Sonyaachi Jejuri

Just like Tarkarli, I was planning to go to Jejuri from a long time. Jejuri is located on Pune-Baramati Road and the distance form Pune is 40kms. It is well connected with the public transport and the road is also very good. You can catch any bus from Pune heading to Saswad, Baramati, Nira, Phaltan or Indapur. There are direct buses from Mumbai and Pune. This is the same route taken by the Waarkaris (pilgrims) to reach Pandharpur during Kaartiki and Aashadhi Ekaadashi.

Jejuri is also known as Khandobachi Jejuri or Sonyaachi Jejuri, meaning the place is full of Bhandaara all over which is showered by the devotees who visit this place to fetch the blessings of Lord Malhari or Khandobaa. Khandoba is known to be a warrior God sitting on horseback with a sword and a damru. He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra, the patron deity of warrior, farming and herding castes, the hunters and gatherers of the hills and forests. The legends of Khandoba, found in the text Malhari Mahatmya and also narrated in folk songs, revolve around the god's victory over demons Mani-malla and the god's marriages. It is a tradition and considered as auspicious for the newly wed couple to visit this temple.

The temple is built on a hill which can be reached after climbing around 200 steep steps. Once you are near the temple you will notice the whole area around the temple full of Bhandaara (turmeric powder) showered by the visiting devotees. There are 6 Deep Maalas in front of the Khandoba Mandir. As the temple is located on a height you will enjoy watching the glimpse of the area of Jejuri and other small villages.

The temple is crowded on Sundays and Amavasya Day. You will find people from Dhangar (shepherd) community on a large number visiting this place. You will find many pandits in the temple asking for donations but strictly ignore them as they emotionally blackmail many devotees and the devotees too get fooled easily. Photography is not allowed inside the temple as one of the security guards asked me to keep the camera inside the bag but later after entering the temple I realized that the switch of the CCTV camera is OFF, but to be on safer side I did not click any images. You will also hear people shouting "Yelkot! Yelkot! Jai Malhar" and "Sadanandacha Yelkot" to impress Lord Khandoba.

After spending 1.5hrs at Jejuri, I headed back to Saswad to see the Samaadhi of Baaji Paasalkar, first Commander in Chief of Shivaji's Army (Sar Senapati). Unfortunately, the place was under construction, so I could not enter the place. Saswad is also known for Sopan Maharaj's (Dnyaneshwar's brother) Samadhi. It is said that Lord Vitthal asked Sopandev to acquire "Sanjeevan Samadhi" (salvation) at this place and is also believed that Lord Vitthal promised Sopandev to visit this place every year. Sopan Maharaj Mandir is huge and the atmosphere here is very silent and pleasant with a river flowing at the back of the temple.

Route to Jejuri:- Swargate-Gultekdi-Hadapsar-Fursungi-Dive Ghat- Saswad-Khalad-Jejuri.

Travel Expenses:-
Swargate to Jejuri- Rs 31
Jejuri to Saswad- Rs 12
Saswad to Swargate (Asiad Bus)- Rs 25

For Images, click here.

Thanks and Regards.