LORD KHANDOBA OF JAJURI

These two temples-Karhe-Pather and Gad-kot located near Pune have certain strange customs that reflect the height that devotion can reach, and also hold up the mirror to the obnoxious practices resulting in ,the creation of Vaghes and Muralis that caused incalculable harm to the society and dishonour to gods. It is these twin temples that are treasuring up the relics of Lord Siva's heroism, along with sad reminders of blind superstition that reigned supreme till recently as exemplified by the existence of poles, chains and hooks used to redeem the navasas. It is this Khandoba who married a grocer's daughter called Mahlsa; it is this Khandoba that blessed Gangabai with the son-Sawai Madhava Rao for which act of benignity the illustrious Maratha leader Nana Phadnavis donated a hundred thousand rupees; it is to this temple, the Holkar family of Indore through Ahalyabai Tukoji etc., made many endowments, besides making to additions to the temple, or renovating the dilapidated portions; it is this temple visited by Chaitanya Prabhu of Bengal, and it is for glorification of this kshetra, scriptures like Jayadri Mahatmya, Marthand Vijaya and Malhari Mahatmya vie with one another in depicting memorable episodes from the life of Lord Khandoba.

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