Mahur, Maharashtra
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Mahur or Mahurgad is a town and religious place in
Nanded district Nanded district (Marathi pronunciation: Help:IPA/Marathi, aːn̪d̪eɖ is a districts of Maharashtra, district of Maharashtra state in central India. The city of Nanded is the district headquarters. Officer Members of Parliament *Prataprao ...
of
Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
. Mahur is the birthplace of
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
God
Dattatreya Dattatreya ( sa, दत्तात्रेय, ), Dattā or Dattaguru, is a paradigmatic Sannyasi (monk) and one of the lords of yoga, venerated as a Hindu god. In Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya ...
. Dattatreya parents
Atri Atri ( sa, अत्रि) or Attri is a Vedic sage, who is credited with composing numerous hymns to Agni, Indra, and other Vedic deities of Hinduism. Atri is one of the Saptarishi (seven great Vedic sages) in the Hindu tradition, and the on ...
Rishi and Sati
Anasuya Anasuya () is an ascetic, and the wife of Sage Atri in Hinduism. She is the daughter of Devahuti and Sage Kardama in Hindu texts. In the ''Ramayana'', she lives with her husband in a small hermitage on the southern border of the Chitrakuta for ...
Mata lived here. Brahmadev, Vishnudev and Lord Shiva once got a news about Anusaya Mata that there is no one more pious and pure as her. To test her piousness they arrived under the garb of asking Alm (bhiksha). Near Mahur, There is a Pious confluence of River Penganga and River Pus at Hiwara Sangam village, Tal. Mahagaon
Vidarbha Vidarbha (Pronunciation: Help:IPA/Marathi, id̪əɾbʱə is a geographical region in the east of the Indian state of Maharashtra and a Proposed states and union territories of India#Maharashtra, proposed state of central India, comprising th ...
, from where the river flows northward. Penganga river forms a border between Vidarbha and Marathwada. Mahur falls just about 3kms inside Marathwada due to river banks. There are three mountains in Mahur. The first one is having Renuka Mahar devi mata Temple, who is mother of the god Parshuram. Other two are called Datta Shikhar and Atri Anasuya Shikar Temples. Datta Shikhar is highest of all. Mahur has a sacred temple to Renuka Mata, which is considered one of the three and half
Shakti Peethas The Shakti Pitha or the Shakti Peethas ( sa, शक्ति पीठ, , ''seat of Shakti'') are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-centric denomination in Hinduism. The shrines are dedicated to various fo ...
(temples) in the state. A big fair is held here every year on the occasion of
Vijayadashami Vijayadashami ( sa, विजयदशमी, Vijayadaśamī, translit-std=IAST), also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu ...
. Sahasrarjun attacked Renuka Mahar Devi while somewhere in today's
Telangana Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...
, for he wanted to grab the sacred
Kamdhenu Kamadhenu ( sa, कामधेनु, , ), also known as Surabhi (, or , ), is a divine bovine-goddess described in Hinduism as the mother of all cows. She is a miraculous cow of plenty who provides her owner whatever he desires and is often ...
cow — this cow has the divine power to fulfill wishes. When Renuka Mahar Devi refused to him that saying asking gift of your own choice by the guest visitor is uncalled. He attacked her & injured her. She dies in this & when Lord Parshuram knew about it, he went berserk. Then the elderly people pacified him & asked him to do the last rites in Mahur under Dattatreya's guidance. Then he was told by him that Mahar devi Renuka Mata will appear on first mountain for you to worship. This became the famous Mahar Devi Renuka Mata temple. The "Matru Tirth" (means sacred place for Mother's worship) Place on this Mountain is the one which is where today stands a lake, is "Antyeshti Sthan" (Means place where last rites were performed). There are many other temples in Mahur like Rishi Jamdagni Mahar Temple, Lord Parshuram Mahar Temple, Kalika Mata Temple, Devdevshwar Temple, and also the Caves called Pandav Leni. There is Fort in Mahur. This was built by Gond kingdom of Chandrapur. This fort is quite large, but very few visitors travel inside.


History

Mahur finds mention in the ancient '' Devi Bhagawatam'' as "Matripura" or "Matapur", where it is mention as one of the famous pilgrimages. In ''Devi Gita'' the final and most important chapter of the text, it is mentioned as one of the important places of
Shakti In Hinduism, especially Shaktism (a theological tradition of Hinduism), Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; lit. "Energy, ability, strength, effort, power, capability") is the primordial cosmic energy, female in aspect, and rep ...
worship:
"
Devi Devī (; Sanskrit: देवी) is the Sanskrit word for 'goddess'; the masculine form is ''deva''. ''Devi'' and ''deva'' mean 'heavenly, divine, anything of excellence', and are also gender-specific terms for a deity in Hinduism. The conce ...
spoke:... I am now telling something out of My affection to My
Bhakta ''Bhakti'' ( sa, भक्ति) literally means "attachment, participation, fondness for, homage, faith, love, devotion, worship, purity".See Monier-Williams, ''Sanskrit Dictionary'', 1899. It was originally used in Hinduism, referring to d ...
s... Matripura or "Matapur" in the Sahyadri mountain; here the Devi Renuka or Matapur Niwasini Jagdamba Devi dwells..."
Appasaheb Deshmukh was the ruler of Mahur sarkar and the sardar of gond King in the 12th century AD. Bharat Ratn Nanaji Deshmukh was his descendant.


Raje Udaram Deshmukh of Mahur

Raje *In Maharashtra, Chatrapati Shivaji Raje was addressed as ''King'' or ''Raje''. Also, other clans of the Maratha community put Raje before their original clan name; Raje Shirke, Raje Mahadik, Raje Kadam, Raje Chalukya, Raje Jadhavrao etc or used ...
Udaram, a Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin from Washim was the Jagirdar of Mahur. He was initially a sardar in Nizamshahi Kingdom along with Sardar Lakhuji Jadhavrao, father of Rajmata Jijau Saheb. In year 1616, both Lakhuji and Udaram deserted Malik Ambar to join Mughals. Maratha Sardars were desired by both sides for their light infantry and cavalry. Both Sardars changed sides according to their interests. Raje Udaram was a good friend of Sardar Raje Lakhuji Jadhavrao. He died in 1632 AD, on the foothills of Daulatabad fort. Later Pandita Sawitribai or Rai Bagan, his wife, was the ruler of Mahur. There is a story of her valour. After death of her husband Raje Udaram-Deshmukh of the Mahur in Varhad province, who was in Mughal services, she took sword and joined Mughal services. After her son Jagjivanrao's death she continued to manage her
jagir A jagir ( fa, , translit=Jāgir), also spelled as jageer, was a type of feudal land grant in the Indian subcontinent at the foundation of its Jagirdar (Zamindar) system. It developed during the Islamic rule era of the Indian subcontinent, start ...
along with her grandson, Baburao. She was maintaining the
Jagir A jagir ( fa, , translit=Jāgir), also spelled as jageer, was a type of feudal land grant in the Indian subcontinent at the foundation of its Jagirdar (Zamindar) system. It developed during the Islamic rule era of the Indian subcontinent, start ...
s in
Berar Berar may refer to: *Vidarbha, the eastern region of Maharashtra Province, India, historically known as Berar *Berar Sultanate (1490–1596), one of the Deccan sultanates *Berar Subah (1596–1724), a Subah of the Mughal Empire *Berar Province (1724 ...
province, viz., Mahur,
Pusad Pusad is a city in the Yavatmal district located in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state of India. It is named after the Pus river. Its ancient name was 'Pushpawanti'. Pusad is second largest city of yavatmal district. For last 20 years Pusad ...
,
Washim Washim (Vatsagulma) is a city and a Municipal Council in Washim district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Washim is the district headquarters of Washim district. Etymology Washim was known earlier as Vatsagulma and it was the seat of powe ...
,
Malegaon Malegaon is a city and a municipal corporation in Nashik District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated on the bank of Mosam River. History Malegaon (previously Maligaon G.N. Wright, 1837. See entry for MULLIGAUM, p216.) at the co ...
, Umarkhed, etc.
Aurangzeb Muhi al-Din Muhammad (; – 3 March 1707), commonly known as ( fa, , lit=Ornament of the Throne) and by his regnal title Alamgir ( fa, , translit=ʿĀlamgīr, lit=Conqueror of the World), was the sixth emperor of the Mughal Empire, ruling ...
entrusted this Mahur-queen with the responsibility to quell the rebellion of Sardar Herchandrai. Savitri thereupon readied herself for the encounter. Taking the army from the Mahur-hills she proceeded towards the warfield. She tied her choli (bodice) to the flag-pole and exhorted to the army: “I am marching on the army, making flag of choli. "You are, after all men! You ought to be more valorous than me! Fight with full might! Kill the enemy! Win the battle! Protect the honour of your sister!" this call by her really kindled fire in the minds of the soldiers and they fought relentlessly. She also personally fought with all her might and consequently Harchandrai was defeated. For her valour during the war of accession in 1658, she was given an honorary name '' Rai Bagan'' by Aurangzeb. The meaning of ''Rai Bagan'' is ''Royal Tigress''. She fought on side of Kartalab Khan in Battle of Umberkhind. She called
Shivaji Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adils ...
A Lion and advised Kartalab khan to surrender himself before Shivaji. Raje Udaram was a title conferred by Shahajahan to the family. Hence, all the descendants of Udaram called themselves Raje Udaram. Peshwas, in early 18th century questioned the title. But later permission was given to use the title. In 1802, the Jahagirdari was divided into six sons. And each keeping the title called himself Raje Udaram Deshmukh.


The Renuka Devi Temple as a Shakti Peeth

The temple is considered as a revered shrine for the
Shaktism Shaktism ( sa, शाक्त, , ) is one of several major Hindu denominations, wherein the metaphysical reality is considered metaphorically a woman and Shakti ( Mahadevi) is regarded as the supreme godhead. It includes many goddesses, al ...
sect, because of the above told mythology and also because the Shrine is a
Shakti Peetha The Shakti Pitha or the Shakti Peethas ( sa, शक्ति पीठ, , ''seat of Shakti'') are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-centric denomination in Hinduism. The shrines are dedicated to various fo ...
. It is believed that Renuka Mata, (the wife of Sage Jamadagni) was decapitated by her own son
Parashurama Parashurama (), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism. He is believed to be one of the ''Chiranjeevis'' (Immortals), who will appear ...
and her head fell here. Renuka was later given rebirth as a boon by Sage Jamadagni to his son
Parashurama Parashurama (), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism. He is believed to be one of the ''Chiranjeevis'' (Immortals), who will appear ...
. The temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha because of ''the mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation''.
Shakti Peethas The Shakti Pitha or the Shakti Peethas ( sa, शक्ति पीठ, , ''seat of Shakti'') are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-centric denomination in Hinduism. The shrines are dedicated to various fo ...
are Durga or Adiparashakti shrines that are believes to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of
Sati Sati or SATI may refer to: Entertainment * ''Sati'' (film), a 1989 Bengali film by Aparna Sen and starring Shabana Azmi * ''Sati'' (novel), a 1990 novel by Christopher Pike *Sati (singer) (born 1976), Lithuanian singer *Sati, a character in ''Th ...
Devi, when Lord
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
carried it and wandered. There are 51 Shakti Peeth linking to the 51 alphabets in Sanskrit. The Shakti of Mahur is addressed as Renuka Devi. Most of the Shakti Peetha is associated with a
Kalabhairava Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव ) or Kala Bhairava is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva associated with annihilation. In Trika system ''Bhairav ...
shrine.


Geography

All three important temples — Renuka Mata Temple, Lord Dattatreya Temple and Anusaya Mata Temple — are built on three mountain ranges. Mahur is surrounded by jungles rich with trees and wild life. There is
teakwood Teak (''Tectona grandis'') is a tropical hardwood tree species in the family Lamiaceae. It is a large, deciduous tree that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. ''Tectona grandis'' has small, fragrant white flowers arranged in dense clusters (panicl ...
trees everywhere.
Peafowl Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera '' Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl are refe ...
,
deer Deer or true deer are hoofed ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. The two main groups of deer are the Cervinae, including the muntjac, the elk (wapiti), the red deer, and the fallow deer; and the Capreolinae, including the reindeer ...
, black bears,
panthers Panther may refer to: Large cats *Pantherinae, the cat subfamily that contains the genera ''Panthera'' and ''Neofelis'' **''Panthera'', the cat genus that contains tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards. ***Jaguar (''Panthera onca''), found in Sout ...
are very common in the jungle. On one of the mountains is the ancient Mahurgad Fort constructed in the 12th century. Mahur was an important fort in ancient
Berar Berar may refer to: *Vidarbha, the eastern region of Maharashtra Province, India, historically known as Berar *Berar Sultanate (1490–1596), one of the Deccan sultanates *Berar Subah (1596–1724), a Subah of the Mughal Empire *Berar Province (1724 ...
history. It became a separate province in 1478 during the
Bahmani Sultanate The Bahmani Sultanate, or Deccan, was a Persianate Sunni Muslim Indian Kingdom located in the Deccan region. It was the first independent Muslim kingdom of the Deccan,
. It was one of the Sarkars (then district) with 20 parganas (towns) in
Berar Subah The Berar Subah was one of the Subahs (imperial first-level provinces) of the Mughal Empire, the first to be added to the original twelve, in Dakhin (Deccan, central India) from 1596 to 1724. It bordered Golconda, Ahmandagar (both conquered 1 ...
(state) in
Akbar Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar (25 October 1542 – 27 October 1605), popularly known as Akbar the Great ( fa, ), and also as Akbar I (), was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Hum ...
's rule.


Holy Attractions

The main attractions in Mahur are Matapur Niwasini Shri Jagdamba Devi Temple or Renuka Devi Temple, Lord Dattatreya Temple, Anusaya Mata Temple, Devdeveshwar Temple,
Lord Parshuram Parashurama (), also referred to as Rama Jamadagnya, Rama Bhargava and Veerarama, is the sixth avatar among the Dashavatara of the preserver god Vishnu in Hinduism. He is believed to be one of the ''Chiranjeevis'' (Immortals), who will appea ...
Temple, Sarvatirtha, Matru-Tirtha, Bhanutirth, Hati darvaza, Bal samudra, Pandav Leni, Mahurgad Fort,
Mahakali Mahakali () is the Hindu goddess of time and death in the goddess-centric tradition of Shaktism. Similar to Kali, Mahakali is a fierce goddess associated with universal power, time, life, death, and both rebirth and liberation. She is the cons ...
Temple (In the fort), Mahur Museum, Sonapir Dargah, Shaikh Farid Water fall (Wazara), Palace of Raje Udaram. Raje Udaram Deshmukh and later his brave wife RaiBagan (Royal Tigress) were the rulers of Mahur. People who visit Mahur also visit Unkeshwar Hot Spring (90 km from
Pusad Pusad is a city in the Yavatmal district located in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state of India. It is named after the Pus river. Its ancient name was 'Pushpawanti'. Pusad is second largest city of yavatmal district. For last 20 years Pusad ...
; 50 km from Mahur; 15 km from Kinwat), which has natural sources of hot water. This
sulphur Sulfur (or sulphur in British English) is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formula ...
-rich water is supposed to have medicinal value. The name Unkeshwar is because of Lord Unkeshwar (MAHADEV i.e.
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
) temple and Aashram complex.


Devdeveshwar Temple

Devdeveshwari mandir belongs to Mahanbhav Panth, basically called a ''nidra sthan'' (sleeping place) of Jagat Guru Shree Dattatreya Prabhu. It is at elevated outskirt of Mahur town, 2 km from Mahur bus stand. Daily Shree Dattatreya Prabhu will take nitya snan (daily bath) at meruwada talao (tank) in Mahur, bhiksha (the meal served to a sadhu or Indian monk) at Kolhapur, bhojan (lunch) at Panchaleshwar and get back to sleep in Devdeveshwar mandir Mahur (nidra sthan of God Dattatreya Prabhu). Jagat Guru Shree Dattatreya swami is a chiranjiv avtar (Immortal) so it is believed that even today Shree Dattatreya swami comes to sleep here.


Travel facilities and Pilgrimage Amenities

There are Maharashtra state transport buses that go from Nagpur, Nanded, Kinwat, Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola and Pusad to Mahur. The nearest airport is
Nanded airport Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport, Nanded is a public airport located in Nanded, in the state of Maharashtra, India. It was inaugurated on 4 October 2008 by Union Aviation Minister Shri. Praful Patel and the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra ...
which is connected to all the major cities of India. From
Nanded Nanded is a city in Maharashtra state, India. It is the tenth largest city in the state and the seventy-ninth most populous city in India. It is the second largest city in Marathwada region. It is the district headquarters of Nanded distric ...
, You can use private car or taxi to reach Mahurgad. For people from Mumbai and Pune visitors it is better to reach
Nanded Nanded is a city in Maharashtra state, India. It is the tenth largest city in the state and the seventy-ninth most populous city in India. It is the second largest city in Marathwada region. It is the district headquarters of Nanded distric ...
by train & take a Bus, Private car or taxi from there. From Nanded Bus stand frequent buses are there. Hadgaon also has bus and taxi transport going to Mahur. The only way to approach Mahur is by Road. There are frequent buses (State-run ST buses as well as private buses) from
Nanded Nanded is a city in Maharashtra state, India. It is the tenth largest city in the state and the seventy-ninth most populous city in India. It is the second largest city in Marathwada region. It is the district headquarters of Nanded distric ...
,
Yavatmal Yavatmal ( is a city and municipal council in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Yavatmal District. Yavatmal is around 90 km away from divisional headquarters Amravati while it is away from the stat ...
and
Pusad Pusad is a city in the Yavatmal district located in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state of India. It is named after the Pus river. Its ancient name was 'Pushpawanti'. Pusad is second largest city of yavatmal district. For last 20 years Pusad ...
. Accommodation facilities are available in Mahur city (7 km from the temple). All types of accommodation facilities are available like lodges, hotels, government rest houses. Foods served by local hotels,
dhaba A dhaba is a roadside restaurant in the Indian subcontinent, primarily across Pakistan and India. They are on highways, generally serve local cuisine, and also serve as truck stops. They are most commonly found next to petrol stations, and mo ...
s (roadside eateries for the travelers) are of good quality and served fresh. On auspicious occasions like
Navaratri Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honour of the goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Sharada. It is ob ...
s, Datta Pournima; Mahapuja is organised which is followed by Mahaprasad (Feast for the Pilgrims).


References

* www.srtmun.ac.in


Official Website

http://shrirenukamatamandir.org/


External links


Mahur, in Nanded
Maharashtra Govt. Official website.

The Official Website of Maharashtra Tourism.

{{Hindu temples in Maharashtra Cities and towns in Nanded district Shakti Peethas Talukas in Maharashtra Tourist attractions in Nanded district Hindu temples in Maharashtra