Shree Khandoba Temple Naladurg, Tuljapur, Dharashiva

Lord Khandoba is revered as the Kuldaivat (family deity) of Maharashtra. Khandoba is considered an avatar of Lord Shiva. Some believe Khandoba to be a guardian deity. He is also known by names such as Martand, Bhairav, and Malhari. Khandoba has many devotees across the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Among the eight major Khandoba temples in Maharashtra, the temple at Naldurg is included alongside Jejuri and Pali. This temple holds special significance as the place where the wedding of Khandoba and Banai took place.

It is said that this temple, built in the Hemadpanti architectural style, dates back about a thousand years. Khandoba is said to have come here at the request of Queen Damayanti, the wife of King Nal. The Lord’s wedding with Banai took place at this very spot. Legend has it that this is the wedding pavilion (mandap) of the Lord. In ancient times, due to a dispute over the idol between the villagers of nearby Andur and the villagers of Naldurg, an agreement was reached to keep the idol in this temple for one and three-quarter months and in the temple at Andur for ten and a quarter months. This tradition is still followed today.
Although this temple is ancient, the original temple is located five hundred meters away on the banks of the Bori River. It is said that after the sanctity of that temple was violated during the Mughal rule, this new temple was built, and the Pindi and the idols of the deity were relocated here. In the temple premises, there are ancient lamp pillars (Deepmalas) from eight to ten different historical periods. Some of these stone-built lamp pillars standing on platforms have independent hand-holds for lighting the lamps.

The temple courtyard is situated on a high platform. One enters the courtyard by climbing five steps. To the right in the courtyard, there are two lamp pillars. Between these pillars is a Tulsi Vrindavan. On this same side is an ancient two-story Nagarkhana (drum house), with the temple’s storage room on the ground floor. The Nagara (drum) is played during daily Aarti and festivals. Next to the Nagarkhana is a Hanuman temple. On the other side of the Nagarkhana is a pavilion where Gondhal and other rituals are performed. The rooms adjacent to this pavilion are used as shelters for devotees. In the center of the courtyard, on a platform, stands a Nandi idol made of black stone, with a Shiva Pindi in front of it.

The temple structure consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), Antaral (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Antaral and Garbhagriha here are on a high foundation. The entrance to the Sabha Mandap has two steps. The semi-open Sabha Mandap has stone benches (Kakshasanas) for devotees to sit. Of the sixteen ornate pillars in the Sabha Mandap, twelve are integrated into the benches and four are in the walls of the Antaral. The ceiling of the Sabha Mandap is a twelve-sided dome with a lotus replica in the center. Because it is higher than the Antaral, there are three steps in front of the entrance to the Garbhagriha. On both sides of the entrance, there are lamp niches (Deepkoshtakas) in the front wall of the Garbhagriha. The door frames feature vertical edge carvings, an idol of Lord Ganesha on the Lalatbimba (lintel), and a chandelier creeper design in the arch. On the Mandarak (threshold), there is a square stone with carvings in the center, flanked by Kirtimukhas on both sides, and lotus carvings at the base of both door frames. There are ventilators in the enclosed Antaral for airflow. In the Antaral, there are lamp niches on the front walls of the Garbhagriha. The door frames of the Garbhagriha feature vertical edge carvings and an idol of Lord Ganesha on the Lalatbimba. The arch contains a chandelier creeper, and the cornice above it features three dome-shaped spire sculptures. On the Mandarak, there is a square stone with Kirtimukhas on both sides.

The Garbhagriha here is enclosed, and like the Antaral, it has ventilators for air circulation. In the Garbhagriha, there is a permanent large Shalunka (base) with a Pindi as a symbol of Lord Khandoba on a Vajrapitha (throne). When the deity is in this temple for one and three-quarter months, the idols of Khandoba in the center, Goddess Mhalasa on the left, and Banai on the right are installed behind this Shiva Pindi. Behind these three idols, the Malhari Martand idol of the Lord is installed.

The temple has a circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) on the outside along the foundation. There are some ancient stone idols along this path. The temple roof features cornices and chandelier carvings. There is a safety railing around the roof. On the roof of the Garbhagriha, there are four-layered square spires in the Bhumija style, with niches containing idols of various deities such as Mahadev, Vishnu, and Khandoba. At the top is an Amalaka, followed by a Kalash and a flagstaff. There are four smaller spires at the four corners of the main spire.

An annual fair is celebrated here for fifteen days from Paush Purnima to Paush Amavasya. As Paush Purnima is the Lord’s wedding day, the deity is adorned as a bridegroom, and all wedding rituals are performed. During this time, the Lord marries Banai. Thousands of devotees from states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana attend this wedding as guests (Varhadi). There is a special rush of devotees at the temple on days like Champashasthi, Amavasya, Sundays, and Mondays.

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