Prasanna Shree Kalbhairavnath Temple Punewadi, Parner, Ahilyanagar

There are many magnificent temples of Kalbhairavnath in the Ahilyanagar district; however, the uniqueness of Punewadi village in Parner taluka is that there are two Kalbhairavnath temples within a distance of barely 100 meters in the same village. One of these temples is carved into the rock on the hill, while the other grand temple is situated at the foothills of the same mountain. These Kalbhairavnath temples are famous, and hundreds of devotees come here for darshan every day.

The legend of the temple states that a woman named Padmavati from Punewadi village was a devout follower of Kalbhairavnath. Every morning, she would go to the Kalbhairavnath temple on the village hill, and only after that would she perform her other daily chores. This routine of hers had been going on for many years. Pleased by her pure devotion, one day Kalbhairavnath appeared and asked her to seek a boon. Upon this, Padmavati expressed her desire for the deity to reside in her home shrine.

Accepting her request, the deity said ‘Tathastu’ (so be it) and agreed to accompany her; however, the deity placed a condition before her. According to this, no matter what happens, you must not stop or look back until you reach your home. If you stop or look back, you will turn into stone right there. Padmavati accepted this condition and began walking towards her home in the village. As soon as Bhairavnath reached the foothills behind her, there was a loud thunder and lightning. Frightened by this, she stopped at the foothills. Consequently, the deity also stopped there. Where the deity stopped, a self-manifested (Swayambhu) idol of Kalbhairavnath appeared, and where Padmavati stopped, she turned into stone. Years later, the villagers built a grand temple of Kalbhairavnath at this spot. Padmavati’s stone is located within the temple premises.

Located near Parner on the Parner-Kanhur road, the Kalbhairavnath temple in Punewadi is considered a very powerful (Jagrut) site. One enters the temple courtyard through a grand arch on the main road. The courtyard is paved, making the temple premises look clean and beautiful. In front of the temple stands a two-storied temple of Kalbhairavnath of the same height as the tall lamp pillar (Deepmal) in front of it. The temple acquired this form after renovations done a few years ago. The temple is built on a plinth (Jagati) 4 to 5 feet above the ground. One can reach the entrance of the temple by climbing 7 to 8 steps.

Images of gatekeepers (Dwarpalas) are carved on both sides of the entrance, and there is a drum house (Nagarkhana) above. The assembly hall (Sabhamandap) of this temple is spacious and houses a white marble Nandi. The beauty of this Nandi is enhanced by the red stone frills upon it. There is beautiful craftsmanship on the pillars and walls of the assembly hall. Opposite the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, there are about 20 to 25 large brass bells and a drum (Nagara). These bells and the drum are used during the Aarti.

The door frame of the sanctum sanctorum has attractive carvings, and a Shiva Linga is carved on the lintel (Lalatbimba). This Shiva Linga is also unique, with a halo (Prabhaval) carved behind it. Such a lintel is rarely seen elsewhere in Shiva or Kalbhairavnath temples. Inside the sanctum, there is a vermilion-smeared stone of Kalbhairavnath in a silver arch, and a Shiva Linga is also present there.

The temple spire (Kalash) is 60 to 70 feet high. Many small niches (Devdyas) have been designed within this circular spire, and idols of various deities and sages are placed in each of them. Beautiful painting on these idols, along with the spire, makes them look distinctive. Padmavati’s memorial (Samadhi) is in the temple courtyard, which contains her stone.

There is a staircase from the side of this temple leading to the Kalbhairavnath temple on the hill. One can reach the Kalbhairavnath temple carved into the rock on the hill by climbing about 250 to 300 steps. A very large fair is held here on Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kalbhairavnath. It is recorded that more than one lakh devotees come here for darshan at this time. During the fair, the palanquin (Palkhi) of Bhairavnath is taken out.

Everyone, from children to the elderly, participates in it. During this festival, attractive electric lights are illuminated from the temple on the hill to the temple at the foothills. Both these temples light up with this illumination. The area takes on the appearance of a fair at that time. The temple committee distributes Mahaprasad to the visiting devotees. The bullock cart race held here on the occasion of this festival is famous, and hundreds of bullock carts come here to participate.

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