Shree Pinakeshwar Temple, Jategaon, Nandgaon, Nashik

On the border of Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Jalgaon districts, situated on the Jategaon hill within the Satmala mountain range, lies the ancient abode of Pinakeshwar (Greater) Mahadeva. It is said that ‘Pinaka’ was the special celestial weapon bestowed upon Lord Shriram by Lord Shiva. The Pinaka weapon finds mention in various scriptures. Notably, this is the only awakened site of its kind in Maharashtra known as Pinakeshwar.

The legend of the temple states that during his exile, Lord Shriram visited this site and worshipped after installing a Shiva Linga. Pleased, Lord Shiva gifted the special Pinaka weapon to Shriram. Since then, this place has been known as Pinakeshwar. According to the Kashi Khanda, it is said that once, while playing a game of dice, Goddess Parvati won, which angered Lord Shiva, who then came to this hill to meditate. Distraught by separation from Shiva, Parvati searched for him, assumed the guise of a Bhil woman, and won over Lord Shiva, leading to the union of Shiva and Shakti at this sacred site. The day this reunion occurred was Chaitra Krishna Navami. Since then, the Shiva-Shakti wedding ceremony is celebrated here with great enthusiasm every year. On this occasion, Goddess Dakshayani from Lasur in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) district is brought to Jategaon as the ‘Mool’ (origin).

Around the years 1961-62, Rashtrasant Janardan Swami (Maungiri) visited the Pinakeshwar temple, which was in a dilapidated state at the time. In 1963, Janardan Swami took the initiative to begin the restoration of the temple. The Swami’s followers and the villagers completed this work through voluntary labor. In 1967, Janardan Swami performed the ritual consecration of a new Shiva Linga, fulfilling the vow of restoring this shrine. In 1968, Brahmachari Gangagiri Maharaj completed the construction of the assembly hall (Sabhamandap).

There is an old stone staircase path leading from Jategaon at the foothills to the Pinakeshwar Mahadeva temple; additionally, a road has been constructed directly to the temple. This Hemadpanti-style temple is surrounded by a fortification wall. In the courtyard of the east-facing temple stands a Deepmala (lamp tower). On Chaitra Krishna Navami, lamps are lit upon it. Furthermore, temples dedicated to Rashtrasant Janardan Swami and Brahmachari Gangagiri Maharaj are also located here.

The architecture of the Pinakeshwar Mahadeva temple consists of a Nandi Mandap, Sabhamandap, and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The design of the pillars in the Sabhamandap is unique. Near the entrance of the sanctum, on the right, is an idol of Goddess Lakshmi holding a lotus, and on the left is an idol of Lord Ganesha. Inside the sanctum, there is a Shiva Linga made of black stone, with an idol of Goddess Parvati in front of it. A special feature of the sanctum is a subterranean chamber beneath the main Shiva Linga, which houses two more ancient Shiva Lingas. Although there is no direct path to this chamber, a small opening of approximately 1 foot by 1 foot is visible beside the main Shiva Linga in the sanctum. Looking through it, one can see the Shiva Lingas inside. This chamber has been sealed with a glass cover, but one can view the Shiva Lingas below upon requesting the priests. On the temple spire, one can see idols of Shiva-Parvati to the east, Shridattatreya to the west, Garuda to the north, and Hanuman to the south. Additionally, sculptures of Kirtimukha, Yakshas, Nagas, and Kinnaras are carved on the spire.

This shrine is a place of faith for countless devotees from the Nashik border region, Khandesh, and Marathwada. Every Monday during the holy month of Shravan, thousands of devotees come here for darshan. On the third Monday, many Shiva devotees bring sacred water from various rivers and reservoirs in ‘Kavadis’ and perform Jalabhishek on Pinakeshwar. To fulfill vows, devotees offer ‘Dal-Batti’ or ‘Rodga’ as Naivedya.

A fair is held here from Chaitra Krishna Panchami to Navami. During this time, the temple is beautifully decorated, and a mask is placed on the Shiva Linga. A procession of tall poles and Kavadis brought by devotees from various places is taken out around the temple premises with music. On the day of Navami, the decorated mask of Pinakeshwar is placed in a palanquin and taken in a procession to the Mahadeva temple in the village below. At this time, devotees shower the palanquin with ‘Revadis’ (small sweets made of sugar, jaggery, and sesame). After sunset, the lamps on the Deepmala in front of the temple are lit. This honor is traditionally reserved for Shiva devotees from the Bhil community (as Parvati had come here in the guise of a Bhil woman). Devotees queue throughout the night for a glimpse of the palanquin. The fair concludes in the morning with the worship of the palanquin near the Mahadeva temple in the village. This tradition of the fair has been ongoing for about 300 years.

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