Shri Kalubai of Kusumbi Sri Kshetra Kusumbi, Javali, Satara

The Pandava-era temple of Goddess Kalubai in Kusumbi, located in the Jawali valley, is a revered place of faith for millions of devotees. The unique feature of this temple is that it houses the three sisters together: Kalubai of Mandhardev Gad, Kalubai of Kusumbi, and Kalubai of Wakan in Poladpur. It is said that this is the only temple in Maharashtra where these three sisters reside together. Recognizing the significance of the temple, the fame of the Goddess, and the large number of devotees visiting for darshan, the state government has honored this temple with a ‘C’ grade pilgrimage site status.

Kusumbi village is situated in the lap of the Sahyadri mountains and on the banks of the Venna River in the historically significant Jawali taluka. Previously, the Kalubai temple here was a very simple, tiled structure. In 1987, the temple was renovated and the Kalasharohan (consecration of the pinnacle) was performed by Dhundibaba. Since then, the temple has acquired its present form. It is said that the original village deity of Kusumbi is the Kedarnath temple located here, and it was Kedarnath who compelled the Goddess to take an avatar in Kusumbi to destroy the demons. The Kalubai of Mandhardev Gad and the Kalubai of Poladpur also assisted her in the battle against the demons. Since then, these three Goddesses have resided in Kusumbi village. 

The Kalubai temple is in the center of Kusumbi village. There are many shops selling worship materials in the area around the temple entrance. The temple premises are spacious, and the paving throughout makes it look beautiful and clean. Along with the main temple of the Goddess, there is an ancient Hemadpanti-style temple of Lord Shiva. Additionally, there is a stone lamp pillar (Deepmal) and a temple of Mari-aai Devi. The Kalubai temple faces east, and a queue system for darshan has been arranged from the left side of the temple. During festivals, devotees can enter the temple for darshan through this queue. At other times, entry to the assembly hall (Sabhamandap) is granted through the main entrance. The temple structure consists of a Sabhamandap and a sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). 

In the sanctum sanctorum, to the right of the Kusumbi Kalubai Devi is the idol of her elder sister Mandhardevi, and to the left is the idol of Wakan’s Kalubai. Along with these main idols, the sanctum also houses idols of Durga Devi, Bhairavnath, Kedarnath, Rudrai Devi, and others. The main pilgrimage (Yatra) of Kaleshwari Mata begins on Magh Shukla Purnima. The Yatra commences with the hoisting of the Goddess’s flag pole. This is followed by programs like Rudrabhishek and Chhabina. This five-day-long Yatra is famous, and during this period, millions of devotees from Maharashtra as well as states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa come here for darshan. The number of devotees visiting during the Navratri festival is also significant. Hundreds of devotees observe ‘Ghati’ (fasting/meditation) here during Navratri. There is a crowd of devotees here every Amavasya, Purnima, Tuesday, and Friday.

Previously, animal sacrifice took place at this temple during the Yatra; however, a few years ago, the villagers decided to ban animal sacrifice here. Since devotees from various states come here for darshan, the Kalubai Temple Trust has arranged for a Bhakta Niwas (pilgrim accommodation) and a large hall to provide lodging facilities.

Along with the Kalubai temple, Kusumbi village is famous as the ‘Village of Nachni’ (Finger Millet). This village is at the foothills of the Kas Plateau. There are large deposits of basalt rock on this mountain. The water flowing through these rocks contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, and zinc, which are essential for crops. Furthermore, because the farming is done on slopes, the drainage of water is excellent. The farmers here do not use chemical fertilizers on their crops. The soil quality is maintained naturally by using the manure of cows, goats, and sheep. As a result, the Nachni crop here is highly nutritious. The Maharashtra Foundation of America has adopted Kusumbi village. Every year, there is a huge demand from America for high-quality products made from pure Nachni from this village. More than 100 tons of Nachni are grown in Kusumbi village every year. Due to the properties present in Nachni, it is said that one Nachni bhakri is as nutritious as ten chapatis.

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