Mankeshwar

Mankeshwar is a small village in Bhoom Tehsil, Osmanabad district of Maharashtra, India. It is famous for its SHIV temple and Goddess Satwai Devi temple. Shiv temple is among one of the famous category of temples called "Hemandpanti mandirs". This shiv mandir is built in one black rock which has nice beautiful art in it. There is a Shiv Ling in temple which below the ground level and you have to get down by stairs for darshan. There is a river flowing around the temple which make a curve around temple. In monsoon this is a beautiful scene where you see greenery, blue river water and peaceful temple.

This temple has witnessed Islamic iconoclasm on multiple occasions. When the general of the Bijapur Sultanate - Afzal Khan - was sent to capture Shivaji, this is one of the several temples he destroyed on his march into Konkan where Shivaji was ensconced (other notable temples destroyed/desecrated at this time were Tulza Bhavani, and Pandharpur).

Later, when Aurangzeb started destroying temples during the 27 year Mughal-Maratha war, this temple was also affected so lot of art, statues on wall are in damaged state. Its a saying that there were 7 temples around main like this but all were destroyed. There are rocks and statues lying around this temple that suggests it.

Goddess Satwai devi temple is beside Shiv mandir. People around this village follows a tradition called "Jawal". This is a ritual in which a baby boy up to the age of 2–3 years is brought here. Hairs of the baby boy are cut and 'bali' of a male goat is given in devotion to the Satwai devi. Meal from the same male goat is prepared here and first served as a naivydya to goddess and to all the invitees. People have holistic faith on goddess.

Every year in marathi Chitra month celebrations are done where everybody from village come in temple and celebrate some ancient traditions.

How to Get there

• Nearest airport:Pune
• Railway Station: Barshi (23 KM).
• S.T. bus come here. You can get a bus from Bhoom or Barshi and reach here within 45 min.

References

http://www.osmanabadonline.com/mankeshwar/

External links