Goddess Bhavanimata of Tuljapur is the only Goddess of Maharashtra. The practice of going to Tuljapur at least once a year and having darshan of the goddess is still practiced in many households. But those who comes to Tuljapur they does not know about their tradition.
Introduction to various traditions of Tuljabhavani Mata
Shri Shretra Tuljapur is Mata Tuljabhavani’s Shakti Peeth. Throughout the year, devotees flock towards Tuljapur. Devotees coming from outside know only certain things about Tulja Bhavani temple and surroundings. But if we look beyond this, Tuljapurkars have preserved many such traditions. Upon hearing about it, the newcomer feels intrigued.
Of the three and a half Shakti Peethas, only the idol of Sri Tuljabhavani can be easily removed from its place and just as easily placed back. So, three times in a year Tuljabhavani Mata removed from throne and laid down on a bed which called as Nidrakal of Shri Tuljabhavani Mata.
Nidrakal of Shri Tuljabhavani Mata –
- Bhadrapada Vadya Ashtami (भाद्रपद वद्य अष्टमी)
- Ashwin Shuddha Ekadashi (आश्विन शुद्ध एकादशी)
- Poush Shuddha Pratipada (पौष शुद्ध प्रतिपदा)
The sleep of the goddess known as Ghoranidra, Shramanidra and Sukhnidra is practiced in the same tradition even today. No other god can be so easily lifted and put to sleep.
Among the three and a half Shaktipeethas in Maharashtra, Tulja Bhavani Mata is the highest and is the Kuldaivat of many people including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bhosle family. The idol of Tuljabhavani Mata is a movable idol made of black stone, generally 2×3.15 inches in size and placed in a niche on the throne in the core of the temple. According to iconography, though the idols of Kolhapur and Tuljapur have some similarities, the idol of Tuljabhavani Mata is completely a Chalamurti, i.e. it is taken out of the festival and placed back in the same place.
Deity of Heroes (Veer) among the three and a half Shaktipeethas in Maharashtra, Sri Tuljabhavani Mata of Tuljapur, Mahalakshmi Mata of Kolhapur, Renuka Mata of Mahur are full Shaktipeethas and Saptshringi Mata of Vani is known as half peethas. As Tuljabhavani is Mahishamardini, that is why she is called as the deity of heroes (Veer). Also, Tulja Bhavani Mata gained special importance as she was the patron deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bhosale family. That is why there are Tuljabhavani Mata’s temples at Kolhapur, Mahur and Vani temples. As she is the Kuldaivat main deity of most of the people in India there is a deluge of devotees here throughout the year.
Special Pooja’s and Tradition of Tuljabhavani Mata
Early morning Charantirtha, morning and evening Abhishek Mahapuja’s and night Prakshal Puja and other actual Pujas of Sri Tuljabhavani Mata are performed. On some special events like Dusshera the timings of Poojas will be changed.
| Time of Pooja | Pooja Information |
|---|---|
| Early Morning – 04:00am | Charantirth Pooja |
| Morning – 06:00am | Morning’s Abhishek Pooja Starts |
| Morning – 09:00am | Morning’s Abhishek Pooja Ends |
| Morning – 10:45am | Tuljabhavani Mata Arti and Naivedyam |
| Evening – 07:00pm | Evening’s Abhishek Pooja Starts |
| Evening – 09:00pm | Evening’s Abhishek Pooja Ends |
| Evening – 09:45pm | Tuljabhavani Mata Arti and Prakshal Pooja |
| Night – 10:30pm | Temple Close |
Tulja Bhavani Mata Navratra and Palanquin Importance
Tulja Bhavani Temple is situated in a valley at Chinchpur in Yamunachal Pradesh in Balaghat hill range. Tulja Bhavani means that moment that immediately runs to the call of devotees.
There are two Navratri Festivals of Tuljabhavani Mata celebrated at Tuljapur/Tuljabhavani Temple.
- Shardiya Navratri (शारदीय नवरात्र)
- Shakambhari Navratri (शाकंभरी नवरात्र)
To celebrate Dussehra’s Seemollanghan, the procession is taken out by placing the goddess in a special palanquin. Three times in a year the idol of Tulja Bhavani is placed on a special bed for sleep. Although the Pujaris performs the Puja of Tulja Bhavani Mata throughout the year, the honor of bringing the palanquin belongs to the Bhagat family of Bhingar family which belongs to Ahamadnagar. Traditionally, the neck of the front shoulders of the palanquin belongs to the people of Agalgaon Gor Mali in Barshi, Solapur. Along with this, the Jankoji Teli (Bhagat) family near the city has the honor of bringing the palanquin in which the goddess is carried. During the medieval period, Jankoji Teli of Bhingar set fire to his house while coming to Tuljapur. He died on the way while coming to Tuljapur. Pleased with his devotion, the custom of Devi going every year in an Teli’s palanquin to play Seemollanghan continues even today. Although the honor of bringing the palanquin to Tulja Bhavani is tarnished, the honor of actually making the palanquin goes to the Rahurikars. People from all walks of life are included in making the palanquin. The carpentry, blacksmithing and dyeing of the palanquin are done at Rahuri. The bed on which the Goddess sleeps during her sleep is provided by a Teli family called Palange in Ahmednagar. While the task of making beds is done by the Thakur house in Mango village-Ghodegaon. A month before Dussehra, this bed-washer comes to Tuljapur from Ahmednagar, Solapur district. The special thing is that Tuljabhavani’s bed is kept in front of Shivneri fort while going to Junnar.
