Saptashrungi Temple, Vani –
The Temple
The temple lies atop the cliff
with an altitude of 1,230 m. A path has been cut out from the mountains to
form steps that lead to the temple. Now, a motorable road has been built, which
goes up to an altitude of 1150 m. From that place one has to climb only 470
steps to reach the shrine, which takes about 45 minutes. The steps were built
by Umabai Dabhade in
1710 AD. The steps are also seen with figures of Rama, Hanuman, Radha and Krishna, Dattatreya,
tortoise and
several minor shrines dedicated to Durga. There is also a trolley system for
those who are not able to climb the steps.
There is a community hall, a
gallery for devotees to form queues and have orderly darshan of the goddess
immediately after the entrance. The Temple is two storied shrine with the presiding
deity enshrined in the top floor. Presiding Deity is called as Saptshringi. She
is known as the Goddess of Khandesh. The Devi image is carved in a cave at the
base of a sheer scarp rock face. The Devi is said to be Swayambhu
(self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain. She is surrounded
by seven (Sapta in Sanskrit) peaks (shrunga in Sanskrit), hence the name:
Sapta Shrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks).
The iconography of the
Saptashrungi goddess is that of the Mahalakshmi of the Devi Mahatmya. The
image is about 8 feet (2.4 m) tall and appears saffron in colour, as it is
covered with sindoor. The goddess is eighteen-armed (Ashta Dasha
Bhuja). She holds the trishula (trident) of Shiva,
the Sudarsana chakra of Vishnu,
the shankha (conch)
of Varuna,
the flames of the fire-god Agni, the bow and arrow of Vayu, the vajra (thunderbolt)
and ghanta (bell) of Indra, Danda (cudgel)
of Yama, akshamala (string
of beads) of Daksha, kamandalu (water-pot)
of Brahma, the rays of the sun-god Surya, the
sword and shield of Kali, the parashu (axe)
of Vishwakarma,
the wine-cup of Kubera, gada (mace),
lotus, lance and pasha (noose) in her arms.
The Devi is decorated with high
crown (like a papal tiara), and a gold nose-ring and gold
necklaces which are the ornaments used every day. Her attire is in the form of
a robe with a blouse, which are changed with new dresses every day. Before she
is dressed for worship she is religiously given a formal abhisheka or
bath; warm water is reported to be used for two days in a week. The Devi is
decorated with high crown (like a papal tiara), and a silver nose-ring and
necklaces which are the ornaments used every day. Her attire is in the form of
a robe with a blouse, which are changed with new dresses every day.
Before she is dressed for
worship she is religiously given a formal abhisheka or bath; warm water is
reported to be used for two days in a week. The courtyard in front of the
temple has a trident or Trishula decorated with bells and lamps. There are
other precious ornaments of the goddess which are normally kept at Vani in safe
custody but are used to decorate the deity on special festival days. The Devi’s
image is painted bright red with ochre called sindoor, which is considered
auspicious in this region; however, the eyes are not touched by the colour but
are made of white porcelain, which shine very brightly.
The courtyard in front of the
temple has a trident or Trishula decorated with bells and lamps.
There are other precious ornaments of the goddess which are normally kept at
Vani in safe custody but are used to decorate the deity on special festival
days. The Devi's image is painted bright red with ochre called sindoor,
which is considered auspicious in this region; however, the eyes are not
touched by the colour but are made of white porcelain,
which shine very brightly. There is a circumlocutory path used by pilgrims to
do parikrama
around the temple. This path is in an elevation range between 1,230 metres
(4,040 ft) and 1,350 metres (4,430 ft) and is stated to be in steep
rock topography.
The Holy Flag of Goddess Durga
flutters in the north of Saptshringi Garh. Hoisting of the Flag is a privilege
of a particular family. There is a cave on the Mahonidri Mountain while
descending from the temple complex. As per local folklore, it is the place from
where the goddess Saptshringi, after defeating the demons, disappeared. At the foot of the hill, from where one starts climbing
the steps, there is the head of a buffalo, made in stone, which is believed to
be of demon Mahishasura.
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