Jyotiba Temple
This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This is also called Kedarnath and Wadi Ratnagiri. Mythology says, Jotiba helped Mahalaxmi in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain. He belongs to the Nath cult. He was born in the hands of Vimalmbuja, the wife of the sage Pougand, on Chaitra Shukla 6.
It is situated to the north of Kolhapur in the deep, surrounded by green mountains and black precipices. The original temple was build in 1730 by Navajisaya. It is 330′ high from sea-level. The interior is ancient and the idol is four-handed. There are other temples and Light-towers. On Chaitra Poornima a big fair is held, when lacs of devotees come with tall (Sasan) sticks. Due to scattering of ‘Gulal’ the whole mountain is turned pink. Sunday is sacred to Jotiba. In the last few years much improvement has been made by the people and on the government level. A new scheme Plaza Garden has been under taken.
Situated at a height of 3124 feet above sea level the Jyotiba temple is dedicated to Jyotiba (Dattatreya), which was formed by the amalgamation of the jyotis (souls) of three gods- Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Legend says that the three gods took the form of Jyotiba to destroy the evil Ratnasur. Jyotiba Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This is also known as Kedarnath and Wadi Ratnagiri. Mythology also states that Jyotiba helped Mahalakshmi in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain, and belongs to the Nath cult. He was born in the hands of Vimalmbuja, the wife of the sage Pougand, on Chaitra Shukla 6th.
Navajiyasa built the original temple in 1730. The interiors are ancient, the idol is fourhanded. There are other temples and Light-towers. On Chaitra Poornima a gala fair is held, where lakhs of devotees come with tall `Sasan` (sticks). The scattering of `gulal` (vermilion) renders the whole mountain pink. Sunday is considered sacred to Jyotiba. The governmental improvements are clearly visible with the Plaza Garden plan in the pipeline.
Navajiyasa built the original temple in 1730. The interiors are ancient, the idol is fourhanded. There are other temples and Light-towers. On Chaitra Poornima a gala fair is held, where lakhs of devotees come with tall `Sasan` (sticks). The scattering of `gulal` (vermilion) renders the whole mountain pink. Sunday is considered sacred to Jyotiba. The governmental improvements are clearly visible with the Plaza Garden plan in the pipeline.
Location:Kolhapur.
How to Reach:
Pune to Kolhapur 230 km
Mumbai to Kolhapur 379 km
Hyderabad to Kolhapur 551 km
Bangalore to Kolhapur 614 km
Ahmedabad to Kolhapur 912 km
The Kolhapur railway station, Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus, is connected with many cities in India including Mumbai (Mahalaxmi Exp), Pune (Maharashtra Exp), Bangalore (Ranichennama Ex) and Ahmedabad (Ahmedabad Exp). Direct trains are available from Kolhapur to Delhi (Nizamuddin Exp) as well.
Kolhapur has a domestic Airport at Ujlaiwadi which is connected to Mumbai International airport. Airport is located at a distance of 13 km from heart of the Kolhapur city
Kolhapur is well connected by state owned public transport buses. Deluxe luxury buses are available from major cities like Mumbai (379 km) and Pune (225 km) to Kolhapur.
