Kolhapur

Kolhapur

Kolhapur is located in Kolhapur district and is well connected with Pune, 240 km north. It is on the national highway between Bangalore and Pune. It is situated on the banks of the Panchganga river and is full of ancient temples and shrines.

Legends: The Karavira Mahatmya states that Vishnu resides in the form of Mahalakshmi at Kolhapur. Legend has it that Kolhasura, a demon that tormented the Gods and other beings, was destroyed by Mahalakshmi here at Karavira, and that the spot of his death became a thirtha and that she took abode here in a shrine which constitutes the temple today.

History::  Although several parts of the temple are of the second half of the second millennium CE, epigraphic references place the deity in the 7th century CE, and the temple in the 10th century CE.  For a period in the interim, this temple had fallen out of worship and the image of the Goddess was housed elsewhere. Worship was restored in the year 1715 after the Marathas rose to power.

The Temple: The main entrance Mahadwara of the temple is the western entrance. Upon entering the Mahadwara one is confronted with several deepamaalas on either side, and enters the Garuda mandap with square pillars and foliated arches of wood, characteristic of Maratha temples. This mandap dates back to the 18th century. An image of garuda faces the sanctum. Another stone mandap, on a raised platform enshrining Ganesh, also faces the sanctum. Following this is the mandap with three shrines facing west. The central one is that of Mahalakshmi and the two on either side are those of Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi.

The temple complex exhibits mortarless construction echoing the style of the early Deccan temples. Also to be noted here are the horizontal mouldings and the vertical offsets which create a rich light and shade pattern. Also seen in this temple is a rich display of sculpture of figurines in dancing poses, musicians, gods and goddesses. The three sancta have rather simple shikharas of brick and mortar dating back to the 19th century.

Above the Mahalakshmi sanctum is a shrine with a Shivalingam and a nandi. The devakoshtas house Venkatesha, Katyayani and Gowri Shankar - facing the north, east and the south. There are a number of subsidiary shrines in the courtyard to the Navagrahas, Surya, Mahishasuramardini, Vitthal-Rakhmai, Shiva, Vishnu, Tulja Bhavani and others. Some of these images date back to the 11th century, while some are of recent origin.  Also located in the courtyard is the temple tank Manikarnika Kund, on whose bank is a shrine to Visweshwar Mahadev.

Worship: Five worship services are offered each day here.  The first one is at 5 am, and it involves the waking of the deity with a Kakada - torch, to the accompaniment of hymns. The second worship service at 8 am involves the offeirng of the Shodashopachara pooja consisting of 16 elements. The afternoon and evening services and the Shejaarati pooja constitute the three other services.

A festival image of the deity is taken out in procession around the temple courtyard each Friday, and on full moon days.

Shree Kshetra Narsobawadi

Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami Dattadeva temple is situated at Narsimhawadi, Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Shri Narasimha Saraswati worked for the upliftment of the poor going about from place to place. Wherever he left his padukas holy sandals behind, those areas became places of worship for the devotees. Narsinhawadi is one of these blessed lands. It is said that Shri Dattadeva himself reigns over this land to help alleviate all kinds of suffering, especially including possession by spirits, and worldly troubles of his devotees. Thus it is considered to be a jagrut land, a land that is blessed with his presence even today.

Sri Narasimha Saraswati visited the Pancha Ganga Sagar, which is the confluence of the five holy rivers, Siva, Bhadra, Kumbhi, Bhagwati and Saraswati, where they all meet and merge in the Krishna River. Here is the temple of Amareshwar and hence the place is called as Amarapur. Nearby is the Sakti Teertha, where Sixty-four Yogini Shaktis, serving reside and worshipping Amareshwar, but unseen by others. Nearby are Papa Vinashini and other holy Teerthas. Sri Krishna Saraswati stayed at Amarapur for 12 years. This place came to be later called as Narsobawadi (Narsobachi Wadi), after Sri Narasimha Saraswati.

In Guru Charitra Chapter 19 Sri Narasimha Saraswati says:"I am leaving my Padukas here. I will be ever present where my Padukas are worshipped. Whatever wishes to be prayed for, offering worship to the Padukas, they will be granted and fulfilled."

Legend of Narsobawadi

It is said that Dattadeva - the unity of the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva was borne by the ancient sage Atri and his wife Anusuya. This was in the Satya Yuga. Shripad was the earthly form of Dattadeva in the Kaliyuga. Shripad was born in the present state of TamilNadu to a Brahmin couple Raja and Sumati. He took the vow of Brahmacharya early, saying that he was the husband (Vallabh) of the Goddess Yogashri and hence came to be called Shripad ShriVallabh. He went about leading the life of a wandering ascetic. In his wanderings he met, a widow Amba. Tired of her troublesome and unworthy son, Amba wished to end her life. Shripad ShriVallabh blessed her son and reformed him. Amba too, asked him for a boon that she becomes a mother of an illustrious son of god in her next birth. He granted her the wish. In her next birth she was reborn in a Brahmin family. She married Shri Madhavrao Kale in the town of Karanj. As promised by Shripad ShriVallabh she delivered a son called Narahari. Initially this child would not talk; the only word he uttered was Om. At the age of seven he explained to his mother with gestures that his thread ceremony needed to be done. During the thread ceremony, as the mother began giving alms to the Brahmins, to their surprise, the child started reciting the Vedas. He now asked his mothers permission to go to Kashi to learn the Vedas. The mother was sad and afraid to send such a small child to Kashi. He then put his hand on the mother’s forehead and reminded her of her own past birth and who he was. He also reassured her that soon she would beget four sons and a daughter. In about a year’s time his mother delivered twin boys. Thus Narahari left to do penance in the holy town of Kashi.There, he had the fortune of meeting his guru Shri Krishna Saraswati. After learning from him, he started calling himself Shri Narasimha Saraswati. When he came back to his parent’s town, he blessed his parents with freedom from the cycle of birth and death. He then took up a life of a wandering saint, attending to people’s sufferings, and performing miracles to help the troubled. It was in these wanderings that he came to Narsinhawadi. Shri Narasimha Saraswati Swami resided in Narsimhawadi from 1422 to 1434, i.e., for twelve years.

Many were the learned who flocked to Him for the elucidation of intricate questions in scriptural knowledge. Many of them got their doubts clarified and attained Self-realization. This is no task to one who could uplift even the dull witted. After his mother got more children He covered His head with a piece of cloth, put on wooden sandals, covered His body with the ochre robe and wore a codpiece. Taking a staff in His hand, He set out from His home in joy to fulfill His mission which was to revive faith and uplift the people morally and spiritually.

On his way to Badrinath, Narahari reached the Holy Varanasi (Kashi) in the guise of a seeker after liberation. Lord Narahari, in accordance with Holy tradition, resorted to His Holiness Swami Krishna Saraswati as his Guru and from him took the vow of sanyas. Henceforth, He came to be known as Shri Narasimha Saraswati. He formally took the vow of lifelong celebacy. Thus he became a full-fledged sannyasi who has transcended the opposites of joy and sorrow and the limitations of a self-centered will. This World Teacher has laid down the tradition of sanyas for seekers after liberation.

Shri Narashimha Saraswati expounded the nature of sanyas to some and the meaning of the Vedas, which can secure the true objects of life (Purusharthas), to others. Then, he proceeded in his wanderings round the country in a clock-wise direction, along with his disciples. He had seven disciples and they were Baala, Krishna, Upendra, Janajyoti, Sadaananda, Madhava and Siddha. All have the title 'Saraswati' suffixed to their names.

He took holy dips in all the holy rivers along the way and reached the sacred place where the river Ganga joins the sea. From Benares he went to Badrika Ashram with his disciples. Then moving from place to place for the welfare of common people, he arrived at Ganga sagar, near Calcutta. Some Twenty years passed this way. Shri Narasimha Saraswati reappeared at his home to the wonder and joy of his family and town people, He blessed them all.

In the Guru Charitra the miracles performed by him are described. These miracles were meant to increase faith among people in a higher power and start them on the path of spiritual path.

Shri Narasimha Saraswati then went to Trumbakeshwar, Parli and Parli vaijnath. At Parli Vaijnath he did penance for one year and remained in seclusion. Afterwards he went to Audumbar and Amarapur near the confluence of the rivers Krishna and the Panchaganga. At Amarapur he stayed 12 years. This place was called "Nrisimhawadi" and later "Narsobawadi" by his affectionate disciples and devotees. From Amarapur he went to Gangapur and remained there for 24 years. During his stay there many astonishing incidents and miracles took place.

Shri Narasimha Saraswati was now considered as 'Siddha Purusha' (Perfect, almost Godlike being) with Divine powers of healing physical ailments and alleviating worries of his devotees. Hindus and Muslims used to come to him considering him their Sadguru.

When people were in utter despair, Shri Narasimha Saraswati brought about a religious and spiritual renaissance and restored their morale. The places where He stayed have become centres of pilgrimage viz., Narsobawadi, Audumbar and Gangapur. Gangapur is believed to be the abode of Lord Dattatreya. There is a holy hillock of Vibhuti (holy ash) from which devotees pick up the sacred ash as Prasad to take home. This hillock has not been depleted, even though devotees have been taking away sacred ash for centuries.

The atmosphere in all the three pilgrimage centers is sublime and devotees feel peaceful and spiritually uplifted. Miracles take place at Gangapur specially, even now.

About the Temple:
Swayambhoo Paduka of Lord Dattatreya is present in the main Temple. Annapurna Mandir, Janhavi Mandir, Ganapati Mandir, Maruti Mandir, Jeevantha Samadhi of Ramachandra Yogi who lived much before Narasimha Saraswati came to Narsobawadi, Narayana Swami Mandir, Kashikar Swamy Mandir, Gopalaswamy Mandir, Vittal Rukumai Mandir, Krishnaveni Mandir and Mouniswamy Mandir are also present in the vicinity of the Mandir.

The Temple dedicated to Lord Amareshwara is present at a distance of 1 Kilometer from the main Temple on the other side of the Panchaganga River.

Padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswati at Narasobachi Wadi Temple

Audumber Tree at Narsobachi Wadi Temple

Narsobachi Wadi Temple

Videos:

 

Temple Timings:

Morning 5:00 AM to Night 10 PM

Daily Programmes in the Temple:

5:00 AM                         - Paduka Pooja by Main Priest.
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon  - Rudrabhishek.
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM      - Maha Pooja followed by Aarti.
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM        - Pavamana Sookta Parayana.
7:30 PM                          - Dhoop Aarti.
8:00 PM                          - Palanquin Procession.
10:00 PM                        - Shej Aarti.

Large Scale Celebration of festivals:

How to Reach Narsobawadi:

Sri Kshetra Narsobachiwadi or Narsobawadi is approximately 22 kilometers from Sangli city and 14 Kilometers from Jai Singhpur in Maharashtra State. Nearest Train Station is Jai Singhpur which is 5 kms from Sangli Railway Station. City Bus Service is available from Sangli to Narsobachiwadi. Private Jeeps/Trax/Sumo is also available from Sangli.

Contact Details of Narsobachiwadi Temple:
Shree Kshetra Narsobawadi
Shree Nrisinnsaraswati Swami Datta Dev Sansthan,
Taluk:Shirol, District: Kolhapur,
Maharashtra, India,
Pincode:416 104
Contact Numbers: +91 2322 270064 / 270501 / 270006

For more information about Narsobawadi, log on to http://www.narsobawadi.com.

(Source: Personal Interview with Shri.Raju Poojari, Temple Purohit on 29th July 2012).