Not many are aware of this hidden gem of a temple in Maharashtra. The Kedareshwar Cave Temple is set in the heart of the Sahyadri mountain range and is surrounded in mystery. This hidden gem is dedicated to Lord Shiva and captivates the heart of every visitor with its scenic beauty.
Ancient scriptures Matsya Purana, Agni Purana, Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana have mentioned this mandir. The four pillars of the Kedareshwar Temple are not just mere structural elements but also have symbolism in Hindu mythology. The mystery behind four pillars of Kedareshwar Cave Temple is each pillar here represents four yugas, which are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. Today, this lingam is standing on only one pillar while three other pillars have fallen. The cave and the entire rock above it are standing on just one pillar!! Each of the three broken pillars were broken at the end of each yuga. When the last pillar also breaks, then the Kaliyuga will come to an end!
This is probably the oldest temple in the world!!
As per locals, the temple was built by the Kalachuri dynasty inside the Harishchandragad fort and temple during the 6th century. One of the greatest sages, Changdev stayed here and wrote the famous scripture Tatvasaar in the 14th century. There are three caves close to the temple. One of the caves here is home to a 5-foot Shiva Lingam. Towards the right of Harishchandreshwar temple, there is the huge cave of Kedareshwar (see picture bellow), in which there is a big Shiva Linga, which is completely surrounded by water. Its height from the base is 5 feet (1.5 meters), and the water is waist-deep. It is quite difficult to reach the Shiva Linga because the water is ice-cold. There are sculptures carved out in the cave. In the monsoon it is not possible to reach this cave, as a huge stream flows across the way. Actually this is the origin of River Mangalganga.
It is a hidden natural gem in Maharashtra. It is not any ordinary religious site but is housed within a naturally formed cave. The cave’s entrance is narrow and leads to a gorgeous sight within. As visitors venture deeper into the cave, they’ll find a beautiful Shiva Lingam representing Lord Shiva. It is believed that the lingam here is self-manifested.
Water seeps into this temple from all the four walls on an everyday basis. The flow of water seepage increases during the monsoons and it becomes the origin of the river Mangalganga which flows out of the temple cave & down the mountain. In summer the water is cold and in winter it is warm!!
Reaching the Kedareshwar Cave Temple is an adventure in itself as it is situated within the sprawling Harishchandragad fort complex. To access this divine abode, trekkers must embark on a journey through the rugged terrains and lush landscapes of the Western Ghats.
How to reach:
By air: you can fly to directly from Mumbai
By road: From Thane District: One has to board the bus for Nagar from Kalyan & alight at ‘Khubi Phata’. From there we reach the village of Khireshwar by bus or private vehicle. This village is 7 km from the foothills of the fort.
From Pune District: There is a daily bus from Shivajinagar ST stand (Pune) to Khireswar village.
From Ahmednagar District: One has to board the bus for Nashik or Mumbai & alight at Ghoti village. From Ghoti, we have to board another bus to Sangamner via Malegaon & alight at Rajur village. From here, 2 ways diverge to the fort. 1) From Rajur, one has to board the bus or a private vehicle to the village of Pachanai. From here, the way is straight to the topmost point. 2) Recently, the way from Rajur to kothale (Tolar Khind) has been made available. From Tolar Khind (Tolar valley), the temple is about 2–3 hours by walking. 3) from kotul to kothale bus facilities available way to tolar khind every hour bus going towards kothale, private vehicles also available on this route.
