Prasanna Shree Rameshwar Temple Vengurla, Vengurla, Sindhudurg

Located in the heart of Vengurla city in Sindhudurg district, the Rameshwar Temple is the presiding deity of Vengurla and a place of deep faith for many devotees. This site of Lord Rameshwar is considered to be a living, awakened presence for about 350 years. Devotees believe that Lord Rameshwar is a deity who fulfills vows and rushes to the aid of his devotees. After the fulfillment of their vows, devotees offer a coating of yogurt-rice or sugar-rice to the Shiva Linga of Rameshwar. This tradition has been followed for hundreds of years. The ‘Nagar Vachanalaya’ (City Library) located near this temple is a famous and ancient library of the Konkan region.

According to historical information, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had brought a large part of the Konkan region under Swarajya around the year 1655. At that time, the Maratha rule extended from Sangameshwar to Malvan. During this period, some Brahmin families from Rajapur settled in Kudal. Among them, a virtuous man named G. B. Dhamankar from one of the Brahmin families discovered the Shiva Linga of Rameshwar in the ground. It is said that Mr. Dhamankar used to farm on land in Wadkholwadi, located on the border of Vengurla and Tulas village. A stream flowed here from Tulas village. He built a dam on this stream and created a lake. This lake is famous today as the Nishan Lake. While excavating for this lake, Mr. Dhamankar found this Linga of Rameshwar. After consulting with the villagers, he installed this Linga in the Nageshwar Temple located in the center of the village.

Upon entering the premises of the Rameshwar Temple, one encounters a large two-story gateway. On the second floor of this gateway is the Nagarkhana. Even today, the Naubat (traditional drums) are played here in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The chariot of Rameshwar is kept near this gateway. On the day of Mahashivratri, Rameshwar is taken in a procession around the temple in this chariot, which was built in 1970. Adjacent to this gateway is the Dharmashala (pilgrim rest house). Arrangements are made there for the stay of devotees who arrive during festivals. Upon entering the temple premises from the gateway, one sees a Deepmal (lamp pillar) on a raised platform. Beside this Deepmal is a Tulsi Vrindavan. On the day of Tripurari Purnima, this Deepmal is illuminated with many lamps. Additionally, there is an Audumbar tree in the courtyard. A stone platform has been built around this tree.

The Rameshwar Temple is long and constructed in the ancient Konkan style using laterite stone. During the renovation, the villagers did not change the original structure of the temple. While maintaining the original structure, changes have been made from time to time for decoration and durability. There is a temple of Shri Ram and Sita within the temple premises.

The temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), Antaral (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Sabha Mandap here is spacious. It has many arches and massive pillars. It is said that during the pre-independence period, large meetings were held in this temple. The Sabha Mandap is semi-open in nature and has stone benches around it for devotees to sit. In the rectangular Sabha Mandap, there are two rows of stone pillars. These pillars are wide enough to be embraced. According to the Konkan architectural style, the floor of the Sabha Mandap between these two rows of pillars is a few inches deep. Beyond the Sabha Mandap, leaving a circumambulation path, are the Antaral and the Garbhagriha. The entrance to the Antaral features beautiful carvings with door guardians on both sides. The Antaral is also rectangular and has arch-like walls. In front of the Garbhagriha, on a raised platform, is a white statue of Nandi. On the front wall of the Garbhagriha, there are statues of Bhagwati in the left niche and Ganraya in the right niche. In the center of the Garbhagriha is the black stone Linga of Rameshwar. Compared to the temple, the Garbhagriha here is quite small.

In this temple, there are smaller shrines for Nitkareshwar, Shri Dattatreya, Hanuman, Shanidev, and Nagdevta. Among these, the temple of Nagdevta is even more ancient than the Rameshwar Temple. Therefore, all festivals like Datta Jayanti, Ganesh Jayanti, Hanuman Jayanti, Dussehra, Ram Navami, and Diwali are celebrated in this temple.

Every year, the annual Jatrotsav (fair) of the Rameshwar Temple is celebrated on Kartik Krishna Ekadashi. On the day of the fair, Padya Puja is performed in the morning, and palanquins are decorated in the afternoon. At night, the palanquin procession takes place. The palanquin and Tarangkathya (sacred poles) arrive at the Rameshwar Temple from the temple of Sateri Devi, the other presiding deity of this village. At this time, the entire temple is illuminated. A Dashavatar play is performed at night. On Mahashivratri, a procession of Rameshwar is taken out on a chariot. In the month of Ashadh, a Bhajan Saptah (week of devotional singing) is held starting from Krishna Pratipada. Devotees can have the darshan of Rameshwar daily from 6 AM to 1 PM and from 3 PM to 9 PM.

Near the Rameshwar Temple is the historical Nagar Vachanalaya. Started in the year 1871 during the British era, the former name of this library was ‘Native General Library’. It is said that in 1925, through the initiative of Swatantryaveer Savarkar and with the cooperation of the villagers, the name of this library was changed to ‘Nagar Vachanalaya’. Many great personalities and litterateurs like Swami Vivekananda, V. D. Savarkar, Sant Tukdoji Maharaj, V. S. Khandekar, and Shanta Shelke have visited this library. The library houses photographs of famous writers and a vast collection of books.

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