I dont know how are things with all those who have been following me on this teerth yatra but as for me , even in my dreams - I find myself visiting these temples and paying my respects to the various shrines..Anyways, Today we will be going to the Khandoba temple in Jejuri which is near Poona in Maharashtra, India.Hope your journey too is as blissful as mine. You can click on the above Aerial picture of Jejuri temple or any of the below pictures to see the larger view. The town is known for being the venue of one of the revered temples in the state, known as the Khandobachi Jejuri. The temple is dedicated to Khandoba, also known as Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand. Khandoba is regarded as the 'God of Jejuri' and is held in great reverence by the Dhangars, one of the oldest tribes in India. Jejuri Temple is situated atop a small hill and because of this height; one has to climb a series of almost 200 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Since the climb is not too difficult and offers amazing views of Saswad and Dive Ghat, one doesn't even come to know when the 200 steps come to an end. Jejuri Khandoba Temple can be easily divided into two separate parts - the Mandap and Gabhara.One can enjoy number of ' Deep Mala ' ( Light Stands of Stones ) while climbing the hill. Jejuri is really popular for its old Deep Mala. A Sword Competition is held every year at the temple, on the occasion of Dusshera. The one who lifts the sword of the temple high up, for the maximum time, is declared the winner.Jejuri is also known as Khandobachi Jejuri or Sonyaachi Jejuri, meaning the place is full of Bhandaara (turmeric powder) all over which is showered by the devotees who visit this place to fetch the blessings of Lord Malhari or Khandobaa . Jejuri also has significant importance from historical point of view. It is said that after years of separation Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj met his father Shahaji Raje on Jejurigad and discussed the strategies against Mughals. This place is blessed by sacred feet of Shivaji Maharaj. This was one of the many temples that had been destroyed and converted into a Mosque by the Muslim aggressors Shivaji Maharaj reconverted it into a temple. Even today, the temple structure displays a mix of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The temple over the hill is pretty. Though a simple one, still looks beautiful The temple is crowded on Sundays and Amavasya Day. You will find people from Dhangar (shepherd) community on a large number visiting this place. You will find many pandits in the temple asking for donations but strictly ignore them as they emotionally blackmail many devotees and the devotees too get fooled easily.
You will also hear people shouting "Yelkot! Yelkot! Jai Malhar" and "Sadanandacha Yelkot" to impress Lord Khandoba. Khandoba is known to be a warrior God sitting on horseback with a sword and a damru. He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra, the patron deity of warrior, farming and herding castes, the hunters and gatherers of the hills and forests. The legends of Khandoba, found in the text Malhari Mahatmya and also narrated in folk songs, revolve around the god's victory over demons Mani-malla and the god's marriages. The idol of Shri Khandoba enshrined inside the temple is simply beautiful. There are three weapons housed in Jejuri Temple, a sword, a damaru and a paral. They are very exquisite and also have historical importance attached to them. It is a tradition and considered as auspicious for the newly wed couple to visit this temple.May Lord Khandoba fill our lives with lots of joy , good health, success, love, contentment and peace of mind. Message from the teachings of Sai baba for 30th September Let Scaling the Heights of Success be Our Goal A mountaineer aims at the highest peak of a mountain. A devotee should aim at reaching the presence of God from which there should be no coming back. In order to achieve any great purpose in life, toil and trouble are inevitable. We have to face problems and tests. It is easier to walk on the earth for every one. So it is to live a care-free life, eating and loitering. But a heroic man strives and struggles to reach a goal, however hazardous the path might be. Once you set your foot on the path to reach your goal, friends and relatives might threaten you of encountering hazards and failures. Moreover, people would get ready to pull you down once you reach the summit of success. We must have complete self-confidence and faith in God in order to accomplish any task we might undertake. Many people fail to achieve anything in their lives and take delight in seeing people flounder in their efforts or bend their heads in shame because of failures. Faith stands them in good stead to those who trust in God. However rugged or thorny the path might be, a man of faith succeeds in reaching the summit of success and indescribable will be the bliss he experiences. It is a state of divine delight. Man's life should not be like that of a frog in a well which leaps and falls down. We should strive to reach the Feet of Sai - the height of illimitable bliss.
