Historic Kumbhajai goddess Kumbhwade, Vaibhavwadi, Sindhudurg

The village of Kumbhavade in Vaibhavwadi Taluka is nestled amidst dense greenery and a nature-blessed region. The temple of Goddess Kumbhajai, the village deity (gramadaivat), is a place of deep faith for devotees from the surrounding five villages (panchkroshi). Every year in the month of February, the unbroken Harinaam Saptaha held at this temple is renowned throughout Konkan. Many eminent kirtankars and pravachankars from Maharashtra visit here. Thousands of Varkaris attend to participate in this celebration, giving this event the vibrant atmosphere of a grand pilgrimage (yatra).

Kumbhaja is one of the names of the Goddess. The Goddess is addressed by the name Kumbhaja in the ‘Shri Lalita Trishati Stotra’. A reference to the divine name as ‘Shumbadima Dhambonidhi Kumbhaja Nibha Devi’ is also found in the state anthem ‘Kayo Shri Gouri’ of the former Mysore State. This anthem was composed in the year 1881 during the reign of King Chamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore by the royal court poet Basavappa Shastri. It is said that the name Kumbhajai was formed from the combination of the words ‘Kumbhaja’ and ‘Aai’ (Mother), and the village was named Kumbhavade after her. There are several villages named Kumbhavade in Maharashtra. Even in the Konkan region, villages named Kumbhavade exist in Dodamarg, Rajapur, and Kankavali talukas. However, the temple of Kumbhajai is situated in this Kumbhavade of Vaibhavwadi Taluka. 

Kumbhajai is the principal deity of Kumbhavade, and it is a self-manifested (swayambhu) site of a Shiva Linga. A swayambhu linga or swayambhuvalinga is considered the most sacred because it manifests naturally and has existed since time immemorial. Therefore, even if it gets damaged, there is no need for its consecration or renovation (jeernoddhar). The swayambhu Shiva Linga in Kumbhavade is of ‘Rujiv Pashan’—meaning a stone that has naturally rooted and merged seamlessly with the earth. According to an old legend, a round, pitcher-like (kumbha-like) pind was seen on the bedrock here, which is why this place came to be called Kumbhajai. It is said that there was an underground tunnel (bhuyar) at the Kumbhajai site where a serpent (bhujang) used to grant darshan. The villagers used to leave milk at this place every Monday.

The village of Kumbhavade can be reached from Vaibhavwadi town via Sonali and Karul route. The grand archway of the Kumbhajai Devi temple is located about 20 to 25 meters from the main road. One enters the temple courtyard through this arch. Along with the Kumbhajai temple, there are independent temples of Ekviradevi, Gangeshwar Dev, Hanuman, Vetaldev, and Brahmandev here. Having the principal village temples in a single place is a special feature of this village.

There is a deepmal (lamp tower) in the courtyard of the Kumbhajai temple. This deepmal features a circular pillar that tapers towards the top on a tall square pedestal, with semi-circular stone structures built on all sides to hold lamps. There is a Tulsi Vrindavan near the temple entrance. Above the entrance gate, there is a relief sculpture of two majestic elephants (gajaraj) with a sacred kalash in between them. The architecture of the Kumbhajai temple consists of a semi-open sabhamandap (assembly hall) followed by the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), leaving a pradakshina path (circumambulation path). The entire temple is laid with marble flooring. Steel railings have been installed between the sabhamandap and the garbhagriha. In the center of the garbhagriha is the swayambhu rujiv pashan, and its pitcher-like shape on top is clad in a copper sheet. It is worshipped as Goddess Kumbhajai. Often, a serpent deity sculpture with a protective hood (fana) is seen over a Shiva pindi. Similarly, behind Goddess Kumbhajai here, there is a brass serpent sculpture with five hoods. 

Directly in front of the Kumbhajai Devi temple is the temple of Ekvira Devi. Ekvira is the family deity (kulswamini) of communities such as Koli, Agri, Kunbi, Sonar, Kayasth, Pathare Prabhu, Chaukalshi, Pachkalshi, Kshatriya, and Vaishya. The Ekvira Devi temple comprises a darshan mandap, a sabhamandap, and a garbhagriha. The darshan mandap is open, and inside the garbhagriha, on a vajrapeetha (sacred pedestal), stands the black stone idol of Ekvira Devi. This idol is four-armed (chaturbhuja) and holds weapons. She holds a sword (khadga) in one hand and a trident (trishul) in the other. Next to this idol on one side is another idol of a Goddess, while on the other side are ten roughly cylindrical, Shiva-linga-like stone symbols (tandle). In the year 2022, the kalasharohon (installation of the pinnacle kalash) and renovation of this temple were performed by the Shankaracharya of Karveer Pith. To the left of the Kumbhajai Devi temple is the temple of Gango Dev. This small octagonal-shaped temple features a modest sabhamandap and a garbhagriha. There is an idol of Nandi in the sabhamandap and a Shiva pindi in the garbhagriha. All three temples have shikharas (spires), of which the shikhara over the Kumbhajai Devi temple is comparatively larger. 

The unbroken Harinaam Saptaha is organized with great enthusiasm every year at the Rameshwar Kumbhajai Temple. Thousands of Varkaris along with many kirtankars attend this Saptaha. During this Saptaha, the temple premises acquire the festive feel of a pilgrimage. Similarly, festivals like Dasara, Tripurari Pournima, Datta Jayanti, and Shivratri are celebrated with deep devotion in the village. Since there is a firm belief that Goddess Kumbhajai immediately responds to the calls of married women visiting their maternal homes (maherwashinis), her festivals witness a massive gathering of women who originally belonged to the village and are now married and living elsewhere.

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