NINE IMPORTANT DEVIS (GODESS) IN KONKAN

 1) Chandika – Dabhol : Dabhol town is located on the south-west border of Dapoli tahashil. Vashishthi River flowing from Chiplun merges into the sea at Dabhol and is called as Dabhol creek. Chandikadevi Mandir (Temple of Goddess Chandika) and a fishing jetty are the major attractions here and have made it increasingly popular as a tourist destination in Konkan. The idol of Godess Chandika here, believed to be have formed naturally on its own (Swayambhu) and the Temple is underground in a natural cave. To reach the diety, you have to pass through a low darkened passage. No light is allowed inside except that of oil lamp. There is a live spring of fresh water nearby which water all around the year has. Every year pilgrims throng here during Navaratri. This Temple is very ancient and used to be frequently visited by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

  
2) Bharadi - Malvan : Bharadi Devi(Goddess) is one goddess one just can’t think of missing when one is in Malvan. This is the famous “Active Goddess” situated at Anganewadi, 14 kms from Malvan. Angnewadi is the small hamlet of Masure village. The Bharadi devi (goddess) is very famous for her wish-fulfilling power. Devotees express their wish before her and once the wish is fulfilled they come to express their gratitude.

3) Bhagwati – Ratnagiri : A magnificent Temple located inside the massive Ratnadurg Fort, Bhagwati Mandir is a famous pilgrim center in Ratnagiri. Bhagavadti Temple is one among the ancient Temples in the state of Maharashtra.
The deity is adorned beautifully and the Temple architecture is marvelous. Other deities like 'Veer Vignesh' and 'Ashtadashbhuj' Ganapati are unique for their sculptural works. This Temple is crowded with devotees during Navratri festival, which is one of the sacred festivals celebrated all over India. In Devi Bhagavathi Temple, Navarathri festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and vigour and big yatras are conducted as a part of the festival.

4) Navdurga – Redi : This goddess originally belonged to the town “Gavasi ” (or Gawasi )of Tiswadi District , near Madkai village in Goa. It is really very interesting to know how this goddess reached Kanyale –Redi ( in Maharashtra) from Goa.The original idol was as old as of 10th Century. It is not known who had installed this idol in Gavasi . It is told that About 400 years back , during the 16th Century , Portuguese ruled Goa and destroyed many Hindu Temples and carried out many conversions forcibly .The then devotees of this goddess , who got afraid of these ruthless destruction and conversions to christianity decided to shift this deity from Gavasi. The idol was carried by a Servant on his head along with the other devotees. The devotees had planned to re-install it at Vengurla (in Maharashtra ) ,which was a major port and business centre. On the way , while travelling , they took a halt at Redi for taking some rest. Naturally the idol was kept on the ground. After their rest period was over , they decided to move further towards Vengurla , and hence tried to lift the idol from ground. But to their astonishment , the idol just could not move even an inch from its place , as if magnetised. They tried a lot to move it but just failed. The devotees who strongly believed in “Prasad” , asked for Kaul (order ) from the then Shri Mauli Devi , of Redi. They were curious to know why the goddess was non-coperative in moving further (towards Vengurla ).The Mauli goddess gave an explanation that Devi NavaDurga wished to stay at Kanyale-Redi only and that she should be installed there itself. Obeying the goddess’s orders , the devotees purchased land there and built her Temple there. From then till to date , the goddess is staying in Kanyale peacefully and the devotees have been worshipping her there. It is not known exactly why this goddess is called NavaDurga (having 9 names) but some guess that it could be that there existed perhaps 9 such Temples in Gavasi , and hence the name.

5) Bhagwati – Dhamapur : Bhagwati Temple at Dhamapur is a famous Temple of Goddess Bhagwati situated mid-way between Kudal and Malvan. Malvan is surrounded by various forts and Temples. The Temple in this vicinity and deities residing in it are known as “vigilant or active deity” [Active deity: It is a faith of the devotees that such deities bestow their blessings and fulfill the vows of the devotees]. As a much of respect and joyalty, devotees fulfill the promise made to deity by making “offering” to the deity. It is a sort of “repayment for fulfilling the vow. In local language it is known as "Nawas Phedane". Bhagwati Temple of Dhamapur is one such “active holy place”
This Temple has also become famous because of a legend associate with it. The legend is the big lake in front of the Temple. The lake is known as “Dhamapur lake” or “Lake of Dhamapur”. The legend associates with this lake runs as: In the post on the occasion of marriage, poor villagers of this village (Dhamapur) used to dip the basket full of flowers in the lake. When this basket was later taken out the flower were turned in to the ornaments. The condition was these ornaments were to be returned to lake once the marriage ceremony was over. This legend has made this deity very famous in the surrounding region. Many devotees of goddess Bhagawati still visit the Temple for the “Darshan” Dhamapur is easily accessible from Malvan and Kudal the tehsil places in the district. The devotees as well as tourist should visit this place for the beautiful Temple, the wonderful lake and scenic beauty around it.

6) Mahakali – Adivare : Adivare is a very small settlement but very famous for its Mahakali Temple. It is a small well-maintained Temple, which is a home for 3 goddesses viz. Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.

 7) Mahalaxmi – Kelshi : Located at the base of the Utambar hill, enclosed in a stone wall fortification, this Swayambhu Mahalakshmi Temple was built during the Peshwa regime. It also houses the idols of Lord Ganpati and Lord Shiva. Beautiful, fully blossomed lotus flowers in a pond near the Temple are an enchanting sight to watch! The sanctum lies beneath two huge domes. You can enter the sanctum through three doors. The dense woods of the hill form a picturesque background.

8) Somjai – Shriwardhan : Somjai Devi Mandir is known for its miraculous healing power. It is believed that person with snake bite can be cured when taken to Somjai Devi Mandir. This Mandir is situated at the centre of Shriwardhan city.

9) Shri Sateri Temple (Bilwas): 12 Kms away from malvan, in Bilwas is situated on Masure road. An old and huge Temple at the bottom side of Bilwas mountain is a great attraction of tourist. Shri Sateri is residency deity of Bilwas. This Temple with huge sabhamandap built in 12-13th century. This Temple was surrounded with lake water, so it’s called ‘Jalmandir’. But now days, only mud is spread over in the lake.
Legend behind the Temple : In old days, Bilwas was a part of Masure village. A Lake with clean water spread with greenery on its bank. Cattels were come across there to drink water. One day at noon, two buffalos started fighting in lake, suddenly a buffalo struck the anthill present in the lake, and bleeding started from that anthill. When cattle men knew about it, they got surprised and decided to built a Temple on anthill. The lots of tourist and devotees come from Maharashtra and even from Kerala, Karnataka to worship and pray the diety.

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