Khandoba Temple

The temple is dedicated to Khandoba, who is the presiding deity of the town and is considered to be another form of Lord Shiva. Khandoba temple is a small well maintained and calm place. A stone idol of Lord Khandoba is located in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Also, the idols of Lord Sai Baba and Mahalsapati are inscribed as a remembrance of an event of Lord Baba coming to Shirdi. A rectangular sandpit is situated in front of the Khandoba temple which was used for fire-walking in earlier days. Now, this tradition has stopped. Even during the annual festival of Champa Shashti, devotees walk on hot coals in the accompaniment of bhajans.

It is believed that Sai Baba came to Shirdi for a second time with a marriage party and set his foot under the banyan tree. The priest named Mahalsapati first spotted the nameless fakir and welcomed him to Shirdi by saying 'Aao Sai', which in Marathi means 'welcome Sai'. Having felt calm and at peace at this place, Shirdi Sai Baba first decided to make this temple his residence, but Mahalsapati thought him to be a Muslim and did not allow him to stay there. Then, Baba made an old dilapidated mosque of Shirdi as his residence and lived there till his last breath.

History

Established by the princely king of Maharashtra on a small hill in a fort, Khandoba Temples are sacred to the Hindu god, Khandoba. Set against the backdrop of lush green hills, Khandoba Temples are a must-visit on a pilgrimage tour to Maharashtra. Two temples in Jejuri are sacred to Lord Khandoba - one is Kadepathaara and Gad-kot temple.

Architecture

KADEPATHAARA TEMPLE

Kadepathaara, the older one amongst the two, looks ancient from its structure. The temple is situated at an elevation of 133 meters and is spread over an area of 11 acres. To reach the temple, devotees will have to climb steep stairs and go through several arches. The old village site, now deserted, was to the east of the hill on which the new temple stands.

GAD-KOT TEMPLE

Gad-kot temple, the newly constructed temple, is comparatively easy to reach as compared to its counterpart, Kadepathaara Temple. This temple has about 450 steps, 18 Kamani (arches), and 350 Dipmalas (lamp-pillars). Although the temple appears small in size, it has two divisions - Mandap and Gabhara. Inside the main sanctum of the temple, there is a huge statue of Lord Khandoba with a big 'Khanda' (literal meaning swords). In garbhagriha, there are two swayambhu lingams. If the sky is clear then from the temple, tourists can see the beautiful view of the city and Dive Ghat.