Sacred Mahadev Mandir Rawalgundwadi, Jat, sangli

References to the Jath region are found from the eras of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata up to the Peshwa period. It is said that this area was a part of Dandakaranya from the Ramayana. Furthermore, Ekachakra Nagari, associated with the story of Bakasura from the Mahabharata, is none other than present-day Jath. The village of Ravalgundwadi here is also historical. Lord Mahadeva is the presiding deity of this village and many surrounding villages in the vicinity. It is said that the construction of the Mahadeva temple here took place about three hundred and fifty years ago. Devotees have a firm belief that the Shivling in this temple is self-manifested (Swayambhu) and spiritually awakening (Jagrut).

The history of the village of Rawalgundwadi is that about three hundred and four hundred years ago, this entire area was surrounded by forests. This region came under the jurisdiction of the Jath Sansthan. Around the year 1680 CE, Satwajirao Chavan-Daphaley, a Patil from Dafalapur near Jath, obtained the Deshmukhi of Jath, Karajagi, Bardol, and Kanad from Sikandar Shah, the Adil Shahi Sultan of Bijapur, in exchange for a tribute of three thousand mohurs. In the Adil Shahi court, he had received a mansabdari of six thousand. Just a year after the great demise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, on March 31, 1681, Adil Shah bestowed upon Satwajirao the title of Wazir and granted him the Jahagir of Jath. During this very period, there was a commander named Raul in the service of the Daphaley family. 

According to the legend regarding him, Raul was an extremely brave warrior. Once he came to this region for hunting. At that time, a fierce battle took place between him and a tiger. In that fight, he killed the tiger, cut off its ears and tail, and kept them with him. However, later on, a chieftain from Nipani took the credit for this tiger hunt. He claimed to the Raja of Jath Sansthan that he himself had killed the tiger. told. Pleased by this, the king decided to honor him. Upon learning of this, Commander Raul showed the king the ears and tail of a tiger from his own possession. When the truth came to light, the king granted this region to Raul as a reward (inam). He established a settlement here, and after his name, this village came to be known as Raulgundwadi. 

It is said that the Shivalinga of Mahadeva in this village is Svayambhu (self-manifested). Regarding this, a legend is told that the cows of a farmer from this area used to go grazing in the forest here. After one of those cows stopped giving milk, the farmer made inquiries. Then he found that that cow always used to let down her milk near an anthill in the forest. He told this matter to some people of the village. When they curiously excavated near that anthill, they found this Shivalinga here. In due course of time, a small temple was built at this place. Even today, near the Mahadeva temple, this Svayambhu There is a temple containing a lingam. It is said that some time after this, some people from this place went on a Kashi Yatra (pilgrimage to Kashi). While returning, they brought along a Shiva Lingam. A separate temple was built for it, and the ritualistic consecration (Pratishthapana) of this Shiva Lingam was performed on Ashadh Shukla Pratipada. This very shrine is the Mahadeva Temple.

This temple is situated in the central part of the village of Ravalgundwadi. There is a compound wall around the temple. One enters the temple courtyard through the gateway in this compound wall. In the courtyard, there is an ancient stone lamp tower (Deepmal). In front of this lamp tower and facing the temple entrance, there is a small temple of Lord Shiva. The shikhara (spire) of this temple is distinctive. This shikhara, which is a replica of the original temple’s shikhara, features sculptures of many deities.

This stone-built temple has a structural layout consisting of a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). Entry into the Sabhamandapa is through a doorway set within the temple’s walls, which are approximately three to four feet wide. This Sabhamandapa is of an enclosed (Gudhamandapa) style. Inside the Sabhamandapa, directly facing the entrance of the Garbhagriha, is the idol of Nandi seated on a small raised platform. Within the Garbhagriha, upon a high Vajrapitha, is the Svayambhu (self-manifested) Linga of Mahadeva. Adorning this Linga is a brass mask of Mahadeva, sheltered by a canopy formed by a brass cobra. Atop the Garbhagriha rises a tall, four-tiered Shikhara (spire). It is said that this Shikhara was constructed over the original temple at a later period. 

At the Mahadeva temple, a fair is held for three days starting from Ashadh Shukla Pratipada. On this occasion, the palanquins from the villages of Muchandi, Kalamdi, Sedyal, Malkanakherhatti, Valsang, Amrani, Ramthirth, Kottalagi, Jat, and Nagewadi arrive here. This festival is celebrated in the presence of thousands of devotees. Similarly, the palanquin of this deity is ceremoniously taken with music to the Krishna river near Jamkhandi once every three years in the month of Shravan. At that place, the holy bath ritual of the deity takes place, and afterwards, the palanquin is brought back to the temple.

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