Panchganga Temple

The Panchganga Temple stands on a plateau in Mahabaleshwar, Satara district, looking over the Western Ghats. Its name refers to five rivers believed to meet here: the Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Savitri and Gayatri. According to Hindu belief, all five issue from a gomukh, a spout carved in the shape of a cow's head, inside the temple complex.

Pilgrims bathe in the springs, whose water is considered purifying, and pray for health, prosperity and spiritual well-being. The complex is a group of shrines and halls for several deities, among them Shiva, the presiding god of Mahabaleshwar, and shows regional temple building in its stone pillars, arches and sculpture. Devotional singing and incense fill the main sanctum.