|| Shri Harihareshwar Kalbhairav Prasanna ||
Shri Kshetra Harihareshwar is a foremost pilgrimage site of Hindustan (India). This place is also known as Dakshinkashi. The main temple here is of Shri Harihareshwar; in the sanctum are Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Adimaya Parvati in the form of lingas. Through the penance of the great sage Agastya, Shri Harihareshwar manifested here in linga form.
The second temple is of Shri Kalbhairav. Shri Kalbhairav incarnated to slay the demon Shataghna. By the grace of this deity, afflictions caused by evil spirits are removed. Beside this deity is the Adishakti Yogeshwari.
As in Uttar Kashi, one should first take darshan of Shri Kalbhairav, and then, after having darshan of Shri Ganapati, Garuda and Nandi in the Shri Harihareshwar temple, take darshan of Shri Harihareshwar. The pradakshina of Shri Harihareshwar is Somsutri.
By climbing the steps behind the Shri Kalbhairav temple, one can visit other holy sites. On the way one sees Vishnupad, Shuklatirtha, Chakratirtha, Suryatirtha, Nagtirtha, Gauritirtha, Pandavtirtha, etc. While taking this darshan, one also receives the merit of circumambulating Brahmadev. As in the sanctum, Shri Harihareshwar dwells in the form of a mountain, and the pradakshina is of Brahmadev's mountain. One should go for the pradakshina only after checking the high and low tides.
A detailed description of this holy place is found in the Sahyadri Khanda of the Skanda Purana.
ध्यायेत् सदा श्री हरिहरेशं तव पाद पंकजम् ।
सुरैर्मुनैर्वन्दित दिव्य रूपम् ।
भुक्तिं च मुक्तिं च ददासि नित्यम् ।
भावानुसारेंण सदा नराणाम् ॥
Shri Harihareshwar and Kalbhairav are the family deities of many, including the Shrimant Peshwas (Bhat). Even today, the local Upadhye priests carry out the worship duties during festivals on behalf of the Shrimant Peshwas. Since that time, this place was granted Rs. 1152/- annually. That grant has now been increased by the Government of Maharashtra. A separate fund is also provided by the Zilla Parishad for chaughada (traditional drum) music. Cooperation is also received from other devotees and donors.
The temple also receives financial support through the ongoing ten-year Puja Abhishek scheme. However, due to rising inflation, the temple's expenses have increased. Even so, this temple does not levy any tax on visiting devotees. We therefore request devotees to support us financially by donating in the temple's donation box or by giving a proper donation at the office.
Visiting devotees still face inconvenience regarding water and pilgrim accommodation (Bhakt Niwas). Efforts are underway to address this. We request that all the above appeals be considered sympathetically and that you extend your cooperation.
— Shri Dev Harihareshwar Kalbhairav Mandir Sansthan, Harihareshwar
Harihareshwar, also known as Dakshin Kashi, is a beautiful town on the western coast of India, about 200 km from Mumbai and Pune.
Surrounded by four hills - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Parvati - the town lies at the confluence of the river Savitri and the Arabian Sea.
Harihareshwar is one of the 108 teerthas spread across the Konkan coast, from Nirmal in the north to Gokarna in the south. As per the Harihareshwar Mahatmya (Skanda Purana, Sahyadri Khanda), the rivers Savitri and Gayatri meet the Arabian Sea here after Lord Vishnu conducted a yagnya at Shukla Teertha.
Harihareshwar is also called Devghar, the House of Gods, where Hari, Har and Ishwar reside in the form of lingas in the lap of the Sahyadri mountains.
The main temples are the Shri Harihareshwar temple and the Shri Kalbhairav and Devi Yogeshwari temple. Agasti Rishi (Agasti Muni) sculpted the idols when he was blessed with the darshan of Lord Shiva and Kalbhairav. The Yadava kings built the temple; later the Peshwas renovated it, and it stands strong today.
The temple has a main hall with idols of Ganesha, Nandi and Vishnu. The main deity, Shri Harihareshwar, is in the Gabhara in the form of a Linga that represents the four mountains in the same sequence - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Parvati.
The Kalbhairav temple has the idols of Shri Dev Kalbhairav and Devi Yogeshwari, along with Bapdev and Kshetrapaal. Kartik Vadya Ashtami is observed as the day of incarnation of Shri Kalbhairav and has been celebrated as Kalbhairav Jayanti Utsav for over 100 years.
Ganesh Teertha (Ganesh Ghal), Vishnu Pada and Gayatri Teertha are the most commonly visited teerthas. Around 200 steps lead to Shukla Teertha, south of the Harihareshwar temple, which offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and the confluence of the Savitri River and the sea.
Other temples include the Maruti, Ganesha, Vithoba, Kaleshri Devi, Sakshibhairav, Bapdev and Khajrai Devi temples, and the Agasti cave (visit the cave with someone who knows the way).
Harihareshwar is filled with festivals all year round. Holi (Shimga), the Ganpati festival and Dahi Handi are very prominent in the Konkan region. Shimga is special because the youngsters of Harihareshwar play various characters, such as Shankasur, in processions across the town.
The temple is managed by the Shri Dev Harihareshwar Mandir Sansthan Trust, registered with the Government as A-114. The trustees are dedicated to running the day-to-day operations and resolving challenges in the best interest of the temples and the trust.
Select Read More to explore each sacred story in detail.
Parashuram arrived in the Chiplun region. From there, he stayed at Harihareshwar, approximately 38 km away.
There are many religious sites to the south and north.
Among the many sacred places, Shukla Tirtha at Harihareshwar is considered the most eminent.
In the Vindhya mountain region of central India, the power of an unrighteous demon began to grow again. The Vindhya mountain also began to rise.
Observing the political situation, Sage Agastya and his devoted wife Lopamudra travelled south.
Through yogic power, he brought the principal demon under control.
He lived in southern India for many years so that the roots of the demonic power could be destroyed.
It is mentioned that his main centre was at Akola in Ahmednagar district.
While travelling through the Sahyadri mountains, he recorded his spiritual practices and thoughts in texts.
While enquiring about sacred places south of Kashi, he heard a description of Harihareshwar.
He came to Harihareshwar and stayed at Morgiri / Morayacha Tok.
Recognising the importance of Harihareshwar, Sage Agastya established:
They were established in the form of three sacred lingas.
He performed severe penance. Afterwards, Lord Shankar appeared before him in the form of a divine man.
The cave of Sage Agastya is shown at Morgiri, approximately 3 km north of Harihareshwar.
Long ago, Lord Brahma resolved to perform a great yajna together with Vishnu and Shankar.
Many beings arrived for the yajna:
Preparations for the yajna were made with immense splendour.
Savitri, the senior wife of Brahma, went to her palace to adorn herself in a manner befitting the occasion and remained there.
The appointed time for the yajna drew near, but there was no sign of Savitri arriving.
The priests became worried. Seeing the situation, Vishnu advised that when a religious ceremony is obstructed, the junior wife may perform the duty in place of the senior wife.
Therefore, Gayatri was seated beside her husband and the yajna began.
Savitri came to the yajna pavilion to witness the ceremony.
Seeing that the yajna had already begun, she became furious.
She cursed Vishnu and the other gods:
“You shall become immovable forms and forms of water.”
Because of her thoughtless curse, the gods also cursed her:
“You too shall become a form of water.”
Vishnu made her realise the mistake she had committed. She then granted a release from the curse.
It was declared that the gods transformed into water would regain their original forms after joining the Vishnu-form Krishna River and then merging with the ocean.
All the principal gods manifested as rivers in the Mahabaleshwar region.
In anger, Savitri destroyed the yajna and travelled westward through the high cliffs of the Sahyadri mountains.
Vishnu calmed her.
Hari and Har decided to manifest from the ocean in a fierce form.
That place is regarded as the sacred region of Harihareshwar.
Savitri was freed from her curse after merging with the ocean here.
After all the gods were freed from the curse, Brahma restarted the yajna at Harihareshwar.
The most eminent sages were invited.
The following were established for the yajna:
An extraordinary yajna was performed.
After Vishnu prayed, Gayatri—who had gone to Mahabaleshwar—manifested when Savitri’s release from the curse commanded her to “appear”.
Following the prayers of all the gods, Shri Harihar permanently resided there in the form of a mountain.
Seen from a distance, this mountain appears somewhat separate in the sea. This is the sacred region of Harihareshwar.
Later, during the Varaha Kalpa, a powerful demon named Shataghna began tormenting everyone.
After the gods prayed, Shankar manifested here as a radiant divine man.
He destroyed Shataghna.
The attendants of Shankar destroyed the demon’s army.
Everyone celebrated with joy.
The occasion was Kartik Vadya Ashtami.
Even today, a grand festival and Mahaprasad are held here on this day.
It is believed that virtuous souls attain liberation here.
Shiva took a vow from his attendants and permanently remained here in the form of Kalbhairav.
Devotees should first take darshan of Kalbhairav.
They should then visit the temple of the principal deity, Harihareshwar.
The deities established here by Sage Agastya are:
They are described as residing here in the form of three sacred lingas.
The sequence thereafter is:
The summit offers a beautiful and breathtaking view.
Chandrarao More, Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas provided grants for constructing the temple and the steps.
Before descending the steps, walk carefully along the right-hand edge for approximately five minutes to reach the mountain summit.
From here one can see:
These views can be clearly seen.
To the left of the steps, climb approximately 2 metres farther to take darshan at a small sacred place.
To the south, there is an expansive and beautiful view of the sea.
Many sacred tirthas are mentioned along the Parikrama route.
After descending the steps, Shukla Tirtha can be seen directly ahead.
It is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Konkan.
It is mentioned that Vishnu took three steps here for the liberation of people / sages.
Therefore, this place is revered as Vishnupad.
From Shukla Tirtha, proceed to the right; this sacred place lies between two cliffs.
Legend says that Gayatri was freed from her curse here.
It is mentioned that the Pandavas performed Pind Daan here.
Proceeding beyond Shukla Tirtha brings one back to the Harihareshwar temple.
This route is known as the short Parikrama.
The complete Parikrama route is:
Brahma Tirtha → Vishnu Tirtha → Nandi Tirtha → Shiva Tirtha → Sakhi Parvati Sthan → Ganesh Tirtha → Swargadwar → Vaitarani River → Siddhashram → Surya Tirtha → Shankha Tirtha → Devkoti → Rama Tirtha → Shukla Tirtha
Afterwards, climb the steps.
Take darshan of Kalbhairav and Harihareshwar.
The Parikrama is completed after the darshan.
Duration: approximately 2 to 2½ hours.
During the Kartiki Ekadashi pilgrimage, this Parikrama is completed with the palanquin procession.
At the beginning of the Parikrama, climbing and descending the mountain can be slightly strenuous.
The experience becomes increasingly joyful afterwards.
The Parikrama offers:
The religious and spiritual message of the Parikrama is that it inspires people to remove negative qualities from their minds.
