LORD KHANDOBA OF JAJURI

THE KARHE-PATHAR TEMPLE

After praying to them, we proceed to Karhe- Pather lying far off atop the hill but connected by a path with the usual dipmalas and arches on the way. As we proceed, we stop at spot called Ghodeuddan - a sacred spot from where Khandoba jumped to save one of his devotees. It has a story interesting. Tradition says that there was an ardent devotee who visited this temple daily. As he grew old he felt the ascending too difficult, and one day he actually collapsed on the way. Khandoba, the asritaparijata at once rushed to the spot on his white horse and assured him that he would thenceforward dwell on Gadkot lying lower for his easy worship. So saying he jumped from this spot to reach Gad-kot. The old man hastened to the spot and found two Swayambhu lingas there and began his daily worship with reduced hardship. So practically the Karhe-pather is more ancient than the Gad-kot shrine. After this, we reach Karhe - Pather shrine which is much smaller in size than the one seen. Like its counterpart, it contains a portico, mandap and the garbha griha. Here, the image of Lord Khandoba is installed in a niche on the western wall. It reveals in sitting pose with legs crossed and the hands holding the customary sword, trisula, dhamaru and bowl. It is here on the same pedestal are installed the heads of the demons-Mani and Malla as prayed for. Down below this images lie the two lingas representing the Lord and his consort. As in the Gad-Kot shrine, here also there is Rangashila used for bhajan programmes and also images of Hanuman, Rama, Siva and Hegadi pradhan.

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