Pavitra Renuka Mata Temple Adgaon Raja, Sindkhed Raja, Buldana

The ancient temple of Renukamata is situated in Adgaon Raja, approximately १३ kilometers away from the city of Sindkhed Raja, the birthplace of Rajmata Jijau. It is believed that Mhalshabai, the mother of Jijau, had made a vow before the Renuka Mata enshrined in this temple, which was built in the Hemadpanti architectural style, for the blessing of a daughter. Folklore suggests that after her vow was fulfilled, she distributed sugar throughout the village while riding an elephant. Adjacent to this temple is a lake constructed by Lakhujiraje, which continues to quench the thirst of this village even today. A grand fair is held in the temple premises on Chaitra Purnima, and the vigil of Renukamata is observed here for all nine days during the Sharadiya Navratri festival.

Lakhujiraje Jadhav had received a mansabdari of ten thousand, twenty-eight mahals, and the watan of fifty-two chavdis from Murtaza Nizam Shah. Adgaon was an important village within his watan. Lakhujiraje had four sons: Dattaji, Achaloji, Bahadurji, and Raghuji. The jagirs of Deulgaon Raja, Mehuna Raja, Kingaon Raja, and Adgaon Raja were given to Dattaji, Achaloji, Bahadurji, and Raghuji, respectively. These villages are situated in the four cardinal directions of Sindkhed Raja city, at a distance of approximately १३ kilometers. Since members of the royal family resided in these villages, the word ‘Raja’ was added to the names of all four. There is a historical ground fort in this village that was built during the time of Lakhujiraje. The armory of Lakhujiraje was kept in this village under the custody of his elder brother, Raja Jagdevrao. Underground cellars that bear witness to this can still be seen inside the fort today. Although this fort has become dilapidated over time, the village is spread around it. Built with dressed stone and featuring ramparts about १५ feet high, this fort is designed in two parts: a decagonal outer wall and a square citadel on a mound in the center. There were a total of fourteen bastions in the ramparts of this outer wall, two of which have now been completely destroyed. Old residents also speak of a tunnel that led from Adgaon to Sindkhed Raja.

Upon entering the village, the ancient temple of Renuka Mata catches one’s attention. There is no definitive history available regarding exactly when this temple was built; however, it is believed to have been constructed in the Hemadpanti architectural style during the twelfth or thirteenth century. Lakhujiraje had four sons but no daughter. Consequently, his wife, Mhalshabai, made a vow before Renuka Devi in this temple. She had prayed to the Goddess, ‘If I am blessed with a daughter, I will distribute sugar throughout the village from an elephant.’ It is a popular legend in this region that after the birth of Jijau, Mhalshabai fulfilled her vow by distributing sugar in the village while riding an elephant.

Adjacent to the temple is a lake built during the time of Lakhujiraje. In front of the temple is a courtyard paved with paver blocks. The structure of the temple consists of a sabhamandap (assembly hall), antarala (vestibule), and garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). There is also a Shivalaya (temple of Shiva) in this temple complex. There are elegant pillar branches on both sides of the entrance. Due to some collapse of the sabhamandap over time, a tin roof has been installed on parts of the ceiling. There are many stone pillars in the sabhamandap. Various shapes are carved onto these pillars, which stand on stone bases. There is not much carving on the exterior of the temple, but many niches are carved into the walls of the sabhamandap, containing ancient idols of various deities. In a large niche on the left, one can see an ancient idol of Sheshashayi Vishnu and Lakshmi. Below this niche is a carved stone slab. It can be surmised that this was part of the original idol that was once in the temple. There is beautiful craftsmanship on the ceiling in the upper part. The niche in the antarala contains idols of Ganesha and other deities, and there is also beautiful craftsmanship on the ceiling here. Door pillars are carved at the entrance of the garbhagriha. Inside the garbhagriha, a large vermilion-anointed Tandala (stone symbol) of Renuka Mata is enshrined in a stone altar. Features such as the nose, eyes, ears, lips, and feet are carved onto it. In the antarala of the Shivalaya located in the temple, there is an idol of the serpent deity in one niche and another idol in the second niche. One has to descend three or four steps to enter the garbhagriha. Inside, there is a Shiva Linga in a large Shalunka. There are separate shikhars (spires) over the Renuka Mata temple and the Shivalaya. A small Bhaktaniwas (pilgrim lodging) has also been built in the area for the convenience of devotees coming from afar.

A grand fair is held at this temple on Chaitra Purnima. Many devotees from the surrounding areas come for the darshan of the Goddess during this fair. Various religious programs are organized here for all nine days during the Sharadiya Navratri festival. In the evening, the Aarti of the Goddess is performed in the presence of hundreds of devotees. This is followed by kirtan, singing, Dandiya dance, and cultural programs. During this festival, many generous donors distribute free snacks and a Mahaprasad of about three quintals of Khichdi to the devotees every day. At night, bhajans and a vigil for the Goddess are observed.

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