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Shri Tulja Bhavani Temple

Tuljapur, Dharashiv (Osmanabad) district, Maharashtra

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Shri Tulja Bhavani Temple
Photo: Dhondudagde, CC0

About

Maa Tulja Bhavani of Tuljapur is the kuldevi (family goddess) of many families in Maharashtra and nearby states; she was also the kuldevi of the Bhosale family of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The temple is on Yamunachal hill in the Balaghat range, and devotees walk down steps to reach the shrine. The murti is of black stone, about three feet tall, and is believed to be self-manifested. In her eight hands she holds weapons as she slays Mahishasura. Tuljapur is counted among the 'three and a half Shakti Peeths' of Maharashtra, and many traditions also place it among the 51 Shakti Peeths. Navratri is the biggest festival here.

The story

The story says that in Satyug a devout woman named Anubhuti was doing tapasya by the Mandakini river. A demon named Kukur began to trouble her. Anubhuti called on the Adi Shakti, and Maa Bhavani appeared at once and destroyed the demon, who is said to have taken the form of a buffalo in the fight. Because she came 'tvarit', at once, at her devotee's call, she was named Tvarita, which later became Tulja. Another story says that when Shri Ram came here searching for Sita ji, the Devi showed him the way to Lanka at Ghatshila. The temple is believed to date from about the 12th century, and parts of it are in the Hemadpanti style. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a deep devotee and came here for her blessings. Folk tradition says the Devi appeared to him and gave him a sword, remembered as the Bhavani talwar. A special custom here is that the murti is 'chal', movable. Three times a year the Devi rests (nidra) for some days, and a silver bed is kept beside the sanctum for this.

Visiting

October to February is a good time; Navratri is very crowded. You walk down steps to the shrine, so take care of elders. Devotees first wash at the Kallol and Gomukh tirths. The Ghatshila temple and Papnash tirth are nearby. Solapur is about 45 km away.

Festivals

  • Sharad Navratri (Ashwin Shukla Pratipada to Navami): devotees carry a lit jyot from the temple to their villages
  • Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

Famous temples

Sources