Kasheli, a small village in Rajapur Taluka of Ratnagiri district is famous for a temple dedicated to the Sun god. The temple is known as Shri Kanakaditya Temple . ( Please do not confuse with Kasheli in Thane . Mumbai ).
Kasheli is at a distance of approximately 30 kms from both Ratnagiri and Rajapur.
Shri Kanakaditya Temple History
The temple has some historical background. It is said that the deity of God Aditya (one of the names of God Sun) was brought from Prabhas Pattan Sun temple before 800 years.The black stone idol of the Sun God is housed in laterite and mud stone construction.
There are many legends surrounding this temple.
Once upon a time, a boatman was sailing from Veraval port to the south. Aditya’s deity was also on the same boat. The boat had halted automatically while sailing through the Kasheli region. The boatman made numerous attempts to sail the boat into the sea. But he didn’t do it. Then he planned to place God Aditya’s deity near the Kaseli port.
He placed the deity to a dark cave (approximately 400 sq. feet). The boat then started moving.
Kanaka, a famous devotee of God Sun, lived in Kasheli. She was enlightened about the divinity by God Sun.
Then, with the help of the locals, she formally built a modest temple of Aditya, which became known as Kanakaditya. “Devachi Kholi” (God’s room) is the name of the cave.
Shri Kanakaditya Temple is very famous temple in Ratnagiri district and is a must visit temple if you are on a trip to Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra.
It is said that the King Shilahar of Panhalgad (a hill fort) had donated kasheli village to Shri Govind Bhat Bagawat in the service of Brahmins. Govind Bhat was the worshiper of Kanakaditya deity.
Progeny of Govind Bhat are the current care takers of the temple.
Festivals celebrated at Temple
- Five days festival of Ratha-saptami is celebrated every year.
- Spiritual programs like Kirtan, Pravachan, Aarati, Palakhi etc are organized during the festival period.
Shri Kanakaditya Temple timings
Morning: 5.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM
Ratnagiri Sun Temple Address
Surya Mandir Road,
Kasheli,
Rajapur Taluka,
Ratnagiri District,
Maharashtra – 416707.
How to reach Rathagiri Sun temple ?
The google maps location link -> https://goo.gl/maps/CrcpXMqPgMeFaWeL9
- Around 370 Kms from Mumbai via NH66
- Ratnagiri has its own railway station and is well connected
- Nearby Airports to Ratnagiri
- Ratnagiri Airport , Ratnagiri. approx 9 kms.
- Kolhapur Airport ,Kolhapur. approx 99 kms.
- Sindhudurg Airport , Sindhudurg. approx 110 kms.
- Belgaum Airport , Belgaum. approx 179 kms.
- Pune Airport , Pune. approx 184 kms.
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