Saptashrungi Temple, Vani – The Temple

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.