Introduction
The Yavateshwar temple, situated in Yewateshwar village of Satara district in Maharashtra, is a sacred place dedicated to Lord Shiva. It stands proudly amidst the Western Ghats, at an altitude of approximately 2500 feet. This temple attracts a lot of visitors and tourists who come to explore nearby areas such as Pune, Mahabaleshwar, and Panchgani. Satara Town, just 5 km away, serves as a convenient base for those seeking spiritual solace at this revered temple.
You can get there by taking the road from Satara to Kas Pathar. This temple is one of the monuments that the Maharashtra government protects and has been officially declared so by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Historical and present Significance
Century/Period: The Yadav Dynasty of Devagiri is said to have built the Yavateshwar Temple during the 13th century CE. It is an old temple with a lengthy past.
Architecture: The temple is designed in the Hemadpanthi style, which is a popular Maharashtra architectural style. The sanctum, antrala (vestibule), sabha mandapa (assembly hall), and mukha mandapa (front hall) are some of its constituent sections.
Lord Yavateshwar, embodied in a Shiva Linga, is the temple’s supreme god. This god is special because it is a Swayambhu Moorthy, which means that it reveals itself.
Nandi Mandapa: Interestingly, the temple has two statues of Nandi in the Nandi mandapa, representing the deity bull and Lord Shiva’s mount. The fact that both Nandi statues face the shrine shows how devoted they are to Lord Shiva.
Other Deities: There are shrines within the temple complex devoted to the goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Kala Bhairavnath. The spiritual and religious atmosphere of the temple is significantly improved by these deities.
Kund (Water Tank): A kund, or water tank, is located behind the temple. It is reachable by a series of steps and is used for ceremonial cleaning and rituals.
There’s a nearby temple dedicated to Kalbhairavnath. The idol of Kalbhairava follows the Dravidian style, and the interior of the temple’s peak is truly remarkable. Both of these temples are surrounded by sturdy stone walls.
In front of the temple, there’s a large lamp, and you can also find other idols within the temple premises. On the western side of the temple, there’s a drinking water tank known as Devatala. The construction of this lake is unique, made of Jambha stone, but unfortunately, there isn’t much water in it at the moment.
On the northern side of the hill, there’s a temple called Pedhyacha Bhairoba dedicated to Bhairoba. Some say that Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj built a temple for Lord Mahadev at Yavateshwar. From here, you can catch a glimpse of Kanher Dam, Sajjangarh, Jarandeshwar, and Merulinga.
The Yavateshwar Temple is a symbol of the region’s architectural and cultural legacy.
The thick bushes surrounding the area create a pleasant atmosphere, with fresh and enjoyable air. From the hill, you can catch a breathtaking view of Satara city and the front side of Ajinkyachtara. Satara City is easily accessible every half an hour by both ST and private vehicles. This place is a favourite pilgrimage spot for Lord Shiva devotees and tourists alike, thanks to its serene ambience and stunning natural beauty.
The Festivals Celebrated at Yavateshwar temple
Every year on Ashwin Amavasya, the villagers from Yavateshwar, Sambarwadi, and Ambedare come together to embark on a pilgrimage to this temple.
The atmosphere is filled with the rhythmic beats of drums and clappers as a grand Palakhi procession takes place. The Palakhi makes its way towards the mango tree, located at a distance from the temple, where it is worshipped. The uniqueness of this tree lies in the fact that it blooms on the day of the pilgrimage and bears mangoes after being worshipped.
Once the tree is worshipped, a devotee of the village god climbs the tree, plucks a branch with mango blossoms, brings it down, and places it in the Palakhi. With the devotee on its shoulders, the Palakhi then continues its journey towards the temple.
It is believed that the yatra (festival) is considered complete when the mango tree blossoms and bears fruit. In the month of Shravan, devotees flock to this temple in large numbers to seek the blessings of Lord Mahadev.
Exploring the Serenity and Tranquility of Yawateshwari Mandir
In the meantime, Yavateshwar is completely blanketed with chilly weather. You can catch a glimpse of Jarandeshwar, Ajinkya Tara, and Merulinga hill ranges from this spot. Instead of taking a left towards Yavateshwar and continuing straight, after approximately 13 to 15 kilometres, we reach the stunning Kaas plateau. This is none other than the renowned Kas Pathar.
The road from Yavateshwar to Kas Pathar is a storehouse of boundless joy. Many kinds and colourful butterflies, trees happily drinking rainwater, numerous new shrubs, and a very pleasant atmosphere. The ghat districts of Pune, Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur are always in this state during monsoon.
Along with all these, many birds like Bhardwaj, Cuckoo, Bulbul, Khandya, Bandya, Kotwal, Robin, and Dayal are supporting them with several sparrows and crows. The atmosphere here is very pleasant during monsoon. Mahadev here is the place of worship for many people. As the fame of this temple is spread across the state, devotees come in large numbers.
Nearest Bus Station
ST and private vehicles can arrive here every 30 minutes from Satara. You have the option to catch a bus from the Satara bus stand. Just inquire about a bus heading towards Yevteshwar temple. The bus will take you directly to the Yavateshwar temple. There is a regular ST service available every half an hour…
Nearest Railway Station
You can catch the Koyna Express from CST in Mumbai and get off at Satara Railway Station, which is the closest railway station. From there, you can easily get a bus at the Satara bus stand.
Nearest Airport
You can reach Yevteshwar temple by taking a bus or cab from Pune Airport, which is located 140 km away.
In which district is Yavateshwar Temple located?
The temple is located in Yewateshwar village in Satara district of Maharashtra.
How far is Yavateshwar Temple from Satara?
The temple is located in Yewateshwar village in Satara district of Maharashtra. Satara Town is 5 km away
Who built the Yevteshwar temple?
The Yadav Dynasty of Devagiri is said to have built the Yavateshwar Temple during the 13th century CE. It is an old temple with a lengthy past.
What is the Speciality of Yavateshwar Temple?
Interestingly, the temple has two statues of Nandi in the Nandi mandapa, representing the deity bull and Lord Shiva’s mount.
For what is Yavateshwar Temple famous for?
The real feature of this god’s mango tree is that on this pilgrimage day, the tree blossoms in one day, and after being worshipped, mangoes are produced.
