Kaal Bhairav Shrine – Harihareshwar, Maharashtra
Location:- The town of Harihareshwar is located in Raigad district of Maharashtra. This town is named after one of the famous four hills – Harihareshwar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri.
harihareshwar is a famous pilgrimage place situated about 200 km from Mumbai and 150 km from Pune. Another name for Harihareshwar is Dev-Ghar which means abode of God.
Harihareshwar is famous for its temples namely, the ganesh temple, Yogeshwari temple,Brahma and Kaal bhairav temples. In this article we will focus on an ancient Kaal Bhairav temple. Harihareshwar is also known as “Southern Kashi” because of its Shiva temple.
Main Deity:- The main deity here is a ferocious form of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Lord here is the lord of all “Mantra Shastras” (foundations of spiritual life).
Architecture:- The temple is located on the banks of River Savitri which flows through this town. This river meets the Arabian sea at the foot of the hill atop which the temple is situated. The temple must have been built during the Peshwa regime.
There are various ponds on the vicinity that are called “Teertha”. These teerthas are also mentioned in the Puranas. As one climbs down to the rocky foothills of the pradakshina area the first teerth is the Gayatri teerth. The names of these teerthas are – Gayatri, Shukla, Chakra, Naag, Gautam, Kamalendu, Kamdhenu, gauri and Pandav.
The place on the hill where the waves meet the rocks have natural cave like formations. Interestingly, there is also a place which has a “OM” engraved on it. One of these caves also has a Shivaling.
As one enters the temple vicinity towards the left are the Ganesh and hanuman temples. There is also a well here that is believed to have been dug by Brahma Dev himself. This well is called Brahmakoop.
The temple has two deepstambhas (light pillars).
Specialties:- It is believed that the Pandavas broke a huge boulder into two and used the segments of the boulder to reach this temple. The Pandav teertha is the place where pandavs performed “Pind Daan” to honor their father.
Shivaji Mahraj as well as Samarth Ramdas Swami have visited this temple. At the end of the Peshwa regime, from 1818 to 1841 the temple was maintained by the British.
Festival/Prayers:- Lord Shiva is known to drive away evil spirits and fear caused by elements such as devil or time.
The festival of Mahashivrathri is celebrated with grandeur in this Kaalbhairav Temple.
Traditionally, the Kaal Bhairav temple should be visited first before visiting any other temple. There is a short pradakshina route as well as a full pradakshina or the rocky terrain. Devotees are often seen doing pradakshina (circumabulation) of the four hills.
How to Reach:-
By Road – Harihareshwar is around 170 km from Pune and is connected by the highway SH97. State buses run from every major city.
By Train – The nearby railway stations are Mangaon and Roha
By Air – Nearby airport is Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai.
Nearby Places to visit:-
Harihareshwar Beach
Agasti caves
Brahma temple
Ganesh Gally
Location: Harihareshwar, Maharashtra, India
