Goddess Panchavati of Sandvyavar, Nashik, Nashik

Since ‘Saptashringi Nivasini’, one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas of the Goddess, is located at Vani in the Nashik district, there are temples of Mother Saptashringi in many villages across the district. In Nashik city alone, there are over fifty temples dedicated to the Goddess. Among all these, the ‘Sandvyavarchi Devi Temple’, situated on the banks of the Godavari in Panchavati, is the most renowned. This temple is also referred to as the ‘Rajebahaddaranchi Devi’.

The legend of the temple states that Sardar Naroshankar Rajebahaddar of the Peshwas was a devout follower of Goddess Saptashringi. He would visit the Saptashringi fort every full moon (Pournima) to seek the Goddess’s blessings. This was his daily routine for many years. Later, due to old age, traveling to and from the fort became difficult for him. He began to feel distressed that he would no longer be able to have regular darshan of the Goddess. The Goddess, sensing his devotion, appeared to him in a vision and said, “I will come with you to your home.” However, while saying this, the Goddess set a condition: “You must not look back while I am following you. If you look back, I will stop right there and will not come any further.” Naroshankar Rajebahaddar accepted this condition. He set out from the Saptashringi fort with Naroshankar leading and the Goddess following. As the Goddess walked, the sound of her anklets could be heard. Upon reaching the banks of the Godavari, Naroshankar felt a desire to visit the Mahadev temple he had built. As he stopped there, the sound of the Goddess’s anklets ceased. Doubt crept into Naroshankar’s mind, and to see if the Goddess was truly following him, he looked back, only to find the Goddess standing right before him. As per the condition, the Goddess stopped right there. Naroshankar Rajebahaddar built the temple at the very spot where the Goddess halted, and this is the ‘Sandvyavarchi Devi Temple’.

The temple is located in the Godavari riverbed, adjacent to the temple built by Naroshankar. Since the temple is situated directly in the riverbed, water enters the temple during floods. In front of the temple stands a tall stone lamp pillar (Deepmal). Every Tuesday, Friday, and on the full moon, this pillar is illuminated with lamps. At night, the lamp pillar, glowing with many lights, catches the attention of everyone on the banks of the Godavari.

It is believed that the Sandvyavarchi Devi is none other than the Saptashringi Nivasini of Vani. Therefore, the idol of the Goddess here is identical to the one on the Saptashringi fort. The idol has 18 arms holding objects such as a string of beads (Manimal), lotus, arrow, sword, vajra, mace, discus (chakra), trident, axe, conch, bell, noose, shakti, staff, shield, bow, drinking vessel, and a water pot (kamandalu). The Goddess has one hand placed behind her ear on the left side, as if she is listening to the pleas of her devotees. It is customary to visit the ‘Sandvyavarchi Devi’ after having darshan of the Saptashringi Devi on the fort.

The place in the Godavari riverbed where the temple now stands was once a ‘Sandva’ (a canal or water channel). When the water of the Godavari began to flow through this channel, passage was blocked. At other times, people used this channel to commute. Because the temple is located near this channel, the Goddess came to be known as ‘Sandvyavarchi Devi’ (The Goddess on the Channel). Her Chaitrotsav and Navratrotsav are celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. The adornment (Shringar) of the Goddess during Navratri is unique. From the first day, the Goddess is dressed in daily ceremonial garments, and her adornment is enhanced with various types of jewelry until the ninth day. During this time, the form of the Goddess in her finery looks even more radiant. Even today, the fourteenth generation of Sardar Naroshankar manages the affairs of this temple.

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