Shri Dev Laxmi-Madhav - Bhalavali

Bhalavali is 42 kms from Ratnagiri via Pawas or 20 kms from Rajapur, which is Taluka place. Proper old records are not available but this temple is estimated to be 400 years old. This temple is regarded as Sacred Seat of Bhalavalikar Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Samaj which is spread in twelve villages, which is a testimony of their original settlement in Bhalavali some 400 years ago. Even today this temple is respected by all Bhalavalikar Gaud Saraswat Samaj including people who migrated to Puttur and Sulia Districts in Karnataka.

The temple garbhagruha houses idol of Laxmi- Madhav and outside on left hand side idols of Hanumana and Ganpati and on right hand side idols of Mahishasur- Mardini (Durga) and Shri Dattatreya is placed. There is a small natural spring having permanent source of water in vicinity of temple on left hand side and Lord Shiva’s Lingam is placed nearby.

In recent time, twice renovation works are carried out. The last work was undertaken and completed on October 30, 2006 by Shri Laxmi-Madhav Sewa Mandal, Mumbai. Kelkar family with help of local residents carried out earlier renovation in the year 1965.

Temple Festivals and Programmes

The annual temple festival is celebrated in the month of Kartik from ShuddhaDashami to Purnima. This is led by local Saraswat families of Kelkar, Marathe and Sinkar (Sardar) each family taking yearly turn. Other families of Borkar, Juvale, Pandit and Bandivadekar play important part in this festival. These 7 Saraswat families are traditionally assigned rights to conduct certain rituals in this festival. During this period programmes like bhajan, kirtan, ‘PancharatiBhowati’- pradakshina (circumambulation with holding Lit-up lamps), taking out Palanquin of Dev Laxmi Madhav in temple circumference, etc. programs are conducted.On last day of this festival ther is ‘samaradhana’(lunch for all). Other occasional programmes do take place in this temple. S.H.M. conducts in this temple only.

Shri Dev Sthaneshwar - Dorle

Dorle is in Ratnagiri Taluka about 22 kms distance from Ratnagiri. There is no proper records available but this temple is estimated to be 300-400 years old. The last work was undertaken and completed on February 25, 2001 by Shri Sthaneshwar Sewa Mandal, Mumbai. There is swayabhu (self-existent) lingam in garbhagruha. Within the compound there are temples of Shri Juga Devi and Shri Hanumana.

All temple festivals are planned and managed by local Saraswats, which include Potkar, Elder Sakhalkar, Patkar, Younger Sakhalkar and Kabir.

Eleven Pillars Puja is a special to this temple. With intricate design of coconut tree leaves, eleven pillars are created which are filled in by rice. It involves total 72 kilogram rice.

Temple Festivals and Programmes

1. 1. On third Monday of Shravan Month, from sunrise on Monday till sunrise of Tuesday, there is Nama- Gajara, Bhajan and Santat- dhar(continuous abhisheka) on Lingam.
2. 2. There is ‘PancharatiBhowati’- pradakshina (circumambulation with holding Lit-up lamps) around temple on every Monday and Thursday between Kartik Shuddha Pournima( Kojagiri) till Kartik Shuddha Navami.

Main festival is celebrated from Kartik Shuddha Dashami to Kartik Pournima. During this period, programmes like; daily Tripura lighting, bhajan, pancharati bhowati, kirtanas, pravachanas are conducted. There is samaradhana(lunch) on first and last day of utsava.

3. 3. The Mahashivaratri Utsava is celebrated during Magha Vadya Dashami till Magha Amavasya. On second day of Mahashivratri there is samaradhana(lunch)

Shri Dev Satyeshwar - Harche

Harche is situated at west end of Lanja Taluka in district Ratnagiri. There is no proper records available but this temple is estimated to be 300-400 years old. So far thrice major renovation works are carried out. The last work was undertaken and completed on February, 25, 2005 by Shri Satyeshwar Sewa Mandal, Mumbai with help of local residents.

Inside garbhagruha, it has, Lord Shiva’s swayambhu(self existent) Lingam; outside on left, Lord Ganapati; on right, Kshetrapal and Nandi is facing garbhagruha. The sabhamandapam is having seat of Goddess Bhagwati. In front of temple, there are two stambhas (high stone pillars) to place lit up lamps(tripuras) in KartikUtsav.

All temple festivals are planned and managed by local Saraswats, which include VaracheKhot, BarbhaiKhot, RaikarKhot and Kalwari-PatkarKhot.The Palanquin of Lord Satyeshwar taken out twice in the year viz. on AshadhaSuddhaDashasmi and on KartikSuddhaDashami and taken throughout the village. The right to taking out palanquin is of Sakpal, Mali and others in Devoolwadi resident by tradition, which is adhered to till date.

Temple Festivals and Programmes

1. 1. On third Monday of ShravanMonth, from sunrise on Monday till sunrise of Tuesday, there is Nama- Gajara, Bhajan and Santat- dhar(continuous abhisheka) on Lingam..
2. 2. There is ‘PancharatiBhowati’- pradakshina (circumambulation with holding Lit-up lamps)around temple on every Monday and Thursday between KartikShuddhaPournima( Kojagiri) till KartikShuddhaNavami.
3. 3. Main festival is celebrated from KartikShuddhaDashami to KartikPournima. During this period, programmes like; daily Tripura lighting, pancharatibhowati, bhajans-kirtanas, pravachanas are conducted.
4. 4. The ShivaratriUtsava is celebrated during MaghaVadyaDashami till MaghaAmavasya.

Shri Dev Someshwar - Bhade

Bhade is situated at west end of Lanja Taluka in district Ratnagiri. It is about 33 kms from Ratnagiri city. There is no proper records available but this temple is estimated to be 300-400 years old. All residents of Bhade last renovation work about 30 years ago.

Inside garbhagruha, it has, Lord Shiva’s swayambhu(self existent) Lingam; outside on left, Lord Ganapati; Nandi is facing garbhagruha. In front of temple, there a high stone pillar to place lit up lamps (tripuras) in KartikUtsav and a temple of Hanumana.

All temple festivals are planned and managed by local Saraswats viz. Borkars and Tendulkars.

Temple Festivals and Programmes

1. 1. On third Monday of Shravan Month, from sunrise on Monday till sunrise of Tuesday, there is Nama- Gajara, Bhajan and Santat- dhar(continuous abhisheka) on Lingam.
2. 2. There is ‘PancharatiBhowati’- pradakshina (circumambulation with holding Lit-up lamps)around temple on in month of Kartik.
3. 3. Main festival is celebrated from KartikShuddhaDashami to KartikPournima. During this period, programmes like; daily Tripura lighting, pancharatibhowati, bhajans-kirtanas, pravachanas are conducted.
4. 4. The ShivaratriUtsava is celebrated during MaghaVadyaDashami till MaghaAmavasya.