Ekvira Devi Temple Karla

Getting there

• By air

  Pune International Airport is about 64 km from Lonavala, the town near the temple. D.B Patil International Airport in Navi Mumbai is about 65 km from Lonavala.

• By train

  Lonavala, the town near the temple, is a major stop on the railway line connecting Mumbai and Pune.

• By road

  Lonavala lies on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and the road from Karla Phata leads to the temple.

Why devotees come here

Ekvira Devi Temple stands on a hill beside the Karla Caves, near Lonavala in Maharashtra. Ekvira is regarded as a form of Parvati, and devotees throng the temple during Navaratri. The Karla Caves are protected by the archaeological department.

Ekvira is regarded as a form of Parvati, Yamai and Renuka devi, and her name is also spelled Ekveera. The full name of the temple is Shri Ekvira Devi Paitha Temple. It is believed that she has magical powers.

The complex originally had three similar shrines built in a row, all facing west. Only the central and southern shrines are preserved in full, and the rest survive only on plan. The maha-mandapa, varsha-mandapa and gopura stand in front of the shrines, and sixteen shrines of additional deities surround them. The main deity Ekvira is accompanied by a murti of Jogeshvari Devi.

The temple is on a hill, and about 500 steps lead up to it. Every year Kolis pay respect to Ekvira and celebrate their festival in the Karla Caves, which the archaeological department now protects.

Festivals

• Navaratri and Chaitra NavratraNavaratri and Chaitra Navratra

  Devotees throng the temple on all occasions of both festivals.

• Chaitra Shuddha SaptamiPalanquin procession

  Ekvira is carried in a palanquin procession on the Karla hill on this day. The Marathi name is palkhi sohla.

Tips for your visit

• The Karla Caves surround the temple, and the archaeological department protects them.
• The main deity Ekvira is accompanied by a murti of Jogeshvari Devi.

Questions people ask