Sacred Bhargavaram Temple Ajgaon, Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg

The only temple dedicated to Parashurama in Sindhudurg district, who with His mighty prowess pushed back the ocean and created the Aparanta region stretching from Bhrigukachchha (Bharuch) to Kerala, is located in Ajgaon. Parashurama is the revered deity of this village, which was known in ancient times as Adyagrama. As Parashurama was born into the Bhargava lineage, He is also addressed as ‘Bhargavarama’. In Ajgaon, Parashurama is worshipped by the name Bhargavarama. Here stands His temple, built in the Konkani architectural style.

According to the Vayu Purana and the Matsya Purana, Parashurama is an avatar of Bhagavan Vishnu. He was a Vedic Rishi. Parashurama is considered one of the Saptachiranjivis, the seven immortals. The Sanskrit shloka regarding this states: ‘अश्वत्थामा बलिर्व्यासो हनुमांश्च विभीषणः। कृपः परशुरामश्च सप्तौते चिरंजीविनः।।’ As per this, Ashwatthama, Bali Raja, Maharshi Vyasa, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, and Parashurama are the seven Chiranjivis.

According to information found in the Puranas and the epic histories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Parashurama was born into the Bhrigu kula. His parents were Rishi Jamadagni and Renuka, the daughter of a king from the Ikshvaku dynasty.

The Harivamsha narrates a tale where Kartavirya Arjuna (also known as Haihaya or Sahasrarjuna) once insulted a Rishi named Apava Vasishtha. Consequently, the Rishi cursed Kartavirya, declaring that Bhagavan Vishnu would take an avatar to slay him and the arrogant Kshatriyas. In accordance with this, Parashurama was born on Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya at Rishi Jamadagni’s ashrama on the banks of the Narmada. Later, Parashurama rid the Earth of Kshatriyas twenty-one times. There is also a Pauranic tale that Parashurama, obeying his father’s command, beheaded his mother and later, by asking a boon from his father, brought her back to life.

As narrated in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, Parashurama performed a yajna to absolve himself of the sin of slaying the kshatriyas. The principal priest (ritvij) of that yajna was Kashyapa. As a sacrificial offering, Lord Parashurama gifted the Earth to them. Thereupon, Kashyapa Muni told Him, “Now all this land belongs to me. Therefore, You should now proceed southwards.” In accordance with this, Lord Parashurama relinquished Aryavarta. Thereafter, by His prowess, He pushed back the western ocean and created the region of Aparanta. Subsequently, He hurled His axe southwards, which led to the creation of the Shurparaka region (today’s Sopara in Thane district). In this manner, Lord Parashurama is the creator of the Konkan settlements and is revered as the Deity of Saptakonkan. There are many temples dedicated to Lord Parashurama in this region. Among these, the temple of Lord Parashurama on Mahendragiri, near Chiplun, was constructed in the year five hundred and seventy during the reign of the Chalukya Emperor Pulakeshi. This temple holds special religious significance because of the narrative that Lord Parashurama performed austerities on Mahendra Parvata. The Bhargavarama temple in Ajgaon (Bhomwadi) is ancient. It was renovated a few years ago.

This temple is graced with a spacious courtyard, encircled by a boundary wall. The courtyard is entered through a tall, grand gateway. Adorning the centre of the gateway’s roof is a beautiful sculpture of Parashurama, holding His axe and bearing His bow. On both sides of the broad pillars at the entrance, tall sculptures of female attendants holding kamandalu and water pots have been carved. The entrance and the temple have been beautifully painted.

Upon entering through the main gate, a few paces within, one finds a six-tiered circular lamp pillar (दीपस्तंभ) and a sacred Tulasi Vrindavan. The temple itself is built upon a high plinth. Its structure comprises a assembly hall (सभामंडप), an antechamber (अंतराळ), and the sanctum sanctorum (गर्भगृह). On the front wall of the assembly hall, to the right of the entrance, is carved a tall, standing idol of Garuda in a posture of reverence (नमस्कार मुद्रा), while to the left is a similar tall, standing idol of Hanuman. The entrance is wide and cylindrical. The assembly hall is semi-open and rather simple. The roof of the hall slopes downwards on both sides from within, in the Konkani style. Here, an antechamber has been created by erecting a latticed wooden wall. The wooden palanquin of the Deity is kept at this spot. From here, there is a circumambulation path (प्रदक्षिणा मार्ग) around the sanctum sanctorum.

Upon the façade of the sanctum sanctorum, on either side of the cylindrical entrance, within tall cylindrical niches, are enshrined the divine forms of Jaya and Vijaya, the revered Vaishnava doorkeepers. Within, upon a lofty vajra-pīṭha, the black stone murti of Bhagavan Parashurama is gracefully seated. This murti, with its serene countenance, is dvi-bhuja, holding a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. A tall crown adorns the head of the murti. A unique feature of this sacred image is that it is devoid of jaṭā (matted locks), beard, and moustache. Behind the murti, a silver prabhāvaḷa (halo) radiates. Another distinct characteristic of this temple is that, unlike other temples where the deities Kala and Kama accompany Bhagavan Parashurama, here only the murti of Bhagavan Parashurama Himself is present. In this temple, along with the regular pūjā and archana, the festival of Rama Navami, and the auspicious Parashurama Jayanti on Vaishakha Shuddha Tritiya, are celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm.

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