Today is Maha Shivaratri. An auspicious occasion to worship & find blessings of Lord Shiva.
According to Hindu mythology, the trio of gods has distinct roles.
Brahma created the universe.
Vishnu preserves that,
& Shiva is the destroyer.
However, despite this harsh role, Lord Shiva is notably kind & naive. Always ready to grant any wish of a faithful devotee, and not worried about the consequences!
It’s a timely instance to present a prominent Shiv temple in Maharashtra’s Satara district.
It is approx. at 140 km distance from Pune.
The place assumes particular significance.
The heroic warrior & founder of the Maratha Empire - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was also a devout worshiper of lord Shiva. He used to frequent this spot many a time.
Even now, the location belongs to a private trust of his descendants, the Bhosale family.
The temple is a small fortress on the top of a hillock.
The road to the destination routes through a winding pass called “Mungi Ghat”.
The view of the drive during the monsoons is utterly fascinating.
The colorful dome promptly seizes the attention as we approach.
You will find the place to be continually full of devotees. The queue to reach the inner altar may extend over a moderate distance.
However, once inside, one will experience the peace and serenity & bow in front of the lord instantly.