renuka devi temple

Overview

Mahur or Mahurgad is a religious place in Maharashtra, India. Mahur is said to be the birthplace of Hindu Goddess Renuka or MatapurNiwasiniJagdamba Devi, mother of Lord Parshuram. The three and half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra are Tuljapur enshrining Bhavani, Kolhapur enshrining Mahalakshmi, Mahur enshrining Mahamaya, and Renuka or Jagdamba Devi and Saptshringi enshrining Jagadamba. Other Shakti temples in the state are those at Ambejogai and Aundh.There are many temples in Mahur like Anusaya and Kalika temples. The most important one is the temple of Renuka Devi, which has a special place in the Hindu mythology. A big fair is held here every year on the occasion of Vijayadashami.Mahur is said to be birthplace of God Dattatreya. Dattatreya was born to Goddess Anusaya. There is an ancient temple of Dattatreya. Every year on DattaPornima thousands of people visit Mahur.

About the temple

As per Sri AdiShankarachrya'sshaktipeethasshlok the 8th Shakti peethas is 'MahuryeEkaveerika'

Ekaveerikadevi temple is in Mahur, Maharashtra. The deity here is called Ekaveerikamata. The temple is in Yavatmal district in Maharashtra. It is 50 km from Kinwat and 126 km from Nanded. Nagpur is 210 km by road from Mahur. Sati's Right shoulder has fallen here.

Mahur is famous for Renuka Devi temple and very few people are knowing about Ekaveerikadevi temple and mostly they call Renukadevi temple as shaktipeeth. It is said that Ekaveerika Devi is the elder sister of Renukadevi. Renukadevi temple is 800 years old.

One of the 18Shaktipeethas, it known as " MahuryeEkaveerika" EkaveeraMayura; or Ekaveera Mata, or Goddess Ekaveera Mata temple at Mahur, Nanded dist. Also called MayuraKshetram or MatruPatanam.This temple 19/,23kms, from Mahur village, on the bank of Pen ganga (Pancha ganga river), in the fields. The temple has the' head' of the deity goddess .Near by hill and surroundings have numerous temples, viz. Renukamata temple; parasuramatemple;Dattreya Swami temple; Anasuyamata temple; Atri Maharishi Temple; Matruthirtha; Devdeveshwarmandir;Mahur Fort This place is also called Heure 2 19kms from Mahur. By and large this temple is more known as Ekaveera, locally, as i learnt from a bank manager of Nanded. Not as known as Ekavenikadevi, localy, and mostly frquented by people from Andhra than maharastra.

Renuka Devi Temple, MahurRenuka Devi Temple at Mahur in Nanded, Maharashtra is one of the important temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Mahur is said to be the birthplace of Hindu Goddess Renuka, mother of Lord Parashuram. Many temples can be seen here, with the strategically important Ramgad Fort. The place is in Kinwat Taluka and it is about 130 km away from Nanded city. Temples of Lord Parashuram and Lord Dattatreya are also constructed in the neighbourhood. There are caves around the surrounding hills, the view being quite breathtaking.

It is believed that a Yadava King of Devgiri had constructed the temple about 800-900 years ago. Mahur is amongst the four places of pilgrimage having the abodes of the three and a half goddesses that are of major importance in the state of Maharashtra. The other three, respectively are, Kolhapur, Tuljapur and Saptashringi and Mahur is half, because it is only the head of the goddess that is visible. The three and half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra are Tuljapur enshrining Bhavani, Kolhapur enshrining Mahalakshmi, Mahur enshrining Mahamaya, and Renuka and Saptshringi enshrining Jagadamba. Goddess Renuka performs the role of Mother Goddess and is responsible for the welfare of her devotees, for curing diseases and protecting the cattle. On the day of Dussehra every year a very big fair is held in honour of Renuka Devi.

Location of Renuka Devi Temple

Mahur is situated on the Sahyadri Ranges, also known as the Western Ghats. All three important temples "Renuka Temple", "Dattatreya Temple" and "Anusaya Temple" are built on three mountain ranges. Mahur is surrounded by jungles rich with trees and wild life. Peacocks, dears, black bears, and panthers are very common in the jungle.

Attractions at Renuka Devi Temple

There are several nearby attractions to visit at Mahur, such as Renuka Temple, Dattatreya Temple, Anusaya Temple, Devdeveshwar Temple, Parashuram Temple, Sarvatirtha, Matru-Tirtha, Pandav Leni, Mahurgad Fort, Mahakali Temple, Mahur Museum, SonapirDargah, Shaikh Farid Water fall, Palace of RajeUdaram. People who visit Mahur also visit "Unkeshwar", which has natural sources of hot water. This sulphur rich water is supposed to have medicinal value.

Architecture

This wonderful temple was constructed in the year 1514 by the BommappaNayak. The spectacular architecture represents the Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta construction styles. In the vast temple courtyard, there are many smaller temples for Ganesha, Siddheshwara, Eknaath, Mallikarjuna and Parashurama. The management is currently handled by the government. The architecture of this temple is a representation of the rich culture of the ancient Indian kings.

The prehistoric SaundattiRenukaYellamma Temple is located in the Saundatti Taluk which is around five kilometers from the town of Saundatti. The temple is located on ahill which makes it a famous spot for the pilgrimages. YellammaJatra which takes place at this temple was practices of making women follow the Devadasi system. In this, all the ladies were to devote their lives towards dancing and singing for the temple god. Then, these ladies were to lead the life of concubines for the local rich people. With the passage of time they were forced to get into prostitution. But now, this Jatra is a celebration of the power of the Goddesses. During this, an idol of the Devi Yellamma is taken out in a procession.

General Information

To prove that everything is under the power of Shakti, it is believed that three Lords Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva are in the sanctum sanctorum formlessly. Worshipping Ambica means worshipping all the Gods and 30 crore Devas of the celestial world.

AtriMaharshi Temple

Atrimaharshi is the father of Dattatreyaswamy. This temple is also present beside Anasuyamata temple.

Matrutirtha

Matrutirha is a very holy pond described in Guru Charitra. Lord Parsurama did ceremony of his father, Jamadagni, in this place. People will take a holy dip in this pond and get rid off their sins.

Devdeveshwar Mandir

This is the sleeping place of Dattatreya swami. Daily Guru Dattatreya swami will take bath at Varanasi in Ganga river, Bhiksha (Lunch) in Kolhapur and sleep in Mahur. This temple is present in Mahur town.

Temple's Speciality

Amman in the temple is a swayambumurthy - head alone. This is one among the Shakti Peetas. Against the kumkum Prasad offered in Shakti temples, only sand is offered here. Though an Amman temple, three are no lion paintings on the walls but only cows. Also against a lion or Yazhi (belonging to lion family) vahan in Amman shrines, there is a bull here.

Greatness of Temple

The Prasad offered in the temple is sand dug from a pit from a place a little away where an ashram of Sage Jamadagni – husband of Renukadevi – is believed to have existed. It seems that the sand is ever filling. It is taken on AaniTirumanjanam day in June-July. People mix it in water and consume for child boon and cure from stomach pain. Many say that this is very effective.

The sanctum sanctorum is very different in the temple. Mother Renukadevi is a swayambu with head alone. All the three Lords are also believed to be in the sanctum without forms. Acharya Sankara had installed a Banalinga and idol head here. The full form of Amman also is in the form of a sculpture on the wall along with the idol of Sage Parasurama. It is believed that many great souls had performed penance in this region. Of the Shakti Peetas in the ThondaiMandalam region, this temple is one.

The place also gains importance as the birth place of Sage Parasurama born to Sage Jamadagni and Mother Renukadevi, hence praised as ParasuramaKshetra. Though an Ambica temples there are signs of Lions in the walls but cows. Ganapathi Muni had performed penance here. The temple has beautiful sculptures.

About the Deity

Ekaveerika ShakthiPeeth is a small shrine with one hall and a sanctum Sanctorum. Only the head of the deity is here. Ekaveerikamata is the elder sister of Renuka Devi, the wife of Sage Jamadagni. EkaveerikaShakthiPeeth is a seat of Tantric worship. People offer Bali to Devi.

Renuka Devi temple is an ancient temple, about 800 years old and is on the hill top. Sage Jamadagni is also present in the temple in the form of a Shiva ling. The temple was built by Yadava King of Devagiri in the thirteenth century.Pan and Supari are offered as Prasad to the deity.

Ekaveeramata temple

It is present on the bank of Pen Ganga river (Pancha Ganga river). It is about 30 to 40 minutes distance from Mahur. The temple is present in the fields of near by Village. The temple is very small. We will see only the head of Goddess here.

Goddess Renuka is associated with the Goddess Yellamma worship in Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Goddess Renuka is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga and is popular in rural culture as the Mother Goddess and is worshipped as Amma, Yellamma, Duggavva, Dyaamavva and Marikamba. Her name and attributes changes from region to region.

Legend has it that Renuka was the wife of Sage Jamadagni and he suspected her of infidelity and ordered Parashurama to behead her. Lord Parashurama obeyed his father and when Sage Jamadagniwanted to reward his son, Lord Parashurama asked him to bring back his mother. Thus Renuka, the mother of Lord Parashurama, was brought back to life.

This story found numerous interpretations in rural culture and Renuka is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga and in this incarnation she represented the fate of many rural women who were falsely accused of infidelity or other crimes.

Goddess Renuka performs the role of Mother Goddess and is responsible for the welfare of her devotees, for curing diseases and protecting the cattle. A large number of Goddesses worshipped in rural culture are forms of Goddess Durga. She is given different rural names and characteristics but her role remains the same that of the Mother Goddess.

Legend and stories

Renuka was the daughter of the King Renu of Kubaj country and the wife of the Sage Jamadagni. When the King Sahastrarjuna paid a visit to Jamadagni in his abode, he was taken by surprise by the hospitality of the sage. When asked about the same, the sage told him that it is all because of the "Kamadhenu", i.e., cow that fulfils the desires of the owner given to him by Indra, the King of the Gods.Thinking that if the Kamadhenu was in his possession he would be able to maintain his vast army easily, the King Sahastrarjuna tried to seize the Kamadhenu from the sage by farce when his request to hand over the Kamadhenu to him was turned down by the sage. In the scuffle the sage died and his wife Renuka was injured due to 21 wounds she had received at the hands of the king. At this juncture many soldiers appeared on the scene from the body of the Kamadhenu by divine magic and farced the king to retreat.

On coming to know of the above incident Parashuram, the son of Jamadagni who rushed there vowed to defeat and punish the king 21 times. His mother asked him to cremate his father. He carried his father and mother to Mahur and cremated his father there. His mother became a sati.The religious rites were conducted on this occasion by the God Sri Dattatreya himself. However, after everything was over Parashuram was stricken by grief and at this time a voice from the heavens told him that his mother would came out from the earth but he should not look behind. Being eager to see his mother, Parashuram turned the head to have a look at his mother again and the Renuka Mata stopped there as a head only and said that I will be residing here only and will not live the place.

Story of Ekaveerika Devi

Renuka was the daughter of the king Renu of Kubaj country and the wife of the sage Jamadagni. When the king Sahastrarjuna paid a visit to Jamadagni in his abode, he was taken by surprise by the hospitality of the sage. When asked about the same, the sage told him that it is all because of the Kamadhenu, i.e., cow that fulfils the desires of the owner given to him by Indra, the king of the temple.

Thinking that if the Kamadhenu was in his possession he would be able to maintain his vast army easily, the king Sahastrarjuna tried to seize the Kamadhenu from the sage by farce when his request to hand over the Kamadhenu to him was turned down by the sage. In the scuffle that ensued the sage died and his wife Renuka was injured due to 21 wounds she had received at the hands of the king. At this juncture many soldiers appeared on the scene from the body of the Kamadhenu by divine magic and farced the king to retreat.

On coming to know of the above incident Parasuram, the son of Jamadagni who rushed there vowed to defeat and punish the king 21 times. His mother asked him to cremate his father. He carried his father and mother to Mahur and cremated his father there. His mother became a sati.

The religious rites were conducted on this occasion by the God Sri Dattatreya himself. However, after everything was over Parasuram was stricken by grief and at this time a voice from the heavens told him that his mother would came out from the earth but he should not look behind. Being eager to see his mother, Parasuram just saw behind far a fraction of a second to find the mother's face aver the earth. The upper facet is the present upper facet of the Renukadevi.Renukadevi is adorned with various gold ornaments such as the golden flowers to be used as earrings, gold garlands (putal mal candrahar, jaymal, etc.), nose-ring (nath), etc.

Temple History

Renukadevi, daughter of King Raivada married Sage Jamadagni and delivered Parasurama. It so happened that Renukadevi delayed in bringing water for Jamadagni’s puja as she stood wondering the beauty of the reflection of a Gandharva in the water. Suspecting her fidelity, Jamadagni ordered his son Parasurama to chop off her head which the son obeyed. Yet, Parasurama begged his father to give him back his mother. Jamadagni gave the son the water with a Mantra power to restore her to life. While doing so, Parasurama wrongly fixed the head of his mother with other woman and was able to make only the head alive.

Meanwhile, as one Karthaveeryarjunan stole the Kamadenu cow of Jamadagni after killing him. Renukadevi accompanied her husband in death. However, as rain fell, she appeared with burn injuries and neem leaf clothing and met her son Parasurama. Parasurama pursued Karthaveeryarjuna and killed him and recovered the Kamadenu and began destroying the Kshatriya community. Lord Shiva appeared before Parasurama and said that what happened was the act of destiny and asked him to end the anger. While Renukadevi’s head alone stayed in Earth, the body accompanied Jamadagni to higher worlds. This is how, Renuka’s head alone stayed and now a swayambu in the Padavedu temple.

Festivals

The nine-day Navaratri festival at the temple is famous for its unique rituals. Thousands of people arrive to celebrate Navratri at the abode of Renuka Devi.All Fridays in Aadi month are festive days in the temple in July-August drawing huge devotee crowds running in lakhs. PurattasiNavarathri is the other great festival of the temple in September-October. First day of each Tamil month, Margazhi pujas in December-January, Fridays of Thai month covering January-February, Tamil and English New Year Days, Deepavali, Pongal are also celebrated with special pujas and aradhanas.

Prasad and offerings

Prasad is grinded.Here pan patta and supari are grinded as paste and offered as prasad. Other temples which we can see here are Parashuram Temple, Jamadgni temple and Anasuya temple.

Thanks giving

Realizing their wishes, devotees offer coins equal to their weight. This is called Tulabaram. They light ghee lamps and offer small metal pieces – copper or silver with limb symbols, eye in particular and Saris. They use only neem leaves made covering as clothing and circumambulate the temple. Tonsuring is also followed. Ear boring, placing cradles, donating cocks, animals are the main commitments followed by devotees. For removal of pimples in faces, people offer jaggery and pepper. KodiDeepam – lighting one crore lamps – is a great undertaking. People prepare Prasad, offer to deity and distribute it to others. Feeding-Annanadhanam also is organized by some devotees.

Best Time to Visit

Many people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra visit this temple during the winter months. The main attraction during this period is the Shri Yellamma Devi Fair, which is a celebration dedicated to the Goddess. Also, the temperature during the months starting from October till February is very pleasant. A lot of devotees come to this temple to worship Devi Yellamma. But, during the other months also, one can visit this temple but most of the crowd is seen during winters due to the fairs during those months.

Significance

People affected with small pox come to the place, stay here for a few days observing some regulations and get cured within 3 or 4 days. They also spill the water on the body offered in the temple. They also consume the Veppilaitheertham-water mixed with neem leaves. Devotees also pray for child, wedding boons. Majority of the devotees pray for cure from small pox and eye related problems.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest Airport is Nagpur, 200 kms

Railways

The nearest railway station is Kinwat which is 50 KM away, but Nanded which is 126 KM. is the more convenient railway station on South Central railway.

Road

Mumbai - Ahmednagar - Paithan - Jalan - Washim - Pusad - Mahur, 717 kms. Mahurgad - Kinwat, 50 kms.

Temple Address

Renuka Peetham,
Mahur,
Nanded District,
Maharashtra.