Mahabaleshwar Adibaleshwar Temple - Maharashtra

Address

Mahabaleshwar Adibaleshwar Temple – Maharashtra

Old Mahabaleshwar, Satara District,

Maharashtra 412806

Moolavar

Adibaleshwar

Introduction

The Adibaleshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is another important religious site in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, India.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be quite old, possibly older than the Mahabaleshwar Temple. It was built in the 16th century CE by Chanda Rao More, reflecting the rich historical and architectural heritage of the region during that period. The Adibaleshwar Temple follows the Hemadpanti architectural style, which is characterized by the use of black stone and intricate carvings. This architectural style is known for its aesthetic appeal.

The legend of Adibaleshwar Temple is consistent with the legend of other nearby temples, including Mahabaleshwar Temple and Koteshwar Temple. It tells the story of two demon brothers, Mahabal and Atibal, causing trouble for people, devas, and sages. The deities prayed to Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu for assistance. Lord Vishnu defeated Adibaleshwar, but Lord Shiva couldn’t defeat Mahabal due to his boon. With the intervention of Goddess Mahamaya, Mahabal granted the boon of his own death, and the deities were transformed into Adibaleshwar, Kotishwar, and Mahabaleshwar to stay at Mahabaleshwar forever.

Special Features

The Adibaleshwar Temple is described as a small temple located next to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Interestingly, it is noted that the heights of the temple doors are low, requiring devotees to bend down to enter the temple. This architectural feature adds a unique aspect to the temple.The presiding deity of the Adibaleshwar Temple is Lord Shiva, who is enshrined in the form of a Lingam, symbolizing his presence. Additionally, there are three broken Nandi statues facing the sanctum. Nandi is the sacred bull associated with Lord Shiva and is typically found in Shiva temples.