4 Incredible Temples of Konkan

 Konkan is a land that gives every type of person everything. It has beaches, temples, culture, forts, and food. Here are the main, strong, old, incredible 4 temples in Konkan.

Parshuram Temple, Chiplun

This temple is located on Mahendragiri Mountain, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Lord Parshuram was the 6th avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Parshuram is known as the creator and “Rakshankarta” (the person who does defense) of Southern India. According to the mythological stories, Lord Parshuram gave earth as a gift to Rishi Kashyap after the world was flooded and made Kokan by taking the sea back. Lord Parshuram was the child of Goddess Renuka and Rishi Jamadagani. Lord Parshuram was born on Akshay Tritiya. He was known as Parshuram as, he defeated his enemies by his Parshu (Axe). The temple was built by the wife of Adil Shah of Bijapur. In 1698 Sardar of Govalkot; Siddijat destroyed and broke the temple. After that Brahmendra Swami Built the temple again with the help of Shivaji Maharaj, Kanhoji Angre, Peshwas of Pune, and Siddis of Janjira. There are 3 statues in the temple which are Kaal (Time) on the left, Kaam(Work) on the right, and Lord Parshuram in the middle. It is said that still Lord Parshuram lives there and he goes at sunrise and comes back at sunset. There is a bed in the temple of Lord Parshuram to take rest. There are temples of Goddess Renuka, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Ganga, and Lord Siddhivinayak (Lord Ganesh). There are many carvings on the pillar based on Hindu epics, stories, and books. According to the myths, Lord Parshuram requested the sea to go back as he wanted to live on that land. It is said that Lord Parshuram shot 5 arrows from the Bharuj mountain, from which 4 arrows went to Kanyakumari (Present-day Chennai) and 1 arrow came to Chiplun and the arrow formed a river. From then the river was called ‘Banganga’ which means ‘river made from an arrow’. It is said that Lord Parshuram did tapashchariya on the Mahendragiri mountain. In 1661 Shivaji Maharaj visited the temple and attempted a pooja.

Vetoba Temple, Aarawli

Vetoba temple is located in Aaravli, Vengurla, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. Lord Vetoba is the avatar of Lord Shiva. He is also called the ‘King of Ghosts’. The temple was built in 1660. The temple is known for its unique vow. After completing the vow, the person has to offer a bunch of bananas or Kolhapuri Chappal (traditional footwear mainly made with leather in Kolhapur, Maharashtra). People also offer sweets, sugar, and curd after completing the vow. It is believed that Lord Vetoba walks around the village wearing the Kolhapuri chappals.

Kunkeshwar Temple, Devgad

Kunkeshwar Temple is located in Devgad, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. The temple was built by many kings of different dynasties like Chalukyas, Yadavas, Rashtrakutas, and Marathas in the 11th-16th century AD. Lord Kunkeshwar is an avatar of Lord Shiva. The Shivling of the temple is self-made. Kunkeshwar means the god in the forest of Kunk. According to the Mythological stories that; there was a Brahmin whose cow was not giving milk for a week. One day he saw his cow standing beside a stone. After seeing this the Brahmin tried to hit the cow with the stick but the cow moved from there and the stick has hurt the stone and the stone started bleeding and the Brahmin got sure that the stone is not an ordinary stone instead it is a god’s stone. Shivaji Maharaj visited the temple. There are many Shivlings which are single-rock carved by Pandavas.

Karneshwar Temple, Sangameshwar:

Karneshwar Temple is located in Kasba, Sangameshwar, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The temple was built by King Karna of the Chalukya dynasty. The temple is carved from one big rock. The temple is built in the Hemadpanti style. According to the mythological stories the temple was built by Pandavas. The temple is said to be built in 1 day of that time (actual 6 months). There many beautiful carvings on the pillar, mandapa, shikhara, and garbhagriha. The shikhara of the temple is said to be kept after building the temple out of other rock. The temple is famous as Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was caught and was imprisoned.

Whenever you visit Kokan, you should visit these beautiful temples.

Thank you!!!!!

Niranjan Gaitonde.