Tulja Bhavani Temple

The Tulja Bhavani Temple at Tuljapur in Dharashiv district, about 45 km north-east of Solapur, stands on Yamunachala hill in the Balaghat range. It was built in the 12th century by Maradadeva of the Kadamba dynasty and is counted among the 51 Shakti Pithas and the four great Shakti Pithas of Maharashtra. Bhavani, a form of Durga, is the clan goddess of many Maratha families, and Shivaji is said to have come here often to seek her blessing. Legend says she slew the demon Mahisha and rested on this hill.

The self-manifested image is a three-foot granite figure with eight arms holding weapons and the head of Mahishasura. The main entrance, named after Sardar Nimbalkar, leads down steps to the temple, past a shrine to the sage Markandeya and the Gomukh and Kallol tirthas, where devotees bathe before entering the sanctum. Puja is first offered at the Adi Maya temple, whose priests are from the Mahar community. Two other gates are named after Shahaji and Jijabai.