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Mahabaleshwar Temple (Timings, Entry Fee, History & Location)

Tushar Sanas
29 October 2022

Mahabaleshwar temple has a religious significance of its own. The holy temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and has a Shiva Lingam, which has been appeared on its own. This guide will help you to explore the temple through thoughts.

The architecture of the Mahabaleshwar Temple

The style of architecture of the Mahabaleshwar temple is Hemdanta style, and this style is much popular in south India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The ancient shrine is premised by a wall of five feet in height. The temple is divided into two parts- Santorum Sanctum and the central hall. In the sanctum Santorum houses, the Lingam of Lord shiva is made of black stone and is approximately 500 years old. The temple has cravings for Nandi and KaalBhairav.

History of Mahabaleshwar temple

Mahabaleshwar temple history is long. The recorded history of this shrine starts in 1215 CE. A king named Yadava King Singham built the temple, which is now known as Panchganga Temple. Yadava King Singham built a tank from the source of Krishna River and, surrounding it built a temple, and this temple is a part of the Mahabaleshwar temple till date.

Mahabaleshwar temple is 800 years old, and the Shiva Linga that presides inside the inner complex is thousand years or even more. The mythological story behind the arrival of Shiv Lingam can be discovered in the first chapter of SkandaPurana. Mahabaleshwar temple was built by Chandra Rao from the More dynasty in the 16th century..

Things to do at Mahabaleshwar Temple

Mahabaleshwar temple in Maharashtra is one of the revered temples, and the scenic backdrop of Sahyadri Hills is just mesmerizing. Along with seeking blessings at the temple, one can also view the natural grandeur of the surrounding area. Nature lovers can spend an entire day enjoying the calmness and beauty of the region. Sunrise and sunset near the temple premise is also something worth visiting.

There are different vantage points around the Mahabaleshwar temple that you can visit. Popular spots near Mahabaleshwar temple are Carnic Point, Helen's point, Wilson Point, Arthur's Seat, Elephant's head point, and Kate's point. Adventure enthusiasts can also enjoy hiking, trekking, and camping. Some of the well-known picnic spots are Dhobi Waterfalls, Venna Lake, and Chinaman's falls, and the places are perfect for relaxation.

Entry Fee and Timings of Mahabaleshwar Temple

Entry fee- You don't need to give any entry fee to visit the temple, or no other fee is taken while visiting the temple. However, if you want, you can donate any amount for the development purpose as the temple authority accepts donations, and you will get an authorized receipt in exchange. Capturing the photos of Linga and the interiors of the temple is prohibited.

Timings of visit- The timings of the temple visit start at 5 am and end at noon. Again, in the evening, the temple opens at 4 pm and closes at 9 pm. The temple remains open all 7 days a week.

Interesting facts about Mahabaleshwar Temple

Some facts regarding the Mahabaleshwar temple areas follow.

Here Shiva Lingam has appeared on its own and is not manmade Lingam.
In the temple, there is a central hall that has exhibits devoted to lord Shiva like Trishul, Damru, and Rudraksha. These exhibits are 300 years old, and it is believed that Lord Shiva comes to the temple to use them.
The Panchganga temple is the point of intersection of five rivers.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Mahabaleshwar Temple

If you are a first-time visitor of Mahabaleshwar temple, there are a few things you should keep in mind before visiting the temple. These are

The road conditions of the Mahabaleshwar temple are not that good so, the speed limit should be maintained.
During the season, timing parking shall be challenging, so the trip needs to be planned accordingly.
On the weekends and holidays, the crowd is much more than weekdays.
Pets are not allowed in the temple/
While buying the local stuff, try to bargain with the vendors.
As the place is crowded, keep a constant eye on your children and belongings.
If you plan to move during the monsoon, don't forget to carry raincoats and umbrellas.
To enjoy the serenity of the environment, visiting during weekdays is recommended as it's crowded in peak hours.

How to reach Mahabaleshwar temple

The temple is located in Old Mahabaleshwar. The temple is situated 6 km from the city. Distance from the bust and Mahabaleshwar temple can be covered in 20 minutes drive. However, bus service is not available for the location of the temple so, hiring a cab is advisable.

It is connected with the leading sightseeing areas.

Dhobi Falls is approx. 7 km
Venna Lake is approx. 5 km
Elephant's Head point is approx. 5 km
Mapro Garden is approx. 12.5 km

If you are from Maharashtra, you can visit this divine place of Mahabaleshwar. You will find peace and calmness in the place, and the mesmerizing beauty of nature is incredible.