Shri Ram Temple Satpati, h. Palghar, Palghar

Satpati, a nature-rich village situated along the coastline, is renowned as the largest village in the Palghar district. With a population of approximately २८०००, this village is home to the Shri Ram Mandir, an ancient temple over १४० years old, which serves as a sacred place of faith for thousands of devotees in the district. Known as a Shakti Peeth, the temple hosts a grand three-day fair every year on the occasion of Ram Navami. The temple also holds a significant place in the history of the nation’s freedom struggle. Records indicate that Sane Guruji and Sant Gadge Baba had visited this temple.

The Shri Ram Mandir in Satpati village has long been a center for social movements. When the Salt Satyagraha began in the country in १९३०, many activists from Vadrai to Satpati participated in it. It is said that during this period, the saint and social reformer Gadge Maharaj stayed at this Shri Ram Mandir for several days. Maharaj would appeal to the people to serve the nation alongside performing Harikirtan. Responding to this call, the villagers participated in movements against the British government. To support the ‘Quit India’ movement, a historic procession was taken out from this very Ram Mandir on १४ August १९४२. The British army opened indiscriminate fire on that procession

, in which five youths aged between १७ and २७—Govind Ganesh Thakur, Kashinath Hari Pagdhare, Ramprasad Bhimashankar Tiwari, Ramchandra Madhav Churi, and Sukur Govind More from Palghar—sacrificed their lives. Among them, Kashinath Pagdhare, a २६-year-old youth, was from Satpati. He faced the bullets of the British police head-on. A martyr’s memorial, bearing witness to their valor, stands in the casuarina grove on the village seashore. To avenge the sacrifice of these martyrs, revolutionaries from this village hatched a daring plot to blow up a British military train on २६ October १९४२. At that time, they removed a large section of the railway track between Palghar and Boisar, causing २५ to ३० railway carriages to derail. In Satpati, a complete ban was imposed on all foreign goods, and they were destroyed.

Renowned litterateur and socialist leader Sane Guruji launched a movement in १९४६ to ensure that the doors of all temples in the state, including the Vitthal Mandir of Pandharpur, were opened to Dalits. Sane Guruji opposed evil customs and traditions like caste discrimination and untouchability in society. He raised awareness across Maharashtra to ensure Dalits gained entry into temples. During this period, he visited Satpati and Palghar. Responding to his call, the villagers opened the local Ram Mandir to Dalits.

The Shri Ram Mandir is located right next to the bus station in Satpati village. The villagers established this temple on Vaishakh Shuddha Panchami, Shake १८०३, which corresponds to the year १८८१. Two ancient Banyan and Peepal trees stand in front of the temple. The two-story temple complex consists of a semi-open assembly hall (sabhamandap), a main assembly hall, and three sanctum sanctorums (garbhagrihas). Of the two pillars near the temple entrance, the one on the left features an image of Sage Vashistha, while the one on the right features Sage Vishwamitra. From here, one enters the first assembly hall of the temple. This assembly hall is semi-open, with stone benches along the sides for devotees to sit. The words ‘Shri Ram’ are inscribed in large letters at the entrance of the main two-story assembly hall. This hall is enclosed. The facade wall of the balcony on the second floor features intricately carved frames. Above the main sanctum, there is a large relief sculpture of Shri Krishna driving Arjuna’s chariot.

In the main, central sanctum of the temple, there are white marble idols of Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita on a diamond-studded pedestal (vajrapeeth). Near the feet of Shri Ram and Lakshman is a vermilion-smeared idol of Hanuman. Additionally, there are idols of gatekeepers (dwarapals) on both sides of these three idols. In the niches outside this sanctum, there are brass idols of Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Ganesh, and Hanuman. The sanctum to the left of the main one houses an idol of Hanuman, while the one to the right houses an idol of Ganesh. All three sanctums are topped with spires (shikharas).

From Gudi Padwa, continuous chanting of the name of Ram is organized here for three days. A grand three-day fair is held on Ram Navami. During this time, the entire village is filled with a festive atmosphere. The temple and its premises are illuminated with electric lights. Although Satpati is known as a village of fishermen, fishing is not carried out in the sea here for three days during this fair. Villagers who have moved to other towns for jobs and business, as well as daughters of the village, make it a point to visit during this fair. Furthermore, thousands of devotees from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts attend this festival, chanting the name of Shri Ram.

Apart from the Shri Ram Mandir, this village is known worldwide for the fishing of ‘Saranga’ (Black Pomfret) found in its sea. These fish resemble the silvery pomfret, but their color is dark grey. These fish are exported from Palghar to the entire world. Additionally, Satpati is the native village of Pushpa Pagdhare, the singer of the famous Hindi song ‘Itni Shakti Hamein Dena Data…’.

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