Major temples of Maharashtra
Maharashtra is home to a rich heritage of sacred sites, including 5 of the 12 Jyotirlingas, 3.5 Shakti Peethas, 8 Ashtavinayak temples, and historic pilgrimage centers. In state exams like MPSC Rajyaseva, Combine (PSI/STI/ASO), Talathi, and Police Bharti, questions frequently appear on temple geographic locations, districts, dravidian or hemadpanthi architecture, ruling dynasties, and river confluences. Tap any temple marker on the map to explore detailed facts, check previous exam questions, and test your knowledge in the practice quiz mode.
Tap a temple marker on the map or select from the list below.
Quick revision cards for exams
Trimbakeshwar (Nashik) is the source of the Godavari River and features a unique three-faced linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Shiva).
Bhimashankar (Pune) is the origin of the Bhima River. The surrounding forest is a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the state animal, Shekharu (Giant Squirrel).
Grishneshwar Temple near Ellora Caves was reconstructed by Maloji Bhosale and later rebuilt in its present form by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
The 3.5 Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra are Tulja Bhavani (Tuljapur), Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur), Renuka Devi (Mahur), and Saptashrungi (Vani).
Ashtavinayak consists of 8 self-manifested (Swayambhu) temples of Ganesha. Historically, Pune district houses 5 of these temples, Raigad houses 2, and Ahilyanagar houses 1.
Vitthal Rukmini Temple at Pandharpur is situated on the banks of the Bhima River, which is known locally as Chandrabhaga due to its crescent shape.
Temples at a glance
| Temple name | District | Taluka | Category | Deity | Established period | Famous festival | Religious significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trimbakeshwar Temple | Nashik | Trimbakeshwar | Jyotirlinga | Lord Shiva | 18th Century CE (Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao) | Maha Shivratri | One of the 12 Jyotirlingas; unique for its three-faced linga representing Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. |
| Bhimashankar Temple | Pune | Khed | Jyotirlinga | Lord Shiva | 13th Century CE (Nagara style; later modifications in 18th Century) | Maha Shivratri | One of the 12 Jyotirlingas; associated with Lord Shiva defeating the demon Tripurasura. |
| Grishneshwar Temple | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | Khuldabad | Jyotirlinga | Lord Shiva | 18th Century CE (Ahilyabai Holkar) | Maha Shivratri | One of the 12 Jyotirlingas; believed to be the last or 12th Jyotirlinga on earth. |
| Aundha Nagnath Temple | Hingoli | Aundha Nagnath | Jyotirlinga | Lord Shiva | 13th Century CE (Seuna/Yadava dynasty) | Mahashivratri Yatra | Believed to be the 8th Jyotirlinga; associated with saints Namdev, Visoba Khechara and Jnyaneshwar. |
| Parli Vaijnath Temple | Beed | Parli | Jyotirlinga | Lord Shiva | 18th Century CE (Ahilyabai Holkar) | Maha Shivratri | Considered one of the Jyotirlingas; associated with Lord Shiva acting as a Vaidya (physician) and Amrita (nectar) storage. |
| Moreshwar Temple | Pune | Baramati | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | Bahmani/Maratha Period (14th–17th Century CE) | Ganesh Chaturthi | First Ganesha temple in the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage circuit; Ganesha is depicted riding a peacock (Mayura). |
| Siddhatek Siddhivinayak Temple | Ahmednagar | Karjat | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | 18th Century CE (Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt) | Ganesh Chaturthi | The only Ashtavinayak deity with the trunk turned to the right (Siddhi-Vinayak). Believed to be where Lord Vishnu defeated the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. |
| Ballaleshwar Temple | Raigad | Sudhagad | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | reconstructed in 1770 CE (Nana Phadnavis era) | Ganesh Utsav | The only Ganesha temple named after a devotee (Ballal). Represents Ganesha as a child protector. |
| Varadvinayak Temple | Raigad | Khalapur | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | rebuilt in 1725 CE (Peshwa Ramji Mahadeo Biwalkar) | Ganesh Utsav | Known as "Varad-Vinayak" (the giver of boons). An oil lamp (Nandadeep) has been burning continuously since 1892. |
| Chintamani Temple | Pune | Haveli | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | 17th Century CE (Madhavrao Peshwa reconstruction) | Ganesh Utsav | Believed to be where Ganesha retrieved the wish-granting Chintamani jewel for Sage Kapila. Brings peace of mind. |
| Girijatmaj Temple | Pune | Junnar | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | 1st–3rd Century CE (Temple converted from Buddhist Cave in 17th Century) | Ganesh Utsav | The only Ashtavinayak temple located in a cave (Cave 7 of Lenyadri group). Girijatmaj means "born of Girija (Parvati)". |
| Vighnahar Temple | Pune | Junnar | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | 18th Century CE (Peshwa Chimaji Appa renovation) | Ganesh Utsav | Known as "Vighnahar" (remover of obstacles). Associated with defeating the demon Vighnasura. |
| Mahaganapati Temple | Pune | Shirur | Ashtavinayak | Lord Ganesha | 10th Century CE (Shikhara built by Peshwas in 18th Century) | Ganesh Utsav | Represents Ganesha in his most powerful form (Maha-Ganapati) created to defeat the demon Tripurasura. |
| Tulja Bhavani Temple | Dharashiv | Tuljapur | Shakti Peetha | Goddess Bhavani | 12th Century CE (Kadam Dynasty; later patronized by Bhonsles) | Navratri | One of the three and a half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. Goddess Bhavani is the family deity (Kuladevi) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. |
| Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur | Kolhapur | Karveer | Shakti Peetha | Goddess Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) | 7th Century CE (Chalukya Dynasty / Shilahara Period) | Kiranotsav (Sun Festival) | One of the core Shakti Peethas of India. Highly revered in Puranas; known as Karveer Kashi. |
| Renuka Devi Temple Mahur | Nanded | Mahur | Shakti Peetha | Goddess Renuka | Yadava / Rashtrakuta Period (Later rebuilt by Gond Kings) | Navratri Yatra | One of the three and a half Shakti Peethas. Believed to be the birthplace of Lord Parashurama. |
| Saptashrungi Devi Temple | Nashik | Kalwan | Shakti Peetha | Goddess Saptashrungi | Ancient (Rebuilt in Maratha / Peshwa Period) | Chaitraotsav | Considered the "Half" Shakti Peetha among the 3.5 Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. The deity is an 8-foot tall monolithic carving on the hill rock with 18 arms. |
| Shirdi Sai Baba Temple | Ahmednagar | Rahata | Pilgrimage | Saint Sai Baba | Early 20th Century (1922 CE built by Shreemant Gopalrao Booty) | Ram Navami | One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India; houses the Samadhi (tomb) and an iconic white marble statue of Sai Baba. |
| Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai | Mumbai | Mumbai City | Pilgrimage | Lord Ganesha | 1801 CE (Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil) | Angaraki Chaturthi | A highly popular temple dedicated to Ganesha with the trunk turned to the right. Known for fulfilling wishes. |
| Khandoba Temple Jejuri | Pune | Purandar | Historic | Lord Khandoba | 17th–18th Century CE (Peshwa and Holkar Era expansions) | Somvati Amavasya | Chief deity of the pastoralists and Marathas; Lord Khandoba is a warrior incarnation of Lord Shiva. |
| Vitthal Rukmini Temple Pandharpur | Solapur | Pandharpur | Pilgrimage | Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini | 12th–13th Century CE (Hoysala / Yadava Dynasties) | Ashadhi Ekadashi Wari | The focal point of the Varkari sect of Maharashtra. Lord Vitthal stands on a brick (veet) thrown by devotee Pundalik. |
The map above is a simplified educational schematic. Location coordinates, alignments, and boundaries are approximate representations for study purposes.