Located in Tuljapur in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra is an important Shakti Peeth or Peedam - second among the 51 Shakti centers. Tuljabhavani Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhavani (Durga) is an historical temple built in c. 12th century CE. It is close to Solapur, just 45 km. Goddess Durga is actually Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva.
There are four famous Shakti Peeths in Maharastra: temples of Renuka at Mahur, Mahalaxmi at Kolhapur, and Saptashringi at Vani, and the fourth one being Bhavani at Tuljapur which is the deity of the Bhosale Royal family, the Yadavs and of countless numbers of families belonging to different castes.
The legend has it, in this place a demon with mystical boons was causing untold miseries to the people and the sages. He did not spare even the demi-gods. With no solution insight, they sought the help of Goddess Shakti on the advice of Brahma. Goddess Shakti assumed the powers of other deities such as Vaishnavi, Kaumaari Indraani and Saambhavi, Mata Varaahi, and Brahmi. The demon was no match for the powerful Goddess. Upon his death peace was restored in this place. According to legends Goddess Bhavani killed demon Mahisha, half human and half buffalo in this Yamunachal area of Balaghat mountain range. and also the demon "Kukur" who disturbed Anubuti, wife of sage Kadam when she was engaged in penance on the banks of river "mandakini". Hence, the goddess is referred to as Tulja Bhavani. The Tuljabhawani temple is on this hill -Yamunachala.
The temple has three entrances named after the parents of Shivaji Maharaj- Raja Shahaji, and Rajmata Jijau. The main entrance being
Sardar Nimbalkar. Close to the entrance there is a temple dedicated to Markandeya Rishi (sage). On the temple premises one can see libraries and Homakund to do yagna. Tradition has it before entering the garbagriha - sanctum, many devotees take a holy dip in the water tanks near by called Gomukh Theerth` and Kallol Theerth. On the temple premised there are other features Amruth Kund , a Datta and temples dedicated to Siddhi Vinayak, Aadishakti, Aadimata Matangadevi and goddess Annapurna
Unlike many temples, the image of Goddess Bhavani, it is believed, is self-manifested - swayambhu`. The idol is not specifically carved out of stone, etc. The stone idol is three-foot tall, with eight arms holding weapons, and bearing the head of the slain demon Mahishasura. The Goddess is also known as Tulaja, Tvarita and Amba. The goddess is full of charm and compassion to her true devotees. She is always a destroyer of evil forces and evil-minded people who go against Dharma.
Adi maya /Adi shakti temple is just north of
Tuljabhavani temple. It is said that very first puja is done here and then followed by
pooja of Tuljabhavani. Th first puja is done at 5 am. Dailyt here will be abishekam to the deity. Daily Naivaidhyam is offered to the deity. Devotees sponsor Naivedhya. As this temple is the family deity of the Maratha ruling clan, daily Naividhya is done and the prasadam is offered to the representative.
The main priests (pujaris) of the temple are from a Maratha Bhope clan. There are 16 head priests who take turns at officiating puja protocols, etc. The pujas and rituals are conducted as established
by the management within the purview of temple Agama Sastras. The daily affairs of the temple are looked after by the trust which
is headed by the District Collector Every year the temple's popularity is going up and, on an average, more than 4 million devotees visit this sanctified place ever year.
Navarathri festival (Sept-October)is celebrated on a grand scale and during Dussera, people in thousands walk to this temple barefoot from far off places. The great ruler, warrior and founder of the Maratha kingdom, Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited the temple as he was an ardent devotee of Goddess Bhavani. People believe that the Goddess gifted him a sword with which he won countless wars against the Muslim rulers and later the East India company's army.
https://www.darshanhotel.in/content/10-tuljabhavani-temple-tuljapur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulja_Bhavani_Temple
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| uljabhavani temple, Tulijapur, MH..gyanipandit.com |
The legend has it, in this place a demon with mystical boons was causing untold miseries to the people and the sages. He did not spare even the demi-gods. With no solution insight, they sought the help of Goddess Shakti on the advice of Brahma. Goddess Shakti assumed the powers of other deities such as Vaishnavi, Kaumaari Indraani and Saambhavi, Mata Varaahi, and Brahmi. The demon was no match for the powerful Goddess. Upon his death peace was restored in this place. According to legends Goddess Bhavani killed demon Mahisha, half human and half buffalo in this Yamunachal area of Balaghat mountain range. and also the demon "Kukur" who disturbed Anubuti, wife of sage Kadam when she was engaged in penance on the banks of river "mandakini". Hence, the goddess is referred to as Tulja Bhavani. The Tuljabhawani temple is on this hill -Yamunachala.
The temple has three entrances named after the parents of Shivaji Maharaj- Raja Shahaji, and Rajmata Jijau. The main entrance being
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| Goddess TulijaBhavani pinrest com. |
Unlike many temples, the image of Goddess Bhavani, it is believed, is self-manifested - swayambhu`. The idol is not specifically carved out of stone, etc. The stone idol is three-foot tall, with eight arms holding weapons, and bearing the head of the slain demon Mahishasura. The Goddess is also known as Tulaja, Tvarita and Amba. The goddess is full of charm and compassion to her true devotees. She is always a destroyer of evil forces and evil-minded people who go against Dharma.
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| Tuljabhavani temple, Tulijapur, MH. Main entrance gateen.wikipedia.org |
The main priests (pujaris) of the temple are from a Maratha Bhope clan. There are 16 head priests who take turns at officiating puja protocols, etc. The pujas and rituals are conducted as established
by the management within the purview of temple Agama Sastras. The daily affairs of the temple are looked after by the trust which
is headed by the District Collector Every year the temple's popularity is going up and, on an average, more than 4 million devotees visit this sanctified place ever year.
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| Tuljapur, Maharastra nativeplanet.com |
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| Shivaji Maharaj receiving sword from the goddess Bhavani. darshanhotel.i |
Navarathri festival (Sept-October)is celebrated on a grand scale and during Dussera, people in thousands walk to this temple barefoot from far off places. The great ruler, warrior and founder of the Maratha kingdom, Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited the temple as he was an ardent devotee of Goddess Bhavani. People believe that the Goddess gifted him a sword with which he won countless wars against the Muslim rulers and later the East India company's army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulja_Bhavani_Temple
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