of this antarala features intricate Meenakari decoration with colorful glasswork. In the center of the Garbhagriha is the self-manifested (Swayambhu) idol of the Goddess, with ornate gold-plated craftsmanship behind it. In front of the main idol, in the antarala, is the Utsav-murti (processional idol) of the Goddess. The three-tiered square spire (Shikhara) above the Garbhagriha tapers towards the top, crowned with an Amalaka and a Kalasha.

In the temple premises on the hill, there is a small pond with perennial water. It is believed that bathing in the water of this pond cures skin diseases or other physical ailments. Opposite the Renuka Devi temple is the temple of Mahadeva. In front of its entrance is a Nandi made of black stone. Inside the temple, there is a Shiva Linga in the center of the floor, with a copper cobra and an Abhishek vessel placed on it. The spire of this temple is of a two-tiered pagoda type. In the Parashurama temple next to the Mahadeva temple, there is an idol of Parashurama in black stone on the pedestal. According to mythological references, Renuka Mata has two sisters. One of them resides at the foothills of this same Somthana hill, and the other sister is situated on a hill at Gadejalgaon in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. It is considered meritorious to have the Darshan of all three sisters.

Several facilities have been provided for the convenience of devotees in the temple premises. During Navratri, platforms for tents are erected for devotees staying here. The creation of the Urdhva Dudhana project in 1965 transformed this area. This dam has proved to be a boon for agriculture in this region, and the natural beauty has also increased the number of tourists. The Somthana Renuka Mata Sansthan organizes ‘Annadan’ (food donation) activities throughout the year. There is also a Bhakta Niwas (pilgrim guest house) and drinking water arrangements for devotees coming from afar. The natural beauty of this area blossoms during the monsoon, making it a center of attraction for tourists.

Sharadiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri are the two main annual festivals celebrated at the temple. During these times, thousands of devotees come to offer ‘Oti’ to the Goddess and fulfill their vows. During Navratri, devotees stay in the area for ten days by setting up tents. Additionally, festivals like Chaitra Padwa, Dussehra, Diwali, the months of Shravan and Margashirsha, Nag Panchami, and Mahashivratri are celebrated with enthusiasm. During festivals, programs like Bhajans, Kirtans, discourses, Gondhal of the Goddess, and Homa-Havan are organized. A fair (Yatra) is held here on Chaitra Purnima, during which the Goddess’s palanquin procession takes place. There is a large crowd for Darshan on Tuesdays, Fridays, Ashtami, Purnima, and Amavasya. The daily schedule of the temple begins at five in the morning. The first Aarti is at six in the morning, Naivedya and Aarti at twelve in the afternoon, and Dhuparati and Shejarati at seven in the evening. The temple doors close for devotees at nine 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