Sacred Near Kabibeshwar Mandir, Jamkhed, Ahilyanagar

The Javaleshwar Temple in Javala, located in the Jamkhed taluka of Ahilyanagar district, is famous for its chariot procession (Rath Yatra). Among the major Ashadhi yatras celebrated across the state, the Javaleshwar Rath Yatra holds a significant place. This festival is celebrated over five days, from Ashadhi Ekadashi to Gurupurnima. This tradition, which has been ongoing for about २०० years, is also renowned for the jugalbandi (musical and dance duel) of traditional dancers. As the presiding deity of the village, this awakened (jagrut) shrine is a place of deep faith for lakhs of devotees.

Situated in the heart of Javala village, the ancient Javaleshwar Temple is built in the Hemadpanti architectural style. Records indicate that the temple was renovated in १७९१ by Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar. The stone structure of the temple is square in shape. While the entire temple complex is enclosed by a fortification wall, the Nandi Mandap stands outside it. This Nandi Mandap, resting on four pillars upon a raised platform, features a unique design. Inside this mandap, which is about २० to २५ feet high, sits a beautifully carved Nandi, and the spire (kalash) above is adorned with idols of Lord Ganesha and various other deities. The Javaleshwar Temple stands on a slightly higher elevation than the Nandi Mandap.

After entering through a small gate in the fortification, another Nandi made of black stone is found on a platform in front of the temple. The temple premises are spacious, paved, and planted with ornamental trees, giving the area a clean, peaceful, and aesthetic appearance. The Javaleshwar Temple is built on a jagati (base) that is about six to seven feet above the ground. One ascends seven to eight steps to enter the assembly hall (sabhamandap) through the temple entrance. The temple layout consists of the sabhamandap, antaral (vestibule), and garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the antaral, on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum, are idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Bhairavnath.

The sanctum houses an ancient Shiva Linga, and in a large niche on the wall facing the Linga, there is an idol of Lord Mahadeva. (In ancient temples of Lord Mahadeva, an idol of Mother Parvati is usually found in this space.) To the right of this temple is a newly constructed Rama Temple. The sanctum of this temple contains marble idols of Shri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. There is a meditation hall on the ground floor of this temple, which many devotees use for scripture reading and parayana.

Until recent times, the Javaleshwar Temple did not have a shikhara (spire). It is said that because of this, the villagers of Javala and the surrounding areas did not build two-story houses. Due to the absence of the shikhara on the temple, if anyone attempted to build a second floor on their house, they would face difficulties, or the construction would collapse after a few days. In १९९६, the villagers raised public funds to construct the shikhara on the temple and ceremonially installed the kalash. Since then, many two, three, and four-story buildings have been erected in Javala. 

There are five self-manifested (swayambhu) Shiva Lingas in Javala village: Javaleshwar, Baleshwar, Kaleshwar, Nandkeshwar, and Beleshwar. According to a legend, all five Lingas date back to the time of Shri Rama and were installed by Him when He resided at Sautada near Jamkhed.

The five-day festival from Ashadhi Ekadashi to Gurupurnima is famous. During this time, the Javaleshwar Temple is decorated with attractive lighting. On the morning of Gurupurnima, after the aarti, the crown of Javaleshwar is ceremonially installed in the chariot. The honor of performing the aarti belongs to the Patil and Kulkarni families of the village. At this time, devotees offer naivedya and also hang garlands of coconuts on the chariot. The number of coconuts offered on the chariot in a single day reaches १० to १५ thousand.

Around १:०० PM, this grand chariot procession begins amidst chants of “Har Har Mahadeva.” The chariot currently used for the procession was built about १५० years ago from teak wood by Yedu Pandharinath Survase, a carpenter from the same village. This chariot is still in good condition today. In २०२२, its wheels were replaced as they had become worn out. During the procession, large ropes are tied to the front and back of the chariot to help it navigate turns. It takes २०० to २५० people to pull this chariot. The honor of tying the ropes to the chariot on the day of the yatra belongs to the Mate family, while the honor of sitting in the chariot belongs to the Survase family. The entire route taken by the chariot (known here as the ‘Rath Marg’) has been concretized using state government funds. By १:०० to १:३० AM, the chariot procession returns to the Javaleshwar Temple. At this time, all the traditional dance troupes and musical bands from the village gather in the temple courtyard. Around १:३० AM, all these dancers perform an aarti for the deity. Following this, a musical and dance jugalbandi of these troupes begins.

This temple, a place of faith for lakhs of devotees, has been included in the ‘C’ category of pilgrimage sites by the state government. Consequently, the temple receives periodic funding through the Regional Tourism Development Scheme of the Maharashtra State Tourism Department.

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