Jejuri is one the popular pilgrim centres of Maharashtra, located 38-km from Pune and 60-km from Sholapur. Jejuri houses a temple dedicated to Lord Khandoba. Khandoba, popularly known as Khandobachi Jejuri, is one of the important Gods worshipped by Dhangar, the oldest tribes in Maharashtra. It is believed that Khandoba, is a god of Sakamabhakti i.e. it God who fulfils all the desires of his devotees. Jejuri is popular for its old Deep Mala.
Khandoba, also known as Khanderao, Khanderaya, Malhari Martand and Mallu Khan is a regional Hindu deity, worshipped as M?rtanda Bhairava, a form of Shiva, mainly in the Deccan plateau of India. He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra, the patron deity of Deshastha brahmin, warrior, farming and herding castes, the hunters and gatherers of the hills and forests. The cult of Khandoba has linkages with Vaishnava and Jain traditions, and also assimilates all communities irrespective of caste, including Muslims. Khandoba is sometimes identified with Mallanna of Andhra Pradesh and Mailara of Karnataka. The worship of Khandoba developed during the 9th and 10th centuries from a folk deity into a composite god possessing the attributes of Shiva, Bhairava, Surya and Karttikeya Skanda. He is depicted either in the form of a Lingam, or as an image riding on a bull or a horse. The foremost centre of Khandoba worship is Jejuri in Maharashtra. The legends of Khandoba, found in the text Malhari Mahatmya and also narrated in folk songs, revolve around his victory over demons Mani-malla and his marriages. There are various stone images of elephants on either sides of the main gateway of the temple. On the right hand side of the gate, is an object resembling a Shiva-ling, around which a niche known as the 'Isavalakacha bhunga' is built. The entire flat plateau above the hill is surrounded by a stone pavement in the center, of which stands the Khandoba shrine. The whole courtyard is surrounded by arched aisles on sides, from which highly ornate balconies with cypress pillars and cusped arches project out.This enclosure has three gateways.The temple faces the east. The outermost portion is an arched portico- consisting of a square mandap and garbhagriha. Over the portico, a big 'Khanda' sword, an attribute of the god is hung. In the garbhagriha, there are two swayambhu lings, that of Khandoba and the other representating Mhalsa, his consort, covered with silver masks. The noticeable features outside the temple are a stone tortoise; a small cell used for performing the rites of Bagad; and a giant image of demon Mani.