Pilgrim’s Paradise 2 ~~~ Sapta Shringi Garh

Sapta Shringi Garh:
Shree Sapta (Seven) Shringi (Peaks) Devi temple is located at Vani near Nasik in Maharashtra. Vani is a small village, around 60 kms away from Nasik. It takes around one & half hour from Nasik to Vani. As you approach towards the temple a large rocky hill greets you. This is SaptaShringi Hill.

Since the temple is located on a mountain with 7 (Sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (Shrungi-in Sanskrit), the goddess is known by name SaptaShringi Nivasini (one who lives on a mountain with 7 peaks) or SaptaShringi Mata (Mother of Seven peaks). The goddess who is worshipped in the holy temple is known as SaptaShringi Devi of Vani. The Goddess possessed 18 weapons in 18 hands and is positioned ready to fight the demons.

This temple is one among the 51 Shakti Peeths located on the Indian subcontinent (India and Pakistan).The Devi is said be Swayambhu (self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain.

Idol of Goddess: SaptaShringi Goddess is known as Khandesi’s Goddess. The idol of the Goddess is set at a height, so that she can be seen from a distance too. The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands (9 pair of arms), holding various weapons in all the 18 hands. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in the Hindu religion.

Her sparkling eyes, slightly inflated nostrils wearing Nath (an ornament to be worn in the nose) look very attractive. Every Monday, Wednesday, full moon day and during Navaratri the temple is crowded with thousands of devotees/ pilgrims . The Goddess is offered coconuts and saris (generally 11 meter sari is used to cover goddess).

Story behind this: A story in this connection is that Demon Mahishasur was creating problem for Markendaya Rishi. Markendaya had made a Holy Fire to eliminate him. The Goddess emerged with 9 pairs of arms holding different weapons from the holy fire and eliminated the Demon. Hence the name Mahishasur Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, who took the form of a buffalo.

At the foot of the hill, from where one starts climbing the steps, there is the head of a buffalo, made is stone, and believed to be that of the demon. It is believed that the Devi Mahatmya, a sacred book which extols the greatness of Devi and her exploits was composed at this place by the sage Markandeya, who performed rigorous penance on a hill opposite the one on which the Devi resides, which is now named after him as Markandeya Hill.

In front of the temple there stands Markandeya Rishi's (sage) hill. The SaptaShringi Gad is full of a variety of trees having medicinal worth. As per the story depicted in Ramayana, Hanuman carried the herbal medicine (Sanjivani Buti) for wounded Laxmana from this hill. There are about 108 water reservoirs on the hill, known as Kundas.









Significance of the Holy Flag:The Holy Flag of Goddess Bhagawati flutters in the north of Sapta Shringi Garh. Hoisting of the Flag is a privilege of a particular family. The ritual of Flag hoisting on a specific day is witnessed by thousands of devotees. People believe that the Goddess fulfills their wishes. So this place is frequented by devotees throughout the year.

Sheetakada: As you go a little further from the temple there is a peak called Sheetkada and a deep valley. It is approximately 1500 feet deep. An anecdote attached to this place goes like this. A lady prayed and urged Goddess Bhagawati to give her a son. If her wish was fulfilled by the Goddess, as a gesture of gratitude, she offered to jump in the valley, sitting in a bullock-cart. It is said that since she got a son, the lady kept her promise and did jump along with her son sitting in a bullock-cart in the valley. The marks of bullock-cart are still visible on the Sheetkada. The Sheetakada is at the height of approximately 4638 feet from the sea level. The Goddess Bhagawati is also called as Vani Goddess.


Getting there: As the temple is situated on a mountain, a regular bus service is provided from Nanduri Village which is situated at the foothills of Saptshringi Garh mountain to the temple. The temple, which sort of sticks to the cliff, is 1230 meters above sea level. There is an old path with steps cut out of the mountain, which starts right at the foothills, at Vani and goes all the way to the mountain.

However, now, a motor able road has been built, which goes up to an altitude of 1150 meters. The road to the temple is zig - zag and climbs around 11 kms till it reaches the top to SaptaShringi village. From this place one has to climb 470 steps to reach the shrine, which only takes about thirty minutes. For those who cannot climb even this/ having difficulties climbing the steps, there are “Dolis” (chairs carried by 4 people) available at Rs.200/- for the two-way trip.

Walking trails initiates from Nanduri village.

The journey to the temple also has some interesting sights to offer. On the way, you can stop at the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI) or at Sitakund at Mhasrul village. This is the site where Goddess Sita the wife of Rama used to bath. This destination is filled with stories and legends connected to the Ramayana.

Facilities: Of late, this place has been renovated. Railings on the road side have been constructed. The staircase has been covered to protect devotees from sun and rain. Two separate routes for going up and coming down are built. To take rest while climbing the 470 steps, benches at certain intervals have been placed. For a night's halt, Dharmashala (caravansary) is arranged by the Trustees.

They make blankets and mattresses available to the visitors. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has built rest houses there. Literature about the Goddess, photos, coconuts and sari’s for offering to the Goddess are available. Priests help tourists to perform Puja. Low cost but clean food is also available in the Priest's houses.

Monkeys guiding me on d way @ Markandeya hill during trekking & Aerial view frm top of Markandeya hill(4638+6 feet)-->









Karpur Kundal & Main Dwaar of the Temple -->









Holy Symbol of Shakti @ the beginning of staircase & 470 steps to reach to Holy Shrine->