Shri Hingalaaj Maata, Khede, Niphaad, Nashik

The Shaktipeeth of Goddess Hinglaj, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of the primordial power Bhagwati, is located on the border of Pakistan and Balochistan. It is said that, pleased by the devotion of a devotee, the Goddess traveled from there to the village of Khede in the Niphad taluka of Nashik. This temple in Niphad dates back to the 13th century. Devotees believe that the idol of Goddess Hinglaj is Swayambhu (self-manifested) and that this is a highly awakened (Jagrut) site.

The legend of this temple states that the original abode of Hinglaj Mata is on the Hingol Mountain, along the banks of the Hingol River on the Pakistan border. Thousands of devotees used to travel there for the Goddess’s Darshan. Among them was Dongarpuri Maharaj, who would make the pilgrimage to Goddess Hinglaj every year. For 95 long years, Dongarpuri Maharaj performed the pilgrimage on foot. Due to his advancing age, the journey became increasingly difficult for him. He decided in his heart to bring the Goddess to his own town. With a firm resolve, he began to worship the Goddess. Pleased, Goddess Hinglaj accepted his request to accompany him to his village. The Goddess began to follow him on the condition that he must not look back. When they reached the village of Karas (the present-day village of Khede) via Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, and Pimpalgaon, the local Vinata River was in flood. Dongarpuri Maharaj turned back to seek the Goddess’s guidance on how to proceed, and at that very moment, a divine light appeared, and the Goddess manifested in the form of an idol. Realizing that if the Goddess would not travel further, he should not either, Dongarpuri Maharaj consecrated this Swayambhu idol of Hinglaj Mata at the current temple site according to scriptural rites. Subsequently, in 1228, Dongarpuri Maharaj himself constructed the temple using dressed stone.

It is said that after serving the Goddess for some years, Dongarpuri Maharaj took Sanjeevan Samadhi in front of the temple. The Samadhi site is also constructed in the Hemadpanthi style using black stone. The temple was designed so that after the ritual bathing of Goddess Hinglaj, the holy water (Teerth) would flow to the Samadhi site of Dongarpuri Maharaj.

The Hinglaj Mata temple, situated in a spacious complex, is large yet simple. The temple premises, located along the main road, appear clean and beautiful due to the use of paver blocks throughout. There is a Deepmal (lamp pillar) in front of the temple. The temple structure consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the sanctum, the idol of the Goddess is in the form of a maiden, carved from black stone. On the Goddess’s forehead, there is a third eye in the form of a Jyotirlinga. The Goddess is adorned with a crown, earrings, and a nose ring. The idol has four arms; three hold weapons, while one hand is raised in a gesture of blessing.

Four festivals are celebrated here: Chaitra Navratri, Shravan Shuddha Chaturdashi, Ashwin Navratri, and Paush Purnima. A grand fair is held on the first Wednesday of the Navratri festival, during which the temple is beautifully illuminated. During Navratri, hundreds of men and women observe the Ghatasthapana ritual in the temple. It is said that approximately 4 to 5 lakh devotees visit the Goddess for Darshan annually. The state government has granted this temple ‘B’ grade pilgrimage status.

This Goddess is the Kulswamini (family deity) of various communities in the region, including Dashnam Gosavi, Teli, Sali, Phulmali, Kumbhar, Brahmakshatriya (Thakur), Kokanastha Brahmin, some Maratha communities, Beldar, Bhavsar (Rangari), Sindhi, Dhangar, Rawal, Pateliya, Kumawat, Vanjari, Nhawi, Gujarati, Pandav, and Kahar. Various rituals and pujas such as Ganesh Yag, Navchandi, Maharudra, Laghurudra, Narayan Nagbali, Kalsarpa Shanti, and the Kuladharma-Kulachar of the Goddess are performed at this temple.

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