Pavitra Shivrajeshwar Temple Sindhudurg, Malvan, Sindhudurg

To counter the naval strength of aggressive powers like the English, Portuguese, Dutch, and Siddi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built sea forts and a navy. The Sabhasad Bakhar states, “By creating sea forts, he gathered ships and placed a yoke upon the sea.” This act of placing a yoke upon the ocean was truly a jewel in the history of India. Sindhudurg is one of the impregnable sea forts built by the Maharaj. On this very Sindhudurg, which was touched by the sacred hands of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself, stands the first temple of Shivraya in Maharashtra.

The historical tale of Sindhudurg fort is that after capturing Kudal, Shivaji Raje came to Malvan in November 1664. At that time, it was in Shivraya’s mind to build an invincible sea fort like the Siddi’s Janjira. Regarding this, a legend is given in the ‘Shri Chhatrapatinche Saptaprakarnatmak Charitra’ written by Malhar Ramrao Chitnis: “At that time, desiring a place like Janjira, he prayed to the Lord with great concern and received a vision that Janjira is not possible at this time. A period of seven hundred years has been ordained. You should seek a site near the sea.” Upon performing three fasts, the ocean gave a vision: “The island of the Koli people called Malvan, which is small for docking ships, is given to you. Build your place there.” Following this, when he looked the next day, the sea water had receded, and the area up to the island had become vast.

This is the island named Kurte near the coast of Malvan. In the ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajanchi Bakhar’ written by Chitragupta, it is said that “seeing that place, the Maharaj was pleased. There is no such place among the eighty-four ports.” Thereafter, the Maharaj ordered the Kolis of Malvan—Tanaji, Manaji, Gangaji, and Savji—to “examine the place and find out the way to reach it.” They inspected and verified the place thoroughly. There was fresh water on this island, and the path to reach it was difficult, serpentine, and arduous for enemy ships. After the Kolis, disregarding their lives, found the path and informed the Maharaj, he rewarded them with gold bracelets, turbans, Paithani sarees, Pashodi shawls, brocade trousers, about 100 Padshahi Hons each, and gifted villages to the four of them. After that, finding an auspicious time, he performed Ganesh Pujan and Samudra Pujan. Five hundred stone-cutters, two blacksmiths, and others—a total of three thousand men—were appointed for the construction of this fort. The foundation of this fort was laid on 25 November 1664. Subhedar Govind Vishwanath Prabhu of Kumbhar Juwe was appointed to supervise this work. Significantly, according to ‘Chitragupta’s Bakhar’, “the Maharaj himself provided all the techniques for the construction.” Spread over 48 acres, with a fortification 29-30 feet high, 12 feet thick, and two miles in circumference, featuring 32 bastions, the construction of this sea fort took about one crore Hons and three years. Regarding this, Chitragupta stated, “Among the eighty-four ports, this Janjira was created as an invincible place, a thorn in the side of the eighteen foreign powers.” Chitragupta honored this fort as the “lotus heart of the Maharaj.”

In such an inaccessible fort stands the world’s first temple of Shivchhatrapati. In the very first issue of the monthly magazine ‘Itihas Sangraha’, edited by Dattatraya Balwant Parasnis in August 1908, a historical article by Historian V. K. Rajwade was published. In it, he stated that “this temple of Shivaji Maharaj was originally built by Rajaram Maharaj, and the assembly hall (Sabhamandap) was added later by the Kolhapurkar.” According to the Archaeological Survey of India, this temple was built around the year 1695. During this period, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj was in Jinji, and the Mughal turmoil was ongoing in Swarajya. Rajaram Maharaj had bestowed the title of ‘Hukumatpanah’ upon Ramchandrapant Amatya, who was managing the affairs of Swarajya from 1689 to 1697. It is said that Rajaram Maharaj built this temple during this time. The spacious assembly hall of this temple was built by Kolhapurkar Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj during 1906-1907 at a cost of 3850 rupees at that time.

As soon as one enters the fort through the main gate of Sindhudurg, there is a small shrine of Jarimari in front. Moving some distance from that temple, the bright white temple of Shivrajeshwar comes into view. This temple stands on a plinth a few feet high. The structure of the temple consists of an assembly hall (Sabhamandap), an intermediate chamber (Antaral), and a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). There is a tall spire over the intermediate chamber and the sanctum. The intermediate chamber has three low, elephant-back shaped spires topped with Amalaka and Kalash. The two-storied assembly hall of the temple is five steps high. Above the assembly hall is the Naubatkhana (drum room). One enters the intermediate chamber through this simple and open hall, which has large square pillars and grand arches without any carvings or decorations. The intermediate chamber is of an enclosed type. There are arched gateways on low but wide pillars. In the ancient stone sanctum of the temple, on a high throne, is a very unique idol of Shivraya. The idol wears a brass mask of Shivrajeshwar, upon which a helmet (Jiretop) is placed. In front of the idol is a long sword. On this throne, beside it, a photograph of the original idol is placed.

Historian Rajwade has stated that this is an exact likeness of Shivaji Maharaj. It wears anklets and trousers. The very end of the trousers is slightly turned up. There is a waist ornament at the waist. It looks like a belt. It must have been a belt for carrying weapons when necessary. There are bracelets on the hands. There are armlets on the upper arms, and the body above the waist is bare. On the head is a Kokani Koli’s cap like that of a sailor. The shape of this extraordinary sailor’s cap, or ‘Bandari’ crown, is slightly different from the cap worn by ordinary Kolis. The face of this idol is shown facing forward. It is well-proportioned; however, the lower limbs are not as proportionate as they should be. The idol is short and sturdy. After describing this, the historian said, “In summary, one must look at the idol of Shivaji Maharaj at Malvan as the king of the Kolis and sailors.”

In this temple, the Sanai-Chaughada (traditional musical instruments) is played every day at 5 AM and 7 PM. Muslim and Dalit devotees here perform the Naubat service in the temple. While the Naubat is being played, the idol of Shivrajeshwar in the sanctum is fanned with peacock feathers. Every Monday, the Shiv-Palkhi (procession) is taken out in the temple with great enthusiasm and in a traditional manner. On behalf of the Karveer Chhatrapati, a helmet and clothes are offered to the temple every year.

Another unique feature of this temple is that it carries forward the tradition of religious harmony that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj adopted during the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya. Every year, the Muharram Tazia is placed in the assembly hall of this temple. It is said that the tradition of celebrating Muharram within the fort was started during the time of Shivraya for the Muslim soldiers stationed there. Following this custom, Muharram is celebrated in Malvan. First, the Tabuts are brought to the Shivrajeshwar Temple, where prayers are offered. A procession of the Tabuts is then taken around the temple. Later in the afternoon, the Tabuts are transported by boat to Medha-Pirachi Bhati in the city. In the evening, a procession of the Tabuts is taken through the city. Hindu and Muslim brethren celebrate this festival together.

Just like the idol of Shiva in the Shivrajeshwar Temple, the imprint of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s palm and his footprints are carved into the stone on the western wall of the fort’s ramparts, a short distance apart. A small shrine has been built over them, and they can be viewed through a glass enclosure. This fort also houses the Amriteshwar Temple, Bhavani Temple, Mahadev Temple, and Jarimari Temple. There is a small shrine of the south-facing Maruti at the main entrance of the fort.

The structure of the Mahadev Temple inside the fort is unique. It is a four-sided, tiled building on the ground level; however, this is only the upper part of the temple. The lower part is situated below ground level, accessible by descending a few steps. In the center of this temple, there is a well built of dressed stone, which has a parapet. On the ground level, near the back wall of the temple, is a small Shiva Linga, with a small stone Nandi placed in front of it. There is a legend about this temple that there is an underground passage large enough for a horse to pass through. Some believe that this tunnel goes under the sea and emerges in a cave near the Samadhi of Brahmanand Swami in Ozar, near Malvan.

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