Jyotiba Temple

(Click on the photos for the larger images and you will see the intricate artistry, which went into them)

Jyotiba Temple (Marathi: ज्योतिबा) is a holy site of Hinduism near Wadi Ratnagiri [1] in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra state in western India. The deity of the temple is known by the same name, and is held by the locals to be an incarnation of three gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha, and Jamadagni.

In Hindu mythology, Jamadagni (or Jamdagni, Sanskrit: जमदग्नि) is one of the Saptarishis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the seventh, current Manvantara. He is the father of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu. He was a descendant of the sage Bhrigu, one of the Prajapatis created by Brahma, the God of Creation. Jamadagni had five children with wife Renuka, the youngest of whom was Parashurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Jamadagni was well versed in the scriptures and weaponry without formal instruction. “Jamadagni is an avatar of Lord Shiva“.

An annual fair takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakha.

This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This is also called Kedarnath and Wadi Ratnagiri.

Sunday is sacred to Lord Jyotiba.