Shri Kusumeshwar Temple Devkhol, Shrivardhan, Raigad

Shrivardhan, famous since ancient times as a port and trading center, is renowned for its Rotha betel nuts. The historic temples and ancient idols within this region still preserve their existence today. Temples near Shrivardhan such as Harihareshwar, Somjai, Shriram, and Laxminarayan are especially famous. Located about ten kilometers from Shrivardhan city, in the vicinity of Devkhol village, is the ancient and famous temple of Kusumeshwar Mahadev. Nestled in dense forests and in the lap of nature, the ancient idols of Lord Vishnu and other deities in the temple courtyard arouse the curiosity of researchers. Devotees have a deep faith that the wish-fulfilling Mahadev here grants prayers.
It is said that this temple dates back to the Pandava era. According to the legend surrounding the temple, when the Pandavas were in exile, they installed this Shivpindi for their daily worship. According to some researchers, given the ancient idols of the Keshava form of Vishnu found in the vicinity of this temple, it should date back to the twelfth century or the Shilahar period.
On the road leading from Devkhol village to the temple is the welcome arch of the temple. The arch consists of square pillars on both sides and a horizontal beam with a decorative head ornament (bashing) above them. From there, a road surrounded by dense foliage leads directly to the temple courtyard. In front of the temple is a spacious courtyard. The architecture of the temple comprises a porch (mukhamandapa), a hall (mandapa), a assembly hall (sabhamandapa), and a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). The mandapa has three entrances from the front, in front of the middle entrance of which lies the porch. The porch features two ornate pillars at the front. Below the pillars standing on square bases, the lower part is pot-shaped (kumbhakar) with vertical ribbed carvings. At the top of the pillars is a capital (kani), and these pillars are connected by semi-circular arches. The rear part of the porch roof rests on the wall of the sabhamandapa. On the roof of the porch stands a dome-shaped spire (shikhar) with an amalaka and a pinnacle (kalash).
The semi-open mandapa has stone benches (kakshasan) for devotees to sit. The outer pillars of this mandapa are embedded in the kakshasan. In this mandapa, there is a white marble idol of Nandi on a Yoni-like (shalunkasadrik) vajrapitha, preceded by a turtle sculpture (karmashilpa). Further ahead is the entrance to the sabhamandapa. The doorjambs of this entrance feature floral and leaf carvings, flanked by pillar-bands and lion-bands (singhashakha). On the lintel (lalatbimba) is an idol of Lord Ganesha. The threshold here features a moon-stone (chandrashila). There is an ornate arch over the pillar-bands.
In this sabhamandapa, there are two more doors on the left and right sides. The sabhamandapa has two rows of three square ornate pillars each. There are capitals on the pillars and beams over the capitals. The ceiling features circular patterns. On the right side of the sabhamandapa floor lies a Shivpindi. Leaving aside the circumambulation path (pradakshinamarga) at the front of the sabhamandapa, the sanctum sanctorum is structured four feet lower than the sabhamandapa, requiring one to descend five steps to enter. In the center of the sanctum floor is the self-manifested (swayambhu) Shivpindi. Above the Shivpindi hangs a brass serpent holding a canopy and an abhisheka vessel suspended from the ceiling to drip water. Brass bells are hung from the ceiling of the sanctum. On the roof of the sanctum is a two-tiered circular shikhara. The first tier of the shikhara is dome-shaped with lotus flower replicas on it. The tapering second tier features vertical ribbed carvings, topped with an amalaka and pinnacle.
In the Vishnu temple adjacent to the main temple, there are ancient idols of Lord Vishnu, Harihara, Gaurihara, and others. It is said about this temple that formerly it had an open roof, and only during the monsoon season would the villagers cover it with a temporary thatch of grass and straw. However, an anonymous sage who once visited the village properly built this temple and outer mandapa, gathering all the ancient idols and sculptures scattered around the area and placing them here.
In front of the Vishnu temples, in a semi-open shrine, are the meditative idols of the Saptarishis on a vajrapitha, followed behind by the idols of the Navanathas. Next to this temple, on a raised platform, are numerous ancient idols and sculptures, including donkeys’ curse stones (gaddhegal) and hero stones (virgal). Further ahead, under a small roof, is a beautiful yet slightly broken idol of Lord Vishnu. The Lord’s head is canopied by a five-hooded serpent. The floral and leaf carvings on the back slab are well-preserved. In the courtyard are a few domed pavilions (meghadambari) containing ancient idols. Beyond this is an ancient stepwell (pushkarani) built of carved stone, with steps leading down into it. Beneath a circular roof with a pinnacle in the courtyard is a recent idol of Lord Krishna depicting the subjugation of Kaliya (Kaliyamardan). Maha Shivaratri is the main annual festival celebrated with great enthusiasm at the temple. On this occasion, Maha Abhisheka and other programs are organized in the temple. During the festival, hundreds of devotees from the surrounding area come to have the darshan of the deity and fulfill their vows (navas).

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