Shree Renuka Devi Temple Chaundala, Paithan, Chatrapati Sambhajinagar

The temple of the lotus-faced Mother Renuka is situated on the Mahur Fort in the Nanded district. She is the Kuldevi (family deity) of many families, with millions of devotees across Maharashtra and the entire country. The Renuka Devi temple in the village of Chaundala is famous as a sub-shrine (Upapitha) of the Renuka Devi of Mahur. In the Mahur temple, Renuka Devi is in the form of a ‘Tandala’. A Tandala is a stone idol without limbs. A similar idol is enshrined in the Renuka temple at Chaundala. Hundreds of devotees visit daily for her Darshan.

Chaundala is a small village, and the Renuka Devi temple is located on a small street within the village. There is a stone fortification around this temple. The entrance of the temple resembles the entrance of an ancient mansion and is built of stone. The top of the entrance is shaped like the top of a bastion. On both sides of this entrance are windows that resemble the Rajput architectural style. Tiger idols are carved onto the door. On both sides, there are images of gatekeepers (Dwarapalas), and in the center, under the arch, an image of Lord Ganesha is painted. After passing through the queue for Darshan, one sees a large stone temple. It has many stone pillars. In the sanctum sanctorum, on a raised platform, is the vermilion-anointed Tandala of Renuka Devi. The Goddess has large eyes and a large bindi on her forehead. Like the idol of Renuka Devi, this temple is also of a very raw and ancient nature. Outside the temple, there is a stone lamp pillar (Deepmal) that is ५० feet tall.

According to references in scriptures, Renuka is Bhudevi (Goddess of the Earth), and her name ‘Renuka’ signifies the Earth. According to the Renuka Mahatmya, this Goddess is an incarnation of Aditi. Vedic sages believed that Aditi was the Earth. According to mythological stories, Parashurama beheaded Mother Renuka at the command of his father, Jamadagni. Seeing Parashurama’s obedience, Jamadagni was pleased and asked Parashurama to seek a boon. Parashurama asked for his mother to be brought back to life. Jamadagni granted this. Jamadagni told him to place Renuka’s body in the sacrificial fire so that she would attain a divine body and meet him. However, there was a condition that Parashurama must not look back. After placing Renuka’s body in the sacrificial fire, she began to manifest from it. But Parashurama, out of doubt, looked back. With that, she stopped manifesting completely. Therefore, she is worshipped only in the Tandala form. Mahur is considered her residence, and Chaundala is considered her sub-shrine. That is why the Navratri festival here is of great importance. Devotees from across the state come here for this festival. A large fair is held in the temple premises on this occasion. It is the belief of the devotees that this Goddess fulfills their vows. Devotees can have Darshan of the Goddess in this temple from ६ AM to ९ PM.

The villagers of Chaundala have immense faith in the Goddess. Some unique customs can be seen here. It is said that there are mythological stories related to the Goddess behind these as well. There is a legend that a demon, infatuated with the Goddess’s beauty, expressed a desire to marry her. Even after being refused, he persisted and arrived with a wedding procession. The Goddess then fought with him and defeated him. The wedding guests who came with him, crying for water, turned into stones here. Many such stones can be seen in the vicinity of this village.

According to the villagers, since Renuka Devi remained unmarried, wedding ceremonies are not celebrated in the village to avoid her wrath. Wedding ceremonies of the village are organized beyond the village boundary, in a neighboring village called Hivare. Similarly, no house is built taller than the temple of Mother Renuka here. Therefore, there are no two-story houses in the village. Furthermore, cots or beds are not used in homes. The people of the village sleep on the ground or on cement platforms built for that purpose. According to historical references, the village of Chaundala was under the control of Chandrachud, the private Diwan of the Holkars. It is said that the stone arch in this village and the stepwell (Barav), which is considered a marvel of stone craftsmanship, were built by Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar.

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