Friends let me take you to Barshi today, a small village in Solapur. Barshi is famous for the Bhagwant temple. which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
So what is unique about Shri Bhagwant temple ?
The uniqueness of this temple is that it is the only Shri Vishnu temple in India that has Shri Vishnu’s name as Bhagawant. In the year 1245 A.D., the temple was built in the Hemadpanthi style.
Shri Bhagwant temple architecture
The temple has four entrances from all four directions, with the main entrance facing east.
In front of Garbhagraha, there is one Garudakhamb (Dwajasthambam). The main deity, Shri Bhagwant, is shown in black stone with Shanku (Conch), Chakra, and Gada in his hands with a depiction of devotee king Ambrish beneath his right hand.
Ma Lakshmi’s idol is at the back side of Lord Vishnus idol.
Shivlinga is there on the forehead and marks of footsteps of Bhrigu Rishi are seen on the chest of the diety.
Old documents show concessions issued by Shri Nanasaheb Peshve in 1760, the East India Company in 1823, and the British Government in 1784.
A Panch Committee oversees temple administration. Badves perform temple rituals on a daily basis.
Kakada Arti, Nitya pooja, and Mahapooja are performed in the morning, Dhuparti in the evening, and Shejarti at night.
A large number of devotees attend during the Ekadashi of Chaitri, Maghi, Aashadi, and Kartikai (Hindu Months).
During the Aashadi and Kartikai Ekadashi, the deity Bhagwant, riding on Garuda, is paraded around the entire town. Every full moon, a Chabina is taken out.
Lord Bhagawanta awakens every morning at 5.00 a.m. with the Kakad arati adorations, accompanied by the sound of the sacred instruments.
They bring sugar, fruits, milk, curds, and butter as offerings. Shri Dattatreya Krishnath Patil is the traditional Kakad of Bhagawant Mandir.
The priest is adamant about upholding this tradition. Shri Bhaurao Tatya Patil was the first to take on the role of Bhagawant Kakad, a tradition that has been passed down through the centuries.
The Lord is first worshipped with ghee lamps during Kakad arati, and then the priest changes the cloth and offerings of fruits and sugar are made.
Warm water is used to wash the Lord’s Lotus feet. A pancharati is conducted after incense is waved and milk is served in a silver pitcher.
Following that, Shri Ganapati and Shri Varuna are worshipped by blowing the conch. A dab of butter is placed in Lord’s mouth by the priest.
Following that, he is anointed with milk, curds, ghee, sugar, and honey. Lord Bhagawanta is given a bath using water from his silver pail.
This water is regarded equivalent in merit to Bhagirathi and is showered over the assembled devotees.
The devotees then perform the karpur arati and sing hymns and praises. After the Lord has been cleansed and dressed, he is offered a khichadi offering. The local business community is taking care of this.
In the afternoon, the town’s Brahmins, such as Deshpande, Joshi, Patil, and Deshmukh, perform naivedya/repast for Lord Bhagawanta.
The priests bring this from the individual families’ homes. On events like as Gudi Padva, Dasera, and Diwali, many offerings are presented to the God.
How to reach Shri Bhagwant temple?
- Nearest airport is Pune airpport and you can take cabs or public transport from there.
- Barshi Railway Station falls on the Kurduwadi-Latur route of central railway.
- Temple is around 70kms from Solapur. Buses ply every hour from Solapur to Barshi and vice versa.
Other temples to visit in/around Solapur
There are many other places you can visit in Solapur. Please click here for list of places.
For all other temples of Mahrastha – click here
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