Divine Renuka Mata Temple Devala, Washim, Washim

Renuka Mata of Mahur is one of the three and a half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. Scholars state that Elamba (Ellamma), Ekvira, Yamamba (Yamai), Lajjagauri, Jogulamba, Bhudevi, Matangi, and Santeri are all forms of Renuka Mata. This Goddess is an incarnation of Parvati. There are many temples of Renuka Mata across the country. The Renuka Mata in the village of Devala is believed to be a divine manifestation of the Renuka Devi of Mahur. A unique feature of this village is that there are two shrines of the Goddess, one on this side of the river and one on the other. They are believed to be replicas of the Renuka of Mahur.

The word Renuka means the earth made of dust. She is Bhudevi. According to mythological legends, Renuka is the wife of Sage Jamadagni. In the Mahabharata, it is mentioned that Renuka originated from a lotus. It states that Renu was her brother and Somapa was her father. However, the Kalika Purana states that Renuka was the daughter of the King of Vidarbha. Renuka is worshipped on a large scale in the states of Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

Regarding the Renuka Devi temple at Devala, the legend goes that Narayanrao Patil Chalak of this place was a staunch devotee of Renuka Mata. He used to go to Mahur regularly for the darshan of Renuka Mata. As he grew older, he found it difficult to travel for the Goddess’s darshan. Even so, he continued to visit for some time. Seeing his old age and his devotion, the Goddess appeared before him and said, “It is no longer possible for you to come for my darshan, so I will accompany you to your village. Establish me there; but there is one condition: do not look back. If you look back, I will immediately establish myself right there.” Narayanrao began to walk accordingly. He reached the banks of the Painganga River. Just then, the sound of the anklets on the Goddess’s feet suddenly stopped. To check, Narayanrao looked back, and the Goddess settled right there. Narayanrao realized his mistake. He pleaded with the Goddess. Finally, the Goddess gave him one more chance, and she came to his village across the river and settled there. Because of this, there are still two temples of Renuka Mata in Devala today.

Since the temple premises are on the riverbank, it is adorned with trees and greenery. There are farmlands all around. There is a large lamp pillar (Deepastambha) in the temple courtyard. Beside it is a well. The Goddess’s temple is built on a high plinth. A large tin shed (mandap) has been erected in front of the temple. The temple is small in size but tall. A unique feature of its construction is that it has been realized by creating various square-shaped designs on the walls and the spire (shikhara). Its structure consists of a Sabha Mandap and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the tin shed in front of the Sabha Mandap, a colorful statue of a lion, the vehicle of the Goddess, is seated. In the Garbhagriha, the circular Tandala-style idol of the Goddess is installed in a large niche. The idol is smeared with vermilion. There is a large round vermilion mark on the forehead. The eyebrows and eyes are made of silver. There is a nose ring (nath) in the nose. The Goddess has a small crown on her head and a small silver canopy above it. In the temple premises, some small circular stones representing minor deities have been gathered and placed together on a platform. Near this temple, across the river, is the second Renuka temple. In the Garbhagriha of this recently renovated temple, a Tandala-style idol of Renuka Devi is also seated.

The main festival of the temple is the Navratri festival of the Goddess. Since the family of Renuka Mata’s devotees is large, there is a huge crowd of devotees here during this period. Various religious rituals are performed here during Navratri. Apart from this, various Hindu festivals and celebrations are also observed here in a religious manner.

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