Historic Bhairavanath Jogeshwari Temple, Chandeksare, Kopargaon, Ahilyanagar

In Chandekasare village of Kopargaon Taluka, there is an ancient temple of Balbhairavnath, one of the Ashtabhairavnaths, dating back one thousand two hundred years. The Yatra (pilgrimage fair) held here on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi is renowned. During this time, the sacred wedding ceremony of Balbhairavnath and Jogeshwari Devi is celebrated with great pomp and devotion. A unique feature of this Yatra is the ‘Hoik’ ritual, performed to predict the weather and rainfall. Thousands of farmers from the surrounding five villages gather at the temple premises to witness this ritual.

The legend of the temple states that this area, once part of the Dandakaranya forest, was home to the ashram of Sage Dadhichi. Here, Yagnas and religious rites were regularly performed, but the demon Kashasura constantly obstructed these sacred rituals. Kashasura had become arrogant due to a boon from Lord Brahma. He had received a blessing that he would only die by an arrow made from the ashes of a person who willingly immolated themselves. To subdue this arrogant Kashasura, Sage Dadhichi, before immolating himself, prayed to Lord Shankara and expressed his wish that Balbhairavnath should vanquish this demon. Accordingly, Balbhairavnath engaged in a fierce battle with Kashasura, but since Balbhairavnath was a Brahmachari (celibate), Kashasura could not be defeated. Therefore, on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi, Balbhairavnath was married to a maiden named Jogeshwari from this very place. After the wedding, Balbhairavnath used an arrow made from the ashes of Sage Dadhichi to slay Kashasura. The place where Kashasura was killed came to be known as ‘Kasare’, named after Kashasura. To preserve Balbhairavnath’s celibacy, Jogeshwari Devi, after the marriage, ended her life by jumping into a well.

The temple of Balbhairavnath is located in Chandekasare village, where Bhairavnath rested after the battle. Although definite information about the exact period of this temple is unavailable, an inscription found there indicates that the temple was renovated in the year one thousand six hundred and seventeen. Subsequently, a record of another renovation in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-five is carved in letters on wood.

This temple, situated alongside the old Mumbai-Nagpur highway, is surrounded by a stone fortification. The fortification features sturdy bastions on all four sides. In front of the temple’s main entrance stands a distinctive circular Deepmala (lamp tower). There is a small passage to enter inside this Deepmala, from where one can ascend to its top. For air and light, this Deepmala has several small gavakshas (windows) at various points.

The temple acquired its present form after the renovation carried out in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety. During the excavation at that time, an idol of Balbhairavnath was discovered underground. Based on that idol, a new marble idol was crafted and consecrated in the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). To the right of this idol are half-busts of Bhairavnath and Jogeshwari Devi. The Bhairavnath temple has been granted ‘C’ grade pilgrimage site status by the State Government.

The ‘Hoik’ (method of predicting weather) here is very famous. From ancient times, farmers would decide which crops to cultivate based on this ‘Hoik’. On the day before Gudi Padwa, eighteen pits are prepared behind the Bhairavnath temple according to the Nakshatras (lunar constellations), and five grains such as bajra, wheat, jowar, gram, and moong are placed in them. Five banyan leaves are placed over each pit, and water is sprinkled. After performing the puja rituals, the villagers depart. On the morning of Gudi Padwa, the villagers gather at the temple. Thousands of farmers from surrounding talukas also arrive. After the puja of Bhairavnath, the banyan leaves from the previous day’s pits are removed, and based on whether the pit is moist, dry, or if the grains have spoiled, the prediction for that particular Nakshatra is made. Farmers have great faith in these predictions.

A Yatra is held here annually on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi to celebrate the wedding ceremony of Bhairavnath and Jogeshwari. On the day of the Yatra, Ganga Jal (holy water from the Ganges) is brought in Kavads (yokes) early in the morning for Bhairavnath’s ritual bath. Five days before the Yatra, the Telvan (oil anointing) ceremony takes place. During this, turmeric is applied to Bhairavnath and Jogeshwari. For this, turmeric is collected from every household in the village. From the turmeric ceremony until the wedding, villagers from many surrounding villages observe a five-day fast. During this period, villagers do not yoke their ploughs in the fields, nor do they drive bullock carts. Women do not prepare kurdaya and shevaya (traditional snacks). After five days, the turmeric applied to Bhairavnath is removed, and the fast is broken after offering Puran Poli as Naivedya (sacred food offering). Some devotees offer a goat sacrifice to Kashasura. After the wedding ceremony of Bhairavnath and Jogeshwari Devi, a procession of silver masks is carried out in a palanquin in the evening. Thousands of devotees are present at this time. This procession continues late into the 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