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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. This God is avtaar of Guard
(Bhairav). Jotiba killed demon Ratnasur who troubled
civilians. With this incidence name of village was Wadi
Ratnagiri. Instead of taking such long name public accepted
this place as the name of God ‘Jotiba’ and this name became
famous.
It is situated to the north of Kolhapur in the deep,
surrounded by green mountains and black precipices. The
original temple was built 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 (appr. In Mar-Apr.) 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.
Decorated bamboo sticks called as SASAN KATHI are attraction
of this fair. Not less than 2000 sticks are traditionally
involved in fair. Sequence of these sticks is a convention. It
is not changeable. A colorful procession of SASAN KATHI is
main attraction of fair. Devotees from abroad and various
parts of country take part in this procession.
Except this fair there are some other celebrations in temple.
Sunday is a preferable visiting day. Naturally it is a
crowded. Devotees from local areas prefer other weekly days
except Sunday. On the full moon day a Palkhi procession is
carried out.
There is other temple of goddess ‘Yamai’ on the northern part
of hill. She is believed to be sister of Jotiba.
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.
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Other Attractions:
Mahalami Temple
||
Jotiba
||
Tryamboli (Temblai)
||
Kashi Vishveshwar
||
Bahubali
||
Katyani Devi
||
Khidrapur
||
Kaneri
Math
||
Shankaracharya
Cloister (Math)
||
Panhala
||
Vishalgad
||
Shalini
Palace
|| New Palace ||
Bhavani Mandap
||
Town Hall
||
Rankala
||
Narsinhwadi
||
Kotiteertha
||
Panchganga
Ghat
|| Dajipur Sanctuary
|| Shivaji University |
