Khandoba Temple

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Legend Of Khandoba

A record dated 1750 A.D. narrates a tale about the erection of the temple at Jejuri. Once, several boys herding their cattle were resting on the Karhe-pathar, a site at Jejuri. Bhaya, one of these boys and a devout devotee of Khandoba, was disappointed on learning that god Khandoba had suddenly disappeared on seeing him. Soon, a great dispute arose as to whose devotion made Khandoba come to the spot and a contest followed. Bhayas axe struck the ling, fulfilling the contest conditions and streams of blood and milk gushed out. Finally, the god Khandoba appeared before Bhaya and later, a temple was erected over the ling. There is also a legend about how Khandoba, a hot-tempered and vigilant deity, punished Aurangzeb, the Muslim emperor and his soldiers, for their intention of desecrating his shrine at Jejuri.Certain medieval texts like the Martand- Vijay refer to the bravery of god Khandoba. They reveal that Mani and Mallah, two daityas who had created havoc in heaven by conquering all lokas and defeating the gods, eventually lost out to Khandoba. Thus it was god Khandoba to had acted as the saviour of the gods, rishes and sages.

Northern India