Shri Tikaleshwar Mandir wade, Sangameshwar, t. Ratnagiri

Perched atop one of the breathtaking yet formidable peaks of the Sahyadri mountain range, the Tikleshwar Temple attracts not only devotees but also thousands of tourists and trekkers. The deep valleys of the Sahyadri ranges and the rugged, rocky terrain of the Tikleshwar mountain evoke a sense of the fierce form of Lord Shiva. Hundreds of devotees visit this temple, located on a high hill in Talawade village of Devrukh taluka in Ratnagiri, every day for darshan. During festivals like Mahashivratri and Guru Purnima, the entire area takes on the vibrant atmosphere of a fair.

The legend of the temple states that a great soul named Ganpat Laxman Jadhav, also known as Swami Udayanandgiri, from Harpude near Devrukh, used to perform penance on this mountain. He instructed his primary disciple, Ganpat Laxman Katalkar, also known as Swami Vidyanandgiri, originally from Borgaon, to build his samadhi on this mountain. After Udayanandgiri attained samadhi in 1970, Vidyanandgiri fulfilled his guru’s wish by constructing the samadhi in 1972. In that same year, Vidyanandgiri had a divine vision and discovered a cave on the mountaintop. The following year, in 1973, a second cave was found. While cleaning these caves, they discovered a water source. Udayanandgiri Maharaj appeared to him in a vision, instructing him to build a temple of Lord Shiva on the mountaintop. Following these instructions, Vidyanandgiri built this temple. The construction was completed on 19 February 1976. As the site lies on the border of three villages—Talawade, Harpude, and Belari—it was named Tikleshwar.

This place is also famous as a trekking point. There is a road to reach Tikleshwar on the Devrukh-Marleshwar route. The white-painted temple, situated on a high hill near Talawade village at the base of Tikleshwar, is visible from the main road. Talawade is approximately 4 kilometers from Devrukh. There is an unpaved road from Talawade village to climb this mountain. One can also reach the top by vehicle, but the final quarter of the path must be covered on foot. This steep, exhausting climb tests one’s physical endurance, but it is an adventurous treat for trekkers and mountaineers. One can reach the temple via the stone steps while enjoying the beauty of nature.

The temple consists of an open assembly hall (sabhamandap) and a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). The temple has three spires (kalash). The assembly hall has a tin roof and houses a Tulsi Vrindavan. In front of the sanctum, there is a marble statue of Nandi on a pedestal. Near the Nandi pedestal are the samadhis of Udayanandgiri and Vidyanandgiri. The sanctum houses a marble Shiva Linga adorned with a silver cobra hood. Statues of Lord Ganesha, Shri Dattatreya, and Lord Hanuman are also present here. Near the temple, there is a small shrine dedicated to Vitthal-Rukmini. A grand festival is held at the temple on Mahashivratri, featuring programs like bhajans and kirtans. On Guru Purnima, a large number of disciples of Udayanandgiri and Vidyanandgiri gather here.

The temple provides a concrete-roofed shelter for visitors. This space, which includes two rooms, a small kitchen with a hearth, a water tank, and a bathroom, can accommodate 15 to 20 people. Along with tourists, many trekkers stay here to enjoy the natural beauty. A short distance down the steps from the temple, there is a circumambulation path (pradakshina marg). Along this path, in the lower part of the temple area, there are two caves. One cave houses an idol of Goddess Bhavani, and the other contains a small Shiva Linga. Both caves have clean water tanks carved into the rock, and the water is potable. The path also features rocks carved with ancient sculptures. A round trip trek from the base of Tikleshwar takes about 5 to 6 hours.

Looking down from the Tikleshwar mountain, one can see the formidable, deep-valleyed landscape of the Sahyadris. It offers a panoramic view of the Maimatgad Fort to the east, the path leading from Gothane village on the mountain plateau towards Marleshwar, and the nearby Kundi Ghat.

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