Famous Temples in Maharashtra: List of 8 Must Know Hindu Maharashtra Temples
Maharashtra is the second most populous state and the third largest by area. It is the most wealthiest and industrialized state in India and includes World heritage Sites Ajanta and Ellora and numerous forts that describe the life of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The history of Maharashtra dates back to the 4th century and since then it was home to various tribes and communities including Naga, Munda, Bhil and Aparanta. Maharashtra saw rule by several dynasties including the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavs and finally the Marathas. Due to its rich history, it is now famous for its grand monuments andtemples. Here is the list of the most famous temples in Maharashtra:
Also See: Mumbai Temples List | Pune Temples List
Temples in Maharashtra You Must Visit
1. Harihareshwar Temple
This temple is nestled in the high mountains of the Western Ghats and is one of the few unchanged temples with its beauty intact. Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and Lord Yogeshwari are the presiding deities in this temple. Harihar hills form the backdrop of the temple which make for a stunning view.
- Temple Timings: 05:00 am – 12 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:15 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Vishnu
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 1 to 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport | Nearest railway station is Mangaon
2. Marleshwar temple
It is a cave temple in the Ratnagri district of Maharashtra. It is surrounded by the scenic Sahayadri Range of mountains and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to sources, the temple was built by lord Parashuram and the Shiva lingam inside is surrounded by snakes that don’t harm anybody. Dhareshwar waterfall is also popular with tourists, making trekkers out of everybody who visits.
- Temple Timings: 07:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Shiva
- Best Time to Visit: 10:00 am
- Time Taken: 2 to 3 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is ChattrapatiShivaji International Airport | Nearest railway station is Sangameshwar and Ratnagri
3. Hedvi Ganesh Temple
It is made up of white marble that was sourced from Kashmir and was made during the reign of Peshwas. The idol has ten hands and is nearly 10 feet tall which looks marvellous when seen from the nearby beach and is a popular temple in the Konkan region.
- Temple Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Ganesha
- Best Time to Visit: Oct-May
- Time Taken: 1- 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Pune International Airport | Nearest railway station is Chiplun
Also See: Hyderabad Temples List
4. Velneshwar Temple
It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple has many shrines dedicated to lord Vishnu, Ganesha and Kala Bhairav. Itwas first made by the Gadgils and was later renovated by Sri TimbakRavaji Gokhale. In the main sanctum of the building, numerous mythological carvings in the wall and paintings can be found.
- Temple Timings: 6:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Shiva and Parvati
- Best Time to Visit: Oct-May
- Time Taken: 1- 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Mumbai Airport | Nearest railway station is Chiplun
5. Moreshwar Temple
The temple is one of the first Ashta Vinayak Temples of Lord Ganesha in Pune. The Ganpata Saint MoryaGosavi helped built this temple. It is built with black stones and has four gates and was said to be patronaged by the Peshwas. The presiding deity is Ganesha in the form of Lord Mayureshwar made of alloy of five metals and the temple has four minarets and a 50 feet tall wall making it appear sacred and majestic.
- Temple Timings: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Ganesha
- Best Time to Visit: Oct-May
- Time Taken: 1- 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Lohegaon Airport | Nearest railway station is Jejuri
6. Ranjangaon Mahaganpati Temple
It was constructed in the 9th or 10th century and made by the Peshwas. Madhavrao Peshwa made a room in the basement of the temple to keep the idol of Lord Ganesh. It was later renovated by SaradraKibe. According to sources, Lord Shiva himself sought the blessings of Ganesh here and later went on to destroy Tripurasur. The sun rays fall directly on the idol as the aesthetically rich temple faces east.
- Temple Timings: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Ganesha
- Best Time to Visit: Oct-May
- Time Taken: 1- 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Pune Airport | Nearest railway station is Yevat
Also See: Andhra Pradhesh Temples List
7. Trimbakeshwar Temple
At the foothills of Brahmgiri Mountains in Nasik and near the banks of River Godavri is the temple of Trimbakeshwar. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva and was built by Sri Nana Saheb Peshwa in 1755-1786 AD. It has one of the few Jyotirlinga’s in the world which has all three faces of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Rudra and has crown studded which precious stones that belong to the Pandavas.
- Temple Timings: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, 05:30 to 8:00 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Lord Shiva
- Best Time to Visit: Oct-May
- Time Taken: 1- 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Nashik Airport | Nearest railway station is Padli
8. Shirdi Temple
It is one of the most popular places to visit in Maharashtra and is famous for its shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba. It was constructed in the 20th Century and according to sources, Shirdi Sai Baba came here when he was 16 years old and stayed here till his death in 1918. He transformed this village into a pilgrimage site with his selfless love, kindness and devotion.
- Temple Timings: 4:00 am to 12:00 pm, 04:30 to 11:15 pm
- Main Gods Worshipped: Shirdi Sai Baba
- Best Time to Visit: Oct-May
- Time Taken: 1- 2 hours
- How to Reach: Nearest Airport is Auragabad Airport | Nearest railway station is Kopargaon
