Prasanna Shree Gangasthan Temple Shiv Temple Vafe, Shahapur, Thane

The Gangasthan and the adjacent Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple located in Vafe, in the Shahapur taluka, are considered one of the most important ancient pilgrimage sites in the Thane district. Devotees hold a deep faith that the presence of the Godavari River manifests here. Situated on the banks of the Bharangi River, this holy site is also known as Ganga Devasthan. It is said that the Ganga Kund here is between six hundred and seven hundred years old. Later, Trimbakji Dengle, a minister of the Peshwas, built the Trimbakeshwar temple and constructed the Kund. At that time, he served as the custodian (killedar) of Mahuli Fort. He also built the temple adjacent to this one, which is known as the Kashi Vishweshwar Temple.

The legend of this shrine states that an Audumbar (cluster fig) tree has stood here since ancient times. About 700 years ago, a Sadhu Maharaj used to meditate under this tree. Every Ekadashi and Purnima, he would travel from here to the pilgrimage site of Trimbakeshwar near Nashik to bathe. From there, he would bring holy water (Gangajal) from the Godavari riverbed for his daily worship. He performed this pilgrimage to Trimbakeshwar for many years; however, due to old age, it became difficult for him to travel from Shahapur to Trimbakeshwar. He was distressed because the vow he had kept his entire life was being broken.

Once, while the Sadhu Maharaj was meditating under the Audumbar tree, the Goddess Godavari herself appeared in a vision and promised to come to meet him. The Godavari manifested right there. Since then, this place has become famous as Gangasthan and Prati-Trimbakeshwar (the replica of Trimbakeshwar). Later, a Kund was built in front of the temple for the river that manifested here. According to records in the Thane District Gazetteer, there were once five Kunds here. Two of these, along with the Trimbakeshwar temple and the Bhavanishankar temple (now known as Kashi Vishweshwar), were built by the Peshwa minister Trimbakji Dengle.

Trimbakji Dengle was a Patil from the village of Nimgaonjali in the Sangamner taluka. He was a trusted aide to Peshwa Bajirao II. Later, around 1814, he became a minister for the Peshwas. Prior to that, he was also entrusted with the custodianship of Mahuli. During that time, he built two Ganga tanks and two Shiva temples at Vafe. Previously, there were three more Kunds at this location. According to the 1882 Gazetteer, one of these was built around 1852 by the then Mamlatdar of Shahapur, Naro Bhikaji, while another was built by local villagers. The third Kund was constructed downstream on the Bharangi River using local funds. Today, only two of these Kunds are visible.

The Sadhu Maharaj, due to whom the Godavari is said to have manifested here, attained Samadhi under the Audumbar tree. The Sadhu Maharaj appeared in a dream to a saintly man named Balkrishna Ambikar, who resided in Masur (Satara). Following this, Mr. Ambikar came to Gangasthan and began serving at the Sadhu Maharaj’s Samadhi site. A few years later, he too attained Samadhi here. His Samadhi was later built by his disciple, Joshi, near the Santoshi Mata temple.

This shrine is located in the heart of Vafe village. It is said that the original Trimbakeshwar temple and the adjacent Kashi Vishweshwar temple were wooden structures. Over time, they were renovated. A large new assembly hall (Sabhamandap) has been built near the Trimbakeshwar temple. Upon entering this hall, the Trimbakeshwar temple is to the right and Gangasthan is to the left. The Trimbakeshwar temple is designed with an Antarala (vestibule) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the open-style Antarala, an ancient idol of Nandi carved from black stone is installed on a marble pedestal. Along with the beautiful carvings on the pillars of the Antarala, the ceiling is also distinctive. The dome-shaped ceiling is decorated on the inside with colorful glasswork. In the marble-carved niche to the left of the Garbhagriha entrance is an idol of Ganpati, and in the niche to the right is a Shiva Linga. The marble door frame of the Garbhagriha also features intricate carvings. The Garbhagriha is situated slightly lower than the Antarala. In the center of this sanctum lies a Shiva Linga made of black stone. This Shiva Linga was brought from the Narmada River at Omkar-Amleshwar. The Antarala of this temple is topped by an octagonal spire (Shikhara). The main spire above the Garbhagriha features niches and replicas of smaller spires, topped with an Amalaka and a Kalash. There are stairs leading from the Antarala of this temple down to a built-up Kund 10 feet below. This is referred to as the Ganga Kund. Water flows into this Kund from a cow-mouth (Gaumukh) in a steady stream throughout the year. Devotees believe this water comes from the Godavari in Nashik.

To the left of the Trimbakeshwar temple is the Kashi Vishweshwar temple. It consists of a Deepmal (lamp pillar), Nandi Mandap, Mukha Mandap, Sabha Mandap, and Garbhagriha. The ancient Deepmal in front of this temple was washed away in the great flood of 1940. Subsequently, devotees erected another Deepmal here. Next to this Deepmal is the Nandi Mandap, where Nandi is seated on a pedestal. Beyond that is the Kashi Vishweshwar temple. To the right of the Trimbakeshwar temple is the Audumbar tree, and beneath it is the seat of Shri Dattatreya. This is the very spot where the Sadhu Maharaj took Samadhi.

Recognizing the significance of the Gangasthan in Vafe, many saints and devotees used to visit for Darshan. The book ‘Shrimant Namdar Jagannath Shankarshet urf Nana Shankarshet hyanche Charitra’, written by Vinayakrao Madhavrao Pitale in 1916, mentions that Namdar Jagannath alias Nana Shankarshet of Mumbai built Dharamshalas (rest houses) here for their accommodation. Nana Shankarshet was originally from Murbad in the Shahapur taluka. He was a staunch devotee of Shiva and frequently visited the Bhavanishankar temple in Tardeo. He also made arrangements to provide three days’ worth of rations to the saints staying in the Dharamshala he built at Vafe.

It is said that there was a revenue officer named Pattekar in this village who did not have a son. When Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon visited this place, Pattekar prayed to him for a son. Gajanan Maharaj replied that he would have a son, but he would not lead a worldly life. That son was the famous saint of Thane, the late Gajanan Maharaj Pattekar. He had performed 11 recitations of the Guru Charitra under the Audumbar tree here.

Every year, on Tripurari Purnima, a Palkhi procession is carried out here. It is a tradition here that those who carry the Palkhi must wear white attire. A large fair is held here on Mahashivratri. Apart from this, the Ganga Pujan ritual is performed here every year.

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