Prasanna Shree Nagoba Temple Shetfal Nagoba, Karmala, Solapur

The cobra is generally considered a friend of the farmer. However, in the minds of the common people, there is mostly fear regarding it. That is precisely why everyone is terrified the moment they spot a cobra. But there is a village in Maharashtra where the villagers are not afraid even upon seeing a cobra, live with them naturally, and consider them not just friends but members of their own households. That village is known as Shetphal Nagobache. Not only is there an ancient temple of Nagnath in the village, but more importantly, in every house in the village, even in newly constructed ones, there is a special place reserved for Nagoba.

In the village of Shetphal in Karmala Taluka, there are old stone mansions as well as many old houses built using stone and mud. In every such mansion and house, a loft is found at the upper level for the cobras. When repairing an old house, the safety of the loft is checked first. When building a new house, it is ensured that there is a special provision for the cobras. For this, circular bamboo structures are placed in a specially prepared earthen loft. This arrangement is made so that the cobras can live there with ease. Although this structure has changed slightly over time, the affection the village feels for the cobras has not changed. The population of the village is estimated to be around three thousand. However, the villagers claim that the number of cobras in the village is even higher than that.

According to the information provided by the villagers, it is said that the proportion of King Cobras among the snakes here is high. Yet, for many years, no one here has died due to a snakebite, nor has anyone been harmed by the cobras. Citizens of all communities and these cobras live harmoniously in Shetphal village. If someone spots a cobra on the road, they do not get scared; instead, they welcome it, saying that the Lord has arrived. Thereafter, taking care that no harm comes to it, it is respectfully released behind the Nagnath Temple in the village. It is said that this temple has a history of twelve hundred years. While in other temples a metal cobra hood may be present around the Shiva Linga, a temple with a cobra figure carved directly onto the Shiva Linga is rare. It is said that it is because of this Nagnath Temple, which houses such a Linga, that the cobra receives respect and affection in the village. Once cobras arrive in this village, they do not go anywhere else. A person in the village had seen an injury to a cobra’s hood during his childhood. Although the wound healed over time, the mark of the injury remained on the cobra’s hood. They claim that the cobra with such a mark is still seen roaming the village. Since the cobras have been living in the same place for many years, the villagers also say that they have become domesticated.

The legend regarding this temple is that the Mughal army, which had come to attack Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had also started vandalizing temples in this area. At that time, the invaders attacked here as well. They vandalized the Maruti temple outside the temple premises. Just as the entire army was about to enter the Nagnath Temple, a large swarm of honeybees emerged from the temple. The army that had come to destroy the temple was tormented by the stings of these bees. They all had to flee to save their lives.

Outside the Nagnath temple, there is a partially demolished Hanuman temple containing an idol of Hanuman. Behind this temple is the boundary wall of the Nagnath Temple. There are two doors in the walls on all four sides of the temple. One of these doors opens towards the well located near the temple. The water from this well was previously used for drinking and other temple activities. There is a well-designed stepped tank (Pushkarani) in the temple premises. There are idols of many deities in the niches of the walls of that tank. There are also some hero stones (Veergal) in the temple area. There are two idols of Nandi in the Nandi pavilion in front of the temple. The four pillars of the Nandi pavilion and the pillars in the assembly hall of the temple are of the same style. The structure of this temple consists of an enclosed assembly hall, an intermediate chamber, and the sanctum sanctorum.

Near the door to enter the temple, there are stone carved images of pairs of cobras. On both sides of the temple door, welcoming figures, gatekeepers, and Yaksha images are carved. Above these images is an ornate pillar branch. In the central hall of the temple, there are idols of a tortoise and Nandi. To the left of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, there is an idol of Shankar and Parvati. Although this idol is somewhat worn, the ornaments on Shankar and Parvati, who are seated on Nandi, and the objects in their hands are clearly visible. Ganpati is on Shankar’s lap, while an idol of Shadanana, meaning Kartikeya, is in Parvati’s hand.

In the sanctum sanctorum, there is the Shiva Linga. On the pedestal behind it is a mask of Shankar. There is a simple spire and a finial above the sanctum sanctorum. Nearby, there is another small Shiva temple, and its door appears to be a replica of the main temple’s door. A cobra image is also seen carved on the Linga in this temple.

In this temple, a Nama Saptah (seven-day chanting) is organized in the month of Chaitra as well as in Shravan. During this time, bhajans, kirtans, and a grand feast (Mahabhandara) are held. There is a two-day fair on Mahashivratri. At that time, the deity is taken around the village on Nandi. The festival of Nag Panchami is also celebrated here on a large scale. It is said that on this day, the cobras of the village are brought to the temple specially. But some cobras come to this temple on their own. All these cobras remain free in the temple. They remain calm and allow devotees to pay their respects. The women of the village gather around these cobras and sing songs.

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