Shri Satpuda Niwasini Manu Devi Temple Adgaon, Yaval, Jalgaon

Manudevi, who resides in the Satpura range, is considered the family deity of the people of Khandesh. According to mythological legends, Manudevi is a radiant form of the Adi Shakti. The ancient temple of Manudevi is situated in the third range of the Satpura mountains in Yawal. It is said that this temple was built by Ishwarsena, the king of the Ahirs (or Gavlis), in the third century CE. Devotees believe that this Goddess fulfills the desires of the heart. Because of this, there is always a crowd of devotees here for darshan. There is a large waterfall near this temple. Consequently, this place has also become a center of attraction for tourists. 

Jalgaon district, known as the banana hub, was a part of Khandesh. In ancient times, Khandesh was known as Rishikdesh, while during the Yadava era, it was known as Seundesh. Similarly, in the Markandeya Purana, Khandesh is referred to as Abhiradesh. According to entries in the Marathi Vishwakosh, the Abhira or Ahir community, primarily cattle herders, likely migrated from the northwest of India, via Herat and Kandahar, first into Punjab. The Abhiras likely established settlements and even kingdoms across the regions of present-day Sindh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Some Puranas state that ten Abhira kings ruled for 67 (according to some, 167) years. In the third and fourth centuries, the Abhiras held sway over the North Konkan and Nashik regions. 

Ishwarsena, who established the Manudevi temple at Adgaon, is considered the founder of the Abhira dynasty. Ishwarsena, son of Shivdatta, is mentioned in the inscriptions at Nashik. He established an era in 248-249. According to the research of historian V. V. Mirashi, Ishwarsena in the third In the middle of the century, the Abhira Empire was established. A folk legend is told regarding his founding of the Manudevi Temple here, which goes as follows: King Ishwarsena possessed a vast herd of cattle. Because of this, he was referred to as the ‘Gavali Raja’ (Cowherd King). Once, the Goddess appeared to him in a dream and commanded him to build a temple in this desolate region of the Satpura mountain range. Subsequently, the King had the Goddess consecrated here by the hands of Sage Markandeya. 

The legend of Manudevi states that when Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh were sitting in seclusion to deliberate on how to put an end to Mahishasura, who was terrorizing the earth, a flame of intense light emerged. Manudevi manifested from it. When the deities requested her to liberate them from the suffering caused by Mahishasura, she gave them the assurance of protection, promising that she would take the form of Goddess Saptashrungi and wage war against Mahishasura. The temple stands today at the very spot where Manudevi gave this assurance to the deities. It appears that this temple has been renovated many times over the course of time. It is said that here It was a twelfth-century temple built in the Hemadpanti architectural style. After the renovation of this temple in 1991, it attained its present form. 

On the Burhanpur-Ankleshwar Highway, Adgaon Phata is located to the west of Chincholi-Kingaon. To reach the Manudevi Temple, one must travel through the tribal village of Manapuri. On the way, there is a small temple of Lord Hanuman. Three kilometers further from there is the temple of the primordial power, Goddess Manudevi. The journey involves traveling through the scenic, dense forests of the Satpura mountain range along winding, serpentine roads. There are about one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five steps to reach the temple. Along this stairway, there are many permanent shops selling worship materials, toys, snacks, and offerings. 

Constructed using marble stone, the main hall (sabhamandap) of this temple measures eighty-six by fifty feet, while the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) is twenty-two by fourteen feet in size. Considering the large crowds of devotees that gather in the temple, especially during festival periods, steel railings have been installed starting from the steps of the main hall. Inside the main hall is the sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess. The sanctum features a beautiful arched canopy inlaid with silver sheets. Within it, on a silver pedestal, are two idols of the Goddess. One idol is taller, while the other is smaller. Both idols are adorned with silver crowns on their heads and various ornaments on their bodies. In front of the temple is the sacrificial hall (yajnashala). In the shrines located within the temple premises, idols of deities such as Ganesha, Mahalakshmi, Renuka Mata, and Tulja Bhavani are enshrined, along with a Shiva Linga. Nearby is the abode of Ichhapurti Ganesha. Here, the form of Ganesha has naturally emerged on the trunk of a tree. Devotees worship it and also seek divine guidance (kaul) from the deity. In front of the temple, there is a waterfall approximately one hundred and fifty feet high. Its water flows through the stream running alongside the stairway path. During the monsoon season, many devotees are seen enjoying the rainy weather there. 

Devotees can have darshan at this temple between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Every year, a Navchandi Mahayajna is organized here on Chaitra and Magh Shukla Ashtami. The temple fair is held throughout the month of Margashirsha and on the day following Pithori Amavasya in Shravan. The Navratri festival and a fair also take place in the month of Ashwin. During the Navratri festival, lakhs of devotees come to this temple for darshan. Here, Puran Poli is offered as naivedya to the Goddess.

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