Mankeshwar Temple, Zodge, Maharashtra

Mankeshwar Temple, Zodge, Maharashtra

Mankeshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Zodge Village in Malegaon Taluk in Nashik District in Maharashtra, India. This temple is situated at the foothill of Jhatumba hill. The temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

Mankeshwar Temple:

As per legend, Hemadapanta (1259 – 1274 CE), the prime minister of Seuna Yadava Dynasty of Devagiri chose to build the Mankeshwar Temple at this place due to the presence of the revered saint Jhotinga Baba in the hill. He also felt that the temple would be well protected from natural elements if it was built at the base of the hill. The stone for this temple was quarried from the hill to the south of this temple. A big pit can be seen to substantiate this claim.

Jhatumba / Jhotinga Hill:

This temple is situated at the foothill of Jhatumba hill. The hill is named after a Nathpanthiya saint named Jhatumba / Jhotinga. It is said that he lived in the mountain during ancient times and defended the village on a white horse. After his death, a temple was built in memory of him in this hill. Thus, the hill came to be called as Jhatumba / Jhotinga Hill. The village might have derived its present name from the name of this hill.

History

The temple is believed to be built in 12^th century CE by Seuna Yadava Dynasty of Devagiri. The present village of Zodage is situated close to the temple. It was actually situated on the opposite side in the ancient past but had been shifted to current location due to the plague ravaged India. The village deity, Lord Maruti is still can be seen in its original location. The entire village is fortified with access from the north and east. The fort had been lost completely except a Maruti temple and a hero stone. The village reached its zenith during the reign of Marathas. It is said that Afzal Khan, the general of the Bijapur Adil Shahi’s had desecrated this temple on his way to the Konkan.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/04/mankeshwar-temple-zodge-temple.html

Festivals

A big fair (Jatra) is held every year during the month of Magha on 13^th day. Huge number of devotees gather here during the Jatra.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 20 Kms from Malegaon Bus Stand, 23 Kms from Malegaon, 29 Kms from Dhule Railway Station, 31 Kms from Dhule, 113 Kms from Nashik Airport, 129 Kms from Nashik and 293 Kms from Mumbai. The temple is situated on Mumbai – Agra National Highway.

Location