| Temples & Legends Of Maharastra |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
KHANDOBA - JEJURI |
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| In the western
wall of the garbhagriha is a niche in which there is a seated image of Khandoba.
Iconographically it is a noteworthy piece. It is nearly three feet in height with legs
crossed. In its our hands are held the customary sword, trishula, damaru and bowl. Of
these the bowl is of the same block of stone while the sword is of steel and the trishula
and damaru in brass and are removable. On either side of the image are female attendants
known as Balai and Jogeshvari. On the pedestal of this seated image are carved two heads,
on the right that of Mani and on the left Malla. In front of this image, on the floor
level are the lings of Khandoba and Mhalsa As in the Gad-Kot temple here also exists a
pair of brass images of Khandoba and Mhalsa. In front of the temple is a giant tortoise
also used as a rangashila like that in the temple on the Gad-Kot. Around are small shrines
of Hanuman, Rama, Shiva, and Hegadi Pradhan. The tale about this being the older of the two shrines might be true or might not be so, but one thing is certain. From the times either structural or written records are available, it was the deity on the Gad Kot that enjoyed primacy over its older rival.
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