Pavitra Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Beed Bypass, Bhalgaon Phata, t. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

In Hindu Dharma, the Kashi Yatra holds unique and immense significance. It is believed that visiting Kashi, having the darshan of Vishwanath, and bathing in the Ganga leads to liberation from all sins. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to travel to Kashi. For such devotees, a Kashi Vishwanath temple has been built right here in Marathwada. This beautiful temple, constructed in 2017, houses a magnificent six-foot-tall Shivling. Nearby, in the village of Bhalgaon, the Ramchandra Math houses a rare idol of Shriram and ‘Vamankarudha Sita’ (Sita seated on the left lap of Rama), which was personally consecrated by Samarth Ramdas Swami.

This temple is situated 20 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, on the Beed Bypass road of the Dhule-Solapur highway, on the border of Bhalgaon village. The Vishwanath Ghuge family from Ambarwadi village in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar built this temple in memory of their parents. Initially, it was to be built at a different location, and the Bhumi Pujan had even taken place there. However, after the ceremony, a cobra appeared and disturbed the site of worship. Later, it came and sat exactly where the Shivling is currently placed. Considering this a divine sign, this site was chosen for the temple. It is said that even today, cobras are regularly seen in the temple premises.

The original Kashi Vishwanath temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is in Varanasi. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of Varanasi, and according to mythology, this city was created on the tip of a Trishul. The current Kashi Vishwanath temple was built by Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780 AD. In Maharashtra, there is a Kashi Vishweshwar temple at Wai, at the confluence of the Krishna and Venna rivers, which was built in 1735 AD. Now, in the twenty-first century, this Kashi Vishwanath temple has been built at Bhalgaon Phata.

The white spire and kalash of this roadside temple catch the eye from a distance. The temple has a spacious courtyard paved with paver blocks. There are five arch-like doors on the front side of the temple. In the central arch, a Nandi is seated on a large pedestal within the Sabha Mandap. The arches on either side serve as entry and exit points for the temple. In front of the arches adjacent to these entrances, there are two large, intricately carved elephants. Entering through these arched doors leads into a spacious, rectangular Sabha Mandap with marble flooring. The Nandi idol in this hall is large and features distinctive carving and painting. This Sabha Mandap is open-style, and the pillars are also intricately carved. Benches have been provided on both sides of the hall for the convenience of devotees. A unique feature of this temple is that it has two sanctum sanctorums (Garbhagrihas). To reach the first Garbhagriha, one must climb 10 steps from the Sabha Mandap, while the second Garbhagriha is in the basement, requiring one to descend ten steps from the Sabha Mandap.

The first Garbhagriha features replicas of three small temples on a high pedestal. The central temple houses the idols of Vitthal-Rukmini. To its right is Ganpati, and to its left is Sai Baba. Below the pedestal, there is a ‘Kasav Yantra’ (tortoise yantra) in a glass case. The walls of this sanctum also feature portraits of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram. In the center of the basement sanctum is a massive, six-foot-tall Shivling. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that there is a cow’s face at the tip of the Shalunka (from where the abhishekam water flows out). A steel railing, shaped to match the Shivling, has been installed around it. Adjacent to this railing stands a nine-foot-tall Trishul and Damaru. On the wall in front of the Shivling is a distinctive white marble idol of Goddess Annapurna in a blessing posture. Additionally, there is a beautiful image on the wall of Shivshankar meditating on Mount Kailash. The Shivling is adorned with new decorations every day. Throughout the year, Mahaprasad is served to devotees visiting for darshan every Monday. During the month of Shravan, Mahaprasad is also served every Monday, Sunday, and Thursday.

Along with this magnificent Kashi Vishwanath temple, Bhalgaon is also famous for its ancient Shriramchandra Math. After receiving the grace of Shriram, Samarth Ramdas Swami spent several years traveling across India on a pilgrimage. He arrived in Mahabaleshwar in 1644 AD. The following year, he consecrated a Maruti idol in Masur and started the Ramnavami festival. During his lifetime, he installed 11 Maruti idols in the Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur regions and established many Maths in various places. It is said that the Math in Bhalgaon is one of them, and Samarth himself installed the idols of Shriram and Sita here. After the consecration, Ramdas Swami entrusted the responsibility of the Math to his disciple Tryambakrao (Bholaram) as the Mahant. According to local folklore, the village was named Bhalgaon after Bholaram.

There is a paved road leading east from the Kashi Vishwanath temple that goes directly to the Math. To the left of the road is the Math established by Samarth Ramdas Swami in a wada. In the sanctum of the Math, there is a large black teak wood shrine housing the Panchadhatu (five-metal) idols of Shriram and Sita. In the very first dhyan-shloka of the ‘Ramraksha’ stotra, composed by Sage Budhkaushik in the Anushtup meter, Shriram is described as ‘Vamankarudha Sita’. Idols matching this description are rare; one is in the Ram temple at Jamb (Dist. Jalna), the birthplace of Ramdas Swami himself, and another such idol was installed in 1884 in a Ram temple in Junnar, Pune district, where it is known as the ‘Rajyabhishek Murti’. The Math at Bhalgaon also houses a Shriram idol in the ‘Vamankarudha Sita’ form. There is an idol of Hanuman to the right of Shriram and an idol of Garuda to the left of Sita.

Ram Navami is celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The festival lasts for nine days. During this period, various programs are held, including Abhisheka, Dasbodh Parayan, Shri Ramvijay Granth Parayan, Maha Aarti, Maha Prasad, Shri Ramnam Jap, Divti Salaam composed by Harihar Swami, and Hari Kirtan. On the day of Ram Navami, the main ceremony begins with the Abhisheka of the idol of Shri Ram at 7:00 AM. Following this, the Ram Janma Utsav ceremony takes place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Maha Prasad is served at 12:00 PM, followed by the Maha Aarti at 2:00 PM. Vasant Puja is performed at 3:00 PM. In the evening, the Baragadi (chariot procession) program is held. Many devotees from the surrounding areas attend this celebration.

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