Panchganga Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Pune Airport (PNQ) is the nearest airport. Old Mahabaleshwar lies about 150 km southwest of Pune city and about 340 km southeast of Mumbai.

• By train

  Wathar Railway Station (WTR) is the nearest station.

Why devotees come here

Panchganga Temple stands in Old Mahabaleshwar, a village in Satara district, Maharashtra. Devotees believe it is the meeting point of five sacred rivers.

Old Mahabaleshwar, also known as Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, is a historical village. Devotees believe five sacred rivers meet at this spot: the Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Savitri and Gayatri. Legend says all five rise from a cow-shaped stone, the gomukh, inside the temple complex. Some say the temple is 4,500 years old, but there is no historical evidence for that claim.

Historical accounts date the temple to the 13th century, when the Seuna king Simhana built it. It was renovated in the 16th and 17th centuries under Chanda Rao More and Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The temple is a symbol of traditional Marathi temple architecture. It has detailed stone pillars, arches and sculptures. The complex holds several shrines and pavilions for different Hindu deities, including Shiva. Inside, the sound of bhajans (devotional songs) and the smell of incense fill the temple.

Festivals

• Every yearMahashivratri

  The temple values this annual celebration, dedicated to Shiva, the most. Devotees come from near and far to offer prayers, carry out rituals, and celebrate with dance and music.

• Through the yearGudi Padwa, Navratri and Diwali

  Also celebrated at the temple with great zeal and gaiety.

Tips for your visit

• Weekdays and early mornings are quieter, so come then if you want fewer crowds.
• Ask at the temple for aarti and puja times, since the official site does not list them.

Questions people ask