Visit Saptashrungi Devi Temple: One of the 51 Shaktipeethas in Nanduri, Kalwan taluka, Nashik (2024)
Saptashrungi Devi temple is an ancient temple and is in Nashik. The temple is in devotion to the Goddess Saptashrungi Nivasini who resides in the seven mountain peaks. The Goddess is a kuldaivat of the Marathas and the Bhil tribes in the vicinity. The Saptashrungi Devi temple has religious and historical importance as it is among the 51 Shaktipeethas in the Indian subcontinents. Shaktipeethas are of religious importance in Shaktism.
Saptashrungi Devi Temple in Mythology:
According to legend, this is the location where one of Sati’s arm fell. Sati was Shiva’s wife, who immolated herself. The concept of Sati, of the wife immolating herself after her husband’s death transpires from this legend. The idol of the Saptashrungi Devi is a Syavambhu, which means that it is self-formed. There are very few Syavambhu idols in Maharasthra, so this one becomes a must-visit for anyone interested in this phenomenon.
Saptashrungi Devi Temple Experience
Saptashrungi Devi temple is on a hill-top, and there is a ropeway for you to go there. The total number of steps that you need to climb to reach the top is around five hundred. Further, some stairs take you to the actual temple. In the temple, you will see idols of other Gods and Goddesses, for example, one of Lord Ganesha. Many of them are a golden color, like the Nandi and the Ganesha Idol. The main Saptarushi devi idol is orange. The decoration is breathtaking. The head is canted to the right, and the depiction has several hands. A metal structure surrounds it, and it has some intricate carvings. The door leading to the Saptashrungi devi idol has several carvings of mythic entities as well. There are also statues of two guardsmen outside the structure.
There are some interesting aspects of the Saptarishi devi temple. To begin with, this is one of the few temples that has a lot of metal around. Most of the other temples in Maharashtra have stone arches. Here, even some of the idols are of metal.
The Saptashrungi devi temple is also one of the few temples in the city area of Maharashtra that is surrounded by lush greenery. The best time to visit the Saptashrungi devi temple would be monsoons, as that is when nature is in its full bloom.
The visit to the Saptashrungi Devi Temple is a hassle-free experience. Though devotees throng to it, the management handles it all well, and you won’t need to spend a lot of time waiting for the darshan.
The Saptashrungi Devi temple is in a hilly area, and so the weather will be harsh. Therefore, make sure that you pack with the weather in mind. The temperature in rural Maharashtra gets extremely high during the afternoons, so make sure that you complete it by the early afternoon.
The Saptashrungi Devi temple is the midst of seven peaks, and while you travel upwards, you get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding valleys, which makes for a great viewing experience. During the monsoon season, it becomes more beautiful, and the chilly weather here is something that everyone must experience.
Places to Visit Near Saptashrungi Devi Temple
The Saptashrungi Devi temple is about sixty kilometers from Nashik, so you will spend your entire day traveling from Nashik to the temple and back. Therefore, you will not have much time to explore Nashik, unless you plan to spend a whole weekend here.
And if you are in Nashik for a weekend, there are some tourist spots and spots fo religious importance that you can visit.
You can visit the Sita Gumpha. Devotees believe this was the place where Ravana abducted Sita.
You can also visit Ramkhund, the place where the Kumbh Mela takes place every twelve years. Devotees believe that this was the place where
Lord Rama had his bath during his exile period. The destination is the confluence of the three rivers, the River Aruna, the river Baruna and the River Godavari.
Sundarnarayan Temple is another destination that you can visit near Saptashrungi Devi temple. As is evident by now, many of the incidents in the Ramayana occurred in these areas. It will be a fascinating experience to visit these places, either with a tour guide or after you have read up about what to expect.
Nashik City is a vibrant place, and you can spend a couple of hours roaming through the streets and taking in the lifestyle. The city has malls, restaurants, and other locations where you can spend some time.
You have the Sula and Soma Wine Gardens. These places give you tours of the wine garden, and you can buy quality wine at excellent rates as well.
How to Reach Saptashrungi Devi Temple?
Address: near Datta Mandir, Saptashurngi, Maharashtra 423501
Saptarishi Devi temple is about two hours’ drive from Nashik City at a distance of about 60 kms from Nashik in Nanduri, Kalwan taluka. You will find several buses that ply on this line. The bus ride takes about two hours.
You are in Nashik, and Nashik connects well to all locations in Maharashtra. Nashik has an airport with connecting flights to Mumbai and Pune. Nashik connects well with Mumbai and Pune by road and rail. You will take about five hours if you decide to travel from Pune to Nashik via train or bus. You will take around four hours to reach Nashik from Mumbai if you travel via train or bus.