Sacred Shardadevi Temple Turambav, Chiplun, Ratnagiri

In Turambav, located in the Chiplun taluka of Ratnagiri district, stands the famous temple of Sharada Devi, the Goddess of Knowledge. This is the only temple of Sharada Devi in the entire Konkan region. Nestled amidst hills on three sides, the temple has been constructed in the Rajasthani architectural style. Sharada Devi is renowned as a deity who grants the boon of progeny to those who make vows and who rushes to the aid of her devotees when they call upon her. Due to the festivals held here, the fame of the Goddess, and the large number of devotees who arrive for her darshan, the state government has honored this temple by granting it the ‘C’ grade status of a pilgrimage site.

One can reach Turambav via the Vahal Phata near Savarde on the Mumbai-Goa Highway. The region appears beautiful due to the Kapashi River flowing nearby, dense greenery, and winding roads. Upon entering the paved courtyard of the temple through the entrance gate, this two-story temple, constructed with marble stone, captures one’s attention. Ten years ago, the temple was newly reconstructed on the eastern side of the village in the Rajasthani style at a cost of 1.5 crore rupees. The beauty of the temple has been further enhanced by the planting of various ornamental trees and flowering plants in the garden within the temple premises.

The temple structure consists of a Mukhamandapa (entrance porch), a spacious Sabhamandapa (main assembly hall), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Sabhamandapa, measuring approximately 45 feet in length and 34 feet in width, is an open-style structure without side walls. With its marble flooring and the attractive color scheme on the pillars, the Sabhamandapa appears beautiful and serene. In the Sabhamandapa, there is a beautiful idol of Goddess Sharada, depicted holding a Veena and mounted on a peacock. In the Garbhagriha located in front of the Sabhamandapa, there is a long pedestal featuring four sections of a white marble shrine, housing the idols of the village deities Varadayini, Manai, and Chandika, with the idol of Goddess Sharada in the center. The fifth idol is that of Gauri, which is smaller in size. It is placed in the Garbhagriha and worshipped only during the Navratri festival. All the idols here are carved from black stone. The Darshan Mandapa features an octagonal spire, while the tall spire above the Garbhagriha is adorned with replicas of multiple smaller spires and their respective finials.

During the Navratri festival, which takes place here from Ashwin Shuddha Pratipada to Vijayadashami, the entire area takes on the appearance of a fair. The temple is adorned with attractive electric lighting for this festival, causing the surroundings to glow brilliantly. Villagers who have settled in various parts of the state for employment and business make it a point to attend this festival. Devotees firmly believe that if one makes a vow to the Goddess for the blessing of a child, she fulfills that vow. Consequently, devotees from various parts of the state come here during the festival period to make such vows.

On the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin, the silver idol of the Goddess, as well as the idol of Gaurai Devi, who represents the form of Sharada Devi, is consecrated. These idols are adorned with various garments and ornaments. This decoration is maintained until Vijayadashami. During the first two days, programs such as Jakhadi dance, bhajans, and Dindi are held as part of the Goddess’s vigil. On the third day, starting from eight in the morning, darshan and the ritual of offering the Goddess’s Oti take place. At nine at night, the Maha-aarti of the Goddess is performed. Following this, there is a dance of lamps and the traditional Jakhadi dance. Wearing traditional attire consisting of a specific type of dhoti, a colorful shawl around the waist, a Maratha-style turban on the head, and anklets on the feet, the village dignitaries participate in this dance with their torsos bare. Thereafter, the actual ritual of making and fulfilling vows begins. It continues until five in the morning. Tokens are provided here for making vows. Devotees who have been blessed with children after making vows to the Goddess come with children of various age groups and bow their heads at the feet of the Goddess. Following this, various religious programs are held until Vijayadashami.

On Vijayadashami, a grand ceremony of ‘Sona Lutne’ (the symbolic looting of gold) takes place at the temple. During this time, the grains (Rov) that were sprouted in every household of the village throughout the nine days of Navaratri are exchanged among one another. On the following day, Ekadashi, the freshly harvested Hurda (tender green sorghum) is distributed to the devotees at dawn. It is the firm belief of the devotees that if this Hurda is mixed with the grain stored in their homes, it leads to an abundance of food grains. The festival concludes after the distribution of Mahaprasad around ten in the morning.

Along with the Navratri festival, Shravan Shuddha Chaturdashi (Jagar Pournima), Ashwin Krishna Chaturdashi (Diwali), Margashirsha Shukla Pratipada (Dev Diwali), and the Shimga festival on Phalgun Pournima are celebrated here. For the accommodation of devotees and tourists, the Temple Trust has provided a Bhakta Niwas facility within the temple premises. With the objective of promoting tourism here, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has also started a Bed and Breakfast scheme. Devotees can have the darshan of Goddess Sharada between 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening.

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