Best Places to Visit in Washim – Temples, Reservoirs & Sanctuaries

1.Poharadevi Temple

The Banjara community considers Poharadevi Temple, in Washim district of Maharashtra, a highly revered place of worship. This place is often referred to as the Kashi of the Banjara Society and is dedicated to Jagdamba Mata, who is another name for Durga.

Religious Significance
The temple is dedicated to religion as well as to the memory of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, a leader and reformer of the Banjara community. People came to the site for spiritual understanding and guidance, since Sai Baba was known to teach about social progress.

Right next to the temple is the Banjara Virasat Museum which PM Modi opened on October 5. Four stories high and set on 16 acres, this museum exhibits the rich heritage, traditions and past of the Banjara community in 13 galleries. There are exhibits full of historical items, accounts of leaders from the Banjara community, plus engaging activities for everyone to discover and enjoy.

2. Jain Temple Shirpur Jain

Historical Significance

Many legends surround how this temple was founded. It is believed by Jains that Goddess Sharadamba’s idol was built by King Khara using cow dung and sand. Later, when King Shripal was very ill, he was cured after drinking water from a well that held the idol. He carried out God’s instructions and brought the idol to Shirpur. However, when I looked back while on the journey which was forbidden, the idol stopped moving and remained in its place in the air. Acharya Abhaydevasuri installed the divine idol in this place in 1142.

The most striking feature at the temple is the Lord Parshwanath statue, standing about 3.5 feet high and carved in meditation pose, while a serpent is shown above as a hood. It is surprising that the idol appears to stay suspended, except for the tip of the little finger on its foot touching the ground .

Sitting at the center of Shirpur village, the temple displays common features found in Jain buildings. Four Jain temples are located in the complex, for example, the Antariksha Parshwanath Basti Mandir, Pavali Digambar Mandir, Parshwanath Shvetambar Mandir and Chintamani Parshwanath Digambar Mandir. The grand temple was reconstructed about 250 years back and holds 16 altars, along with detailed carvings.

Through festivals and rituals, I learn.
Thousands of people from all walks of life attend the temple during important Jain festivals such as Mahavir Jayanti, Pausha Dashami and Parshwanath’s Moksha Kalyanaka. A typical day begins with prayers, chanting sacred mantras and then meditation, keeping everyone devoted and at peace inside.

3.Gurudatta Temple Karanja

The Gurudatta Temple, found in Karanja Lad, Washim district, Maharashtra, is popularly known as Shri Gurumandir and is revered by many as a holy site for Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj, the second embodiment of Lord Dattatreya. Amba and Madhav Kale gave birth to Narahari, who was born in the late 14th century. When he was born, he already demonstrated heavenly traits by uttering just the sacred word “Om.” Once he had received the sacred thread, he casually recited the entire Veda texts in front of everyone. At the age of seven, he traveled to Kashi and received the name Nrusimha Saraswati after practicing Sanyasa. For most of his life, he journeyed through Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, helping others understand God and do miracles. His life and ideas are described in the text known as Shri Guru Charitra.

Because of Swami Brahmanand Saraswati’s hard work, the Gurumandir Temple was built in 1934 at Shri Vasudevananda Saraswati’s birthplace. The area includes the exact place where the Janmasthan Temple stands, as the birthplace of Shri Nrusimha Saraswati. During the past century, Gurumandir has built a reputation as a center for support in religion and welfare in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha.

4.Balaji temple

In Washim, Maharashtra, Balaji Temple is revered for Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). The temple was built in 1779 AD by Bhavani Kalu, Diwan in the service of the Bhosale Kingdom, to reflect the importance of religion in this region.

Historical Significance

During the rule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the sacred idols were hidden below ground. In 1760, an unexpected discovery of the idols of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahadeva, Parvati, Ganapati and Naga occurred when a horseman found them. After understanding the temple’s value, Bhavani Kalu built it and it was completed after 12 years. The temple’s inscription proves that it was built during Shaka 1700 (in 1778 AD).

Celebrations and Festivals

Navratri Festival: Celebrated every year in Ashwin with music, wonderful stories and performing many rituals. The event is completed by the Simolanghan ritual on Vijayadasami day.

• In the Ashvina month (September–October), over 12,000 to 15,000 attend a major fair.

• Many people from all over attend and celebrate Ramnavami with great passion.

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