West India · Maharashtra
Jejuri, Maharashtra
Sources: wikimedia
Before you go
Khandoba's seat, famous for turmeric (bhandara) showers -- the 'Sonyachi Jejuri' golden effect; ~50 km from Pune.
About Jejuri
- Hills
Where it is
Jejuri is a temple town in the Purandar taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra, south-east of Pune, where the Khandoba temple crowns a hill rising from the Deccan plateau.
History
Khandoba, a form of Shiva revered by farmers, herders and warriors across the Deccan, has been worshipped at Jejuri since medieval times. The hilltop temple, reached by a long stairway lined with arches and lamp pillars, grew under Maratha patrons, and Khandoba became the family deity of many Maharashtrian households.
People
Jejuri is a Marathi-speaking town whose shops sell turmeric, coconuts and offerings to pilgrims climbing the hill. Khandoba is especially revered by the Dhangar shepherd community, and newly married couples traditionally come to seek his blessing.
Known for
- The Khandoba temple on Jejuri Gad
- Turmeric-showered festivals of golden Jejuri
- The Somvati Amavasya festival
- Arun Kolatkar's poem sequence Jejuri
Did you know?
Arun Kolatkar's poem sequence Jejuri, written about a visit to the temple town, won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1977.
Shrines and sites
- Khandoba Temple on the hill
- Kadepathar
Traditions
- Hindu
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.