Tulja Bhavani Temple

• The Tulja Bhavani Temple is situated at Tuljapur in Maharashtra and it was build in 12th century CE.This temple is named as the second most Shaktipeeths and it was the family deity of the Bhosale kings.The Sivaji always visited the temple for her blessings and it is believed that the goddess had gifted him a sword named Bhawani sword which helped him in all his way to success.It is said that there lived a sage whose name was Kardam.After his death,his wife Anubuti had performed a penance on the banks of river Mandakini for seeking the help of the Bhavani matha to look after her poor child.While she was performing the penance the demon named Kukur came to disturb her to stop the penance.Soon the Bhavani mata came for helping her and killed the demon.After these the goddess Bh avani is known as the Tulja Bhavani.Thus the temple is located on the hilly area of Bala ghat.Now this place is called as the Tuljapur.

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General InformationThe idol of Tulja Bhawani is self-oriented. The idol is like a three foot high granite image having eight arms each holding separate weapons with one hand holding the head of the demon named Mahishasura. Bhawani is also called in several other names such as Tulaja,Tvarita,Turaja and Amba.There are two entrances for the temple.On the main entrance it shows the name as `Sardar Nimbalkar Pravesh Dwar`.There are two names for each entrances of that one is called as the Raja Shahaji Mahadwar and the other is called as the Rajmata Jijavu main gate.While entering through the first gate we can see the Markandeya Rishi’s temple in the right. There are a few stairs that goes down to the main Tulija Temple.The Yagna Kund is visible in front of the temple while entering.In the floor of the two main gates (Raja Shahaji Mahadwar and Rajmata Jijavu main gate), there are two libraries named, Shree Santh Dnyaneshwar Dharmik Library and Shree Tukaram Dharmik Library . After getting down the stairs, there is Gomukh Theerth on the right side, and Kalakh which is also known as `Kallol Theerth` on the left side. Before the darshan of the Goddess, devotees take a dip here in these theerths. There are also Amruth Kund and Duth temple in the premises of this temple.

Also there is a Siddhi Vinayak temple that is situated on the left side of the main gate.On the right side contains the Aadishakti that is the Aadimata Matangadevi temple .And also a small temple of the goddess Annapurna is there inside the temple. The morning pooja starts early morning and before the pooja starts there will be a Nagarkhana (large drums in a drum house) are played to tell the devotees to reach the temple before pooja starts.It is played three times a day.

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Travel Guide

• Pilgrims can reach the temple by means of road, rail or airways. The nearest railway station is Solapur station which is located located 45 km away.Private bus services are available and pilgrims can travel to this place in their own vehicles.

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