Sri Kedareshwar Cave temple, Maharashtra

Address

Sri Kedareshwar Cave temple, Harishchandragad, Paachnaichi Vaat Path Maharashtra 422604

Diety

Kedareshwar

Introduction

The ancient hill-fort of Harishchandragad located in Malshej Ghat in the district of Ahmednagar at about an altitude of 4,670 ft is a historical treasure chest. It is believed to have conclusive finds of microlith (chipped stone used as tools) used by man about -3,000 years ago in the Microlithic Age. This sacred place has also been mentioned several times in the ancient scriptures of Matsyapurana, Agnipurana and Skandapurana. Towards the right of Harishchandreshwar temple, there is the huge cave of Kedareshwar in which there is a big Shiva Linga, which is completely surrounded by water. Its height from the base is five feet, and the water is waist-deep. It is quite difficult to reach the Shiva Linga because the water is ice-cold. There are sculptures carved out in the cave. In the monsoon it is not possible to reach this cave, as a huge stream flows across the way. Actually this is the origin of River Mangalganga. there is a huge rock above the Shiva Linga. There were four pillars built around the Shiva Linga to support the cave. But only one pillars are stand still other three pillars are ruins.

Puranic Significance

Another interesting thing about this place is that water seeps into this temple from the four walls on an everyday basis. And owing to the water being very cold, it’s difficult to reach inside too. The water continues to seep in during all the seasons during the year. During rainy season the water level in this cave becomes almost waist high. Kedareshwar Cave. Local legend holds that when the fourth pillar breaks, the world will come to an end.