Pavitra Gorakhnath Temple Manjarsumbha Fort, Ahilyanagar

Situated in the Garbhagiri mountain range of Ahilyanagar district, the Gorakshanath Temple at Manjarsumbha is a revered place of faith for the Nath Sampradaya and thousands of devotees. It is said that Gorakshanath performed penance here for 12 years, which is why this region is known as the Tapobhumi of Gorakshanath. Throughout the holy month of Shravan, Bhandara (Mahaprasad) is served to the visiting devotees. The fair held here on Kartik Shuddha Trayodashi to mark the Gorakshanath Prakat Din (manifestation day) is considered one of the largest fairs in the Ahilyanagar district.

According to the information provided in the 23rd chapter of the ‘Shri Navnath Bhaktisagar’ scripture, Guru Machhindranath, along with Gorakshanath and the young Mininath, had set out towards the Garbhagiri mountains via Nevasa-Sonai after visiting the Aundha Nagnath pilgrimage site. During this journey, they met Queen Mainavati. At that time, the Queen gave a gold brick to Machhindranath as Dakshina. Machhindranath continued his journey carrying it in his bag . While traveling, Machhindranath handed the bag containing the gold brick to Gorakshanath. Seeing the gold brick in the bag, Gorakshanath assumed that his Guru was attached to worldly wealth. Therefore, he threw the brick down from the Garbhagiri mountain and replaced it with a stone of the same weight in the bag. (The village where this brick fell was later named ‘Sonai’.)

Upon discovering that the bag contained a stone instead of the gold brick, Machhindranath expressed his displeasure and grief to Gorakshanath. This deeply saddened Gorakshanath. To appease his Guru, he used his spiritual powers (Siddhi) to turn the entire Garbhagiri mountain into gold. At that time, Machhindranath explained that the reason for accepting the brick from Queen Mainavati was not an attachment to gold, but a desire to offer food to deities, Gandharvas, and disciples after completing the pilgrimage. Upon understanding Machhindranath’s intention, Gorakshanath apologized to him. Thereafter, with the help of the Gandharvas, Machhindranath invited all the sages, munis, Ganas, Gandharvas, and rivers, along with the deities, to this fort in the Garbhagiri mountain range and offered food throughout the month of Shravan. He then stayed here for a few years and performed penance. This tradition has continued since then, and food is still offered here during the month of Shravan.

The route to the Gorakshanath Gad at Manjarsumbha, located on the Garbhagiri mountain near Dongargan on the Ahilyanagar-Vambori road, is accessible. There is a stairway path from the foothills to the fort. Now, a road has also been constructed directly up to the fort. Entering through the gateway of the magnificent, fortified temple situated on the mountain gives one the feeling of entering a fortress. The temple courtyard is spacious, with the Gorakshanath temple in the center. The temple structure consists of a Darshan Mandap, Sabha Mandap, and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). A queue system has been arranged in the Sabha Mandap to manage the crowd of devotees. In the Garbhagriha, there is an ancient, distinctive black stone idol of Gorakshanath on a pedestal. Along the circumambulation path (pradakshina marg) of the sanctum, there are idols of Hingla Devi, Shri Dattatreya, and Machhindranath.

The temple courtyard is paved, and the entire area appears lush and serene. A panoramic view of many surrounding villages can be seen from this area. During the month of Shravan, rituals such as Puja, Abhisheka, and Parayan are performed here daily from the morning. The Navnath devotees and the temple trust provide Bhandara to the devotees visiting here. The Gorakshanath Prakat Din festival is celebrated on Kartik Shuddha Trayodashi. A large fair is held at that time, and thousands of devotees gather for Darshan. Bhandara is also provided for devotees on this day. For the convenience of devotees from Ahilyanagar, special ‘Yatra Special’ ST bus services are available during this period.

Devotees can visit the temple and have Darshan of Gorakshanath daily from 4 AM to 9 PM. Aarti is performed in the temple at 4 AM and 6 PM.

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