Khandoba

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Khandoba
Khandoba (center) in his four armed form, the two metal images depict him with his wives. The sanctum of the newer Jejuri temple.
Devanagari	खंडोबा
Sanskrit Transliteration	Khaṇḍobā
Affiliation	Avatar of Shiva
Weapon	Trishula, Sword
Consort	Mhalsa and Banai
Mount	Horse

Khandoba, (Marathi: खंडोबा Kannada: ಖಂಡೋಬಾ, Khaṇḍobā) also known asMartanda Bhairava and Malhari, is a Hindu god, worshipped as a form ofShiva, mainly in the Deccan plateau of India, especially in the states ofMaharashtra and Karnataka. He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra.^[1] He is also the patron deity of warrior, farming, herding as well as some Brahmin (priest) castes, the hunters and gatherers of the hills and forests. The cult of Khandoba has linkages with Vaishnava and Jaintraditions, and also assimilates all communities irrespective of caste, including Muslims. Khandoba is sometimes identified with Mallanna ofAndhra Pradesh and Mailara of Karnataka. The worship of Khandoba developed during the 9th and 10th centuries from a folk deity into a composite god possessing the attributes of Shiva, Bhairava, Surya andKarttikeya (Skanda). He is depicted either in the form of a Lingam, or as an image riding on a bull or a horse. The foremost centre of Khandoba worship is Jejuri in Maharashtra. The legends of Khandoba, found in the text Malhari Mahatmya and also narrated in folk songs, revolve around his victory over demons Mani-malla and his marriages.

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Etymology and other names[edit]

The name "Khandoba" comes from the words "khadga" (sword), the weapon used by Khandoba to kill the demons, and "ba" (father). "Khanderaya" means "king Khandoba". Another variant is "Khanderao", where the suffix "rao" (king) is used.

In Sanskrit texts, Khandoba is known as Martanda Bhairava, a combination of the solar deity Martanda and Shiva's fierce form Bhairava. The name "Mallari" or "Malhari" is split as "Malla" and "ari" (enemy), thus meaning "enemy of the demon Malla". Malhari Mahatmya records Martanda Bhairava, pleased with the bravery of Malla, takes the name "Mallari" (the enemy of Malla).^[2] Other variants include Malanna (Mallanna) and Mailara (Mailar).

Other names include Khandu Gavda, Mhalsa-kant ("husband of Mhalsa") and Jejurica Vani.^[3]

Iconography[edit]

Khandoba and Mhalsa killing demons Mani-Malla — a popularoleograph, c.1880.

In a popular oleograph representation of Khandoba,^[4] Mhalsa is seated in front of Khandoba on his white horse. Mhalsa is piercing a demon's chest with a spear, while a dog is biting his thigh and the horse is hitting his head. The other demon is grabbing the reins of the horse and attacking Khandoba with a club as Khandoba is dismounting the horse and attacking the demon with his sword. In other representations, Khandoba is seen seated on a horse with the heads of demons trod under the horse's hooves or their heads under Khandoba's knees.^[5]

In murtis (idols), Khandoba or Mailara is depicted as having four arms, carrying adamaru (drum), Trishula (trident), Bhandara-patra (turmeric powder-filled bowl) and khadga (sword). Khandoba's images are often dressed as a Maratha Sardar,^[6] or a Muslim pathan. Often, Khandoba is depicted as a warrior seated on horseback with one or both of his wives and accompanied with one or more dogs.^[7] He is also worshipped as the aniconic Lingam, the symbol of Shiva.^[8]Often in Khandoba temples, both representations of Khandoba — the aniconic lingam and the anthropomorphic horseback form.^[7]

Legends[edit]

Legends of Khandoba generally tell about the battle between the deity and demons Malla and Mani. The principle written source of the legend is Malhari Mahatmya (Mallari Mahatmya), which claims to be from the chapter Kshetra-kanda of the Sanskrit text Brahmanda Purana, but is not included in standard editions of the Purana.^[9] R.C. Dhere and Sontheimer suggests that the Sanskrit Mahatmya was composed around 1460-1510 AD, mostly by a Deshastha Brahmin, to whom Khandoba is the family deity.^[10] A version is also available in Marathi by Siddhapal Kesasri (1585).^[11] Other sources include the later texts of Jayadri Mahatmya and Martanda Vijaya by Gangadhara (1821)^[12] and the oral stories of the Vaghyas, bards of the god.^[13]

The Jejuri temple of Khandoba. Mani is seen worshipped as a red figure

The legend tell of the demon Malla and his younger brother Mani, who had gained the boon of invincibility from Brahma, creating chaos on the earth and harassing the sages. When the seven sages approached Shiva for protection after Indra andVishnu confessed their incapability, Shiva assumed the form (Avatar) of Martanda Bhairava, as the Mahatmya calls Khandoba, riding the Nandi bull, leading an army of the gods. Martanda Bhairava is described as shining like the gold and sun, covered in turmeric, three-eyed, with a crescent moon on his forehead.^[14] The demon army was slaughtered by the gods and finally Khandoba killed Malla and Mani. While dying, Mani offers his white horse to Khandoba as an act of repentance and asks for a boon. The boon is that he be present in every shrine of Khandoba, that human-kind is bettered and that he be given an offering of goat flesh. The boon was granted, and thus he was transformed into a demigod. Malla, when asked by the deity if he asked for a boon, asks for the destruction of the world and human-flesh. Angered by the demon's request, Khandoba decapitates him, and his head falls at the temple stairs where it will trampled by devotees' feet. The legend further describes how two Lingas appeared at Prempuri, the place where the demons were killed.^[15]^[16]

Oral stories continue the process of Sanskritization of Khandoba — his elevation from a folk deity to Shiva, a deity of the classical Hindu pantheon — that was initiated by the texts. Khandoba's wives Mhalsa and Banai are also identified with Shiva's classical Hindu wives Parvati and Ganga. Hegadi Pradhan, the minister and brother-in-law of Khandoba and brother of Lingavat Vani Mhalsa,^[17] the faithful dog that helps Khandoba kill the demons, the horse given by Mani and the demon brothers are considered avatars of Vishnu, Krishna, Nandi and the demons Madhu-Kaitabha respectively. Other myth variants narrate that Khandoba defeats a single demon named Manimalla, who offers his white horse, sometimes called Mani, to the god.^[18] Other legends depict Mhalsa (or Parvati) and Banai or Banu (or Ganga) as futilely helping Khandoba in the battle to collect the blood of Mani, every drop of which was creating a new demon. Finally, the dog of Khandoba swallows all the blood. Sometimes, Mhalsa, or rarely Banai, is described as seated behind Khandoba on the horse and fighting with a sword or spear.^[19]

The legends portray Khandoba as a king who rules from his fortress of Jejuri and holds court where he distributes gold. Also, king Khandoba goes on hunting expeditions, which often turn into "erotic adventures", and subsequent marriages.^[20]

Wives[edit]

Khandoba with his two chief wives: Mhalsa and Banai.

Khandoba has many wives who are women from many communities, who serve as cultural links between the god and the communities. He has five wives, Mhalsaand Banai/Banu/Banubai being the most important.^[20] While Khandoba's first wife Mhalsa is from the high caste Lingayat merchant (Vani) community, his second wife Banai is a Dhangar (shepherd caste). Mhalsa has had a regular ritualistic marriage with Khandoba. Banai, on the other hand, has a love marriage by capture with the god. Mhalsa is described as ugly, jealous and a good cook; Banai is erotic, resolute, but does not even know to cook. Often folk songs tell of their quarrels. Mhalsa represents "culture" and Banai "nature". The god king Khandoba stands between them.^[21]

Mhalsa is believed to be a combined avatara of Mohini and Parvati. Mhalsa was born as the daughter of a rich merchant in Newase called Timshet. On the dinine orders of Khandoba in a dream to Timshet, she was married to Khandoba onPausha Pournima(the full moon day of Hindu calendar month of Paush) in Pali(Pembar). Two shivlingas appeared on this occasion. An annual festival marking this event is celebrated in Pali every Paush Pournima.

Banai is believed to the daughter of Indra, the king of the gods. Banai was found by Dhangar shepherd, when she was abandoned on earth by an angry Indra. When Banai grew up, it was predicted that she would get her match at Jejuri. There, she felt in love with God Khandoba. Khandoba also felt in her love. Khandoba accepted a self-exile for 12 years by intentionally losing a game of chess(Saripat) to his wife Mhalsa. He took disguise of shepherd and started serving Banai's father. One day, Khandoba killed all the sheep and goats of Banai' father and promised to make them alive again if he was married to Banai. The reluctant Banai was married to Khandoba, the shepherd in disguise at Naldurg. Khandoba revealed his real form to Banai on their way back to Jejuri.

On reaching Jejuri, Khandoba was greeted by Mhalsa's fury and her strong protest of his second marriage. To avoid the quarrels of his wives, Khandoba gave the upper half of the hill to Mhalsa and the lower half to Banai. The idol of Mhalsa is placed with Khandoba in the main shrine at top of the hill at Jejuri. A separate shrine to Banai is situated halfway down the hill.

Khandoba's third wife, Rambhai Shimpin, is a tailor woman who was a heavenly nymph or devangana and is sometimes identified with Banai. She is a prototype of the Muralis — the girls "married" to Khandoba. Rambhai is worshipped as a goddess whom Khandoba visits after his hunt. She is also localised, being said to come from the village from Belsare, near Jejuri. The fourth wife Phulai Malin, from the gardener or Mali caste, She was a particular Murali and is thus a deified devotee of Khandoba. She is visited by him at "Davna Mal" (field of southernwood, a herb said to be dear to Khandoba). The fifth wife, Candai Bhagavin, is a Telin, a member of the oilpresser caste. She is recognised as a Muslim by the Muslims. Apart from these, Muralis — girls offered to Khandoba — are considered as wives or concubines of the god.^[22]^[23]

Other associations and identifications[edit]

A painting depicts Khandoba riding a white horse with Mhalsa, accompanied with a dog and attendants including a Waghya dancing before him.

Mallana (Mallikaarjuna) of Andhra Pradesh and Mailara of Karnataka are sometimes identified with Khandoba (Mallari, Malhari, Mairaj). Khandoba is also associated with Bhairava, who is connected with Brāhmanahatya (murder of a Brahmin).^[24] Devotees emphasize that Khandoba is a full avatar of Shiva, and not a partial avatar like Bhairava or Virabhadra. He accepts the attributes of the demon king — his horse, weapons and royal insignia.^[25]

Sontheimer stresses the association of Khandoba with clay andtermite mounds. Oral legends tell of Khandoba's murtis being found in termite mounds or "made of earth".^[26] According to Sontheimer, Martanda Bhairava (Khandoba) is a combination of the sun god Surya and Shiva, who is associated with the moon. Martanda ("blazing orb") is a name of Surya, while Bhairava is a form of Shiva.^[23]^[27] Sundays, gold and turmeric, which are culturally associated with the sun, form an important part of the rituals of Khandoba.^[23]^[27] Sontheimer associates the worship of the Sun as termite mounds for fertility and his role as a healer to Khandoba's role as granter of fertility in marriages and to the healing powers of turmeric, which the latter holds.^[27]

Another theory identifies Kartikeya (Skanda) with Khandoba.^[28] The hypotheses of the theory rests upon the similarities between Skanda and Khandoba, namely their association with mountains and war, similarity of their names and weapons (the lance of Skanda and the sword of Khandoba) and both having two principal wives.^[29] Other symbols associated with Khandoba are the dog and horse.^[30] Also the festivals for both deities, Champa Sashthi and Skanda Sashthi respectively for Khandoba and Skanda fall on the same day.^[31]

Worship[edit]

Khandoba in a household shrine (deoghar) of a Deshastha family

Though Shiva is worshipped across Maharashtra in his original form, some Maharashtrian communities prefer to worship him in form of his avatars, Khandoba being the most popular.^[32] He is the most popular Kuldevta (family deity) in Maharashtra.^[1] One of the most widely worshipped gods of the Deccanplateau, Khandoba is considered as "the premier god of Sakama bhakti (wish-granting devotion) and one of the most powerful deities responsive to vows (navas)".^[32] He is worshipped by the vast majority of Marathi Hindu people from all strata of that society. He is the patron deity of warrior, farming, herding as well as some Brahmin (priest) castes, the hunters and gatherers of the hills and forests, merchants and kings. The cult of Khandoba in the Deccan principally consists of peasant classes Marathas and Kunabis, shepherd Dhangars, village guards and watchmen Ramoshis — a "Denotified tribe",^[33]^[34] the former "untouchable" Mahars and Mangs, fisher-folkKolis, balutedar castes like gardeners (Mali) and tailors (Shimpi), though it also includes of a few Brahmins and even some Muslims.^[35]^[36] Although Brahmin presence is nominal in his cult, Deshastha Brahmins,^[24]^[37] as well as theKokanastha Brahmins - in Nashik and Satara - do worship Khandoba, some imitating the Deshastha Brahmins.^[38] The Deshastha Brahmins, Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhus,^[37] as well as the royal families like Gaikwads and Holkarsworship Khandoba as their Kuldevta. He is also worshipped by Jains and Lingayats. He is viewed as a "king" of his followers.^[39]

Rituals and modes of worship[edit]

Khandoba is believed to be a kadak (fierce) deity, who causes troubles if not propitiated properly as per the family duties.^[40] Khandoba is worshipped with Turmeric (Bhandār), Bel fruit-leaves, onions and other vegetables.^[41] The deity is offered puran poli - a sweet or a simpler dish called bharit rodga of onion and brinjal.^[42] Mostly a vegetarian naivedya(offering of food) is offered to Khandoba in the temples, though most devotees consider him a non-vegetarian and a goat flesh is offered to the deity outside the temple.^[4]

An important part of the Khandoba-cult is navas, a vow to perform service to the god in return for a boon of good harvest, male child, financial success etc. On fulfilment of the navas, Khandoba was offered children or some devotees would afflict pain by hook-swinging or fire-walking.^[43] This type of worship using navas is called Sakama Bhakti - worship done with an expectation of return and is considered "to be of a lower esteem".^[44] But the most faithful bhaktas (devotees) are considered to be greedy only for the company of their Lord, Khandoba is also called bhukela - hungry for such truebhaktas in Martanda Vijaya.^[45]

A Vaghya, the bard of Khandoba

Boys called Vāghyā (or Waghya, literally "tigers") and girls called Muraḹi were formerly dedicated to Khandoba, but now the practice of marrying girls to Khandoba is illegal.^[41] The Vaghyas act as the bards of Khandoba and identify themselves with the dogs of Khandoba, while Muralis act as his courtesans (devanganas — nymphs or devadasis). The Vaghyas and their female counterparts Muralis sing and dance in honour of Khandoba and narrate his stories on jagarans — all night song-festivals, which are sometimes held afternavas fulfilment.^[43] Another custom was ritual-suicide by Viras (heroes) in the cult.^[46] According to legend, an "untouchable" Mang (Matanga) sacrificed himself for the foundation of the temple at Jejuri to persuade Khandoba to stay at Jejuri forever.^[45] Other practices in the cult include the belief that Khandoba possesses the body of a Vaghya or devrsi (shaman).^[47]^[48] Another ritual in the cult is an act of chain-breaking in fulfilment of a vow or an annual family rite; the chain is identified with the snake around Shiva's neck, which was cut by the demons in the fight.^[30] Another rite associated with the family duties to please Khandoba is the tali bharne, which is to be performed every full moon day. A tali (dish) is filled with coconuts, fruits, betel nuts, saffron, turmeric (Bhandar) and Bel leaves. Then, a coconut is placed on a pot filled with water and the pot is worshipped as an embodiment of Khandoba. Then, five persons lift the tali, place it repeatedly on the pot thrice, saying "Elkot" or "Khande rayaca Elkot". Then the coconut in the tali is broken and mixed with sugar or jaggery and given to friends and relatives. A gondhal is performed along with the tali bharne.^[49] A gondhal is a ritualistic folk art in which the performer Gondhalis invoke the deities.

Khandoba is considered as the giver of fertility. Maharashtrian Hindu couples are expected to visit a Khandoba temple to obtain Khandoba's blessing on consummation of marriage. Traditional Maharashtrian families also organize a jagaran as part of the marriage ceremony, inviting the god to the marriage.^[7] Copper figurines of Khandoba riding on a horse (sometimes with Mhalsa) are worshipped by devotees on a daily basis in the household shrine.

The Sanskrit Malhari Mahatmya suggests offerings of incense, lights, betel and animals to Khandoba. The Marathi version mentions offerings of meat and the worship by chedapatadi - "causing themselves to be cut", hook-swinging and self-mortification by viras. Marathi version calls this form of bhakti (devotion) as ugra (violent, demonic) bhakti. Martanda vijayanarrates about Rakshashi bhakti (demonic worship) by animal sacrifice and self — torture. Possession by Khandoba, in form of a wind, is lower demonic worship (pishachi worship). Sattvic worship, the purest form of worship, is believed to be feeding Khandoba in form of a Brahmin.^[12]

Muslim veneration[edit]

Khandoba is also a figure of respect and worship to Muslims, and this affiliation is visible in the style of his temples. He is called Mallu or Ajmat Khan (Rautray) by Muslim devotees, and many times portrayed as being a Muslim himself in this context.^[50] The latter is believed to conferred upon by the Mughal invader king Aurangzeb, who was forced to flee from Jejuri by Khandoba's power.^[44] Some of these distinguishing Muslim features include his usual appearance as that of aPaṭhān on horseback, one of his wives being a Muslim, and that his horse-keeper is a Muslim in Jejuri. The Mārtaṇḍa Vijaya expressly states that his devotees are mainly Muslims. The worship of Khandoba had received royal patronage byIbrahim II, which consisted of the reinstatement of the annual jatra and the right of pilgrims to perform rituals at the Naldurg temple.^[50] Malhari Mahatmya even records Muslims (mleccha) as the god's bhaktas (devotees), who call him asMalluka Pathan or Mallu Khan.^[51] In Jejuri, a Muslim family traditionally looks after the horses of the god.^[44]

Temples[edit]

Khandoba's newer Temple in Jejuri. Notice devotees showering turmeric powder (bhandara) on each other.

Khandoba with his wives at Mailar Mallanna temple, Khanapur near Bidar, Karnataka.

There are over 600 temples dedicated to Khandoba in the Deccan.^[32] His temples stretch from Nasik, Maharashtra in the north to Hubli, Karnataka in the south, Konkan, Maharashtra in the west to western Andhra Pradesh in the east. The eleven principal centres of worship of Khandoba or jagrut kshetras, where the deity is to be called awake or "jagrut", are recognized; six of them in Maharashtra and the rest in northern Karnataka.^[32]^[35] Khandoba's temples resemble forts, the capital of his kingdom being Jejuri. The priests here areGuravs, not Brahmins.^[6] His most important temples are:

Jejuri: The foremost center of worship of Khandoba.^[52] It is situated 48 km from Pune, Maharashtra. There are two temples: the first is an ancient temple known as Kadepathar. Kadepathar is difficult to climb. The second one is the newer and more famous Gad-kot temple, which is easy to climb. This temple has about 450 steps, 18 Kamani (arches) and 350Dipmalas (lamp-pillars). Both temples are fort-like structures.^[53]
Pali (Rajapur) or Pali-Pember, Satara district, Maharashtra.^[54]
Adi-mailar or Khanapur (Pember or Mailkarpur) near Bidar, Karnataka
Naldurg, Osmanabad district, Maharashtra.
Mailara Linga, Dharwad district, Karnataka.
Mangasuli, Belgaum district, Karnataka.
Maltesh or Mailara temple at Devaragudda, Dharwad district, Karnataka.
Mannamailar or Mailar, Bellary, Karnataka.
Nimgaon Dawadi, Pune district, Maharashtra.^[55]
Shegud, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.
Komarvali, Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh.
Satare, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra.

Festivals[edit]

A six-day festival, from the first to sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, in honour of Khandoba is celebrated at Jejuri, to commemorate the fight with demons Mani-Malla. On the sixth day (Champa-Shashthi), Khandoba is believed to have slew the demons.^[41] A jatra (temple festival and fair) is held in Pember on Champa-shasthi, and the festival continues until the day of the new moon.^[56] Another festival Somvati Amavasya, which is a new-moon day that falls on a Monday, is celebrated in Jejuri. A palakhi (palanquin) procession of Khandoba and Mhalsa's images is carried from the Gad-kot temple to the Karha river, where the images are ritually bathed.^[57]^[58]

Deshasth Brahmans and Marathas observe the Champasashthi festival every year in honour of Khandoba. The festival begins on the bright half of the Hindu month of Margshirsha. The images of Khandoba and Malla are cleaned and worshipped. For six days a fast is observed. On the seventh day the worshippers break their fast by a feast known as the Champasashtliiche parne. An invitation to this feast is regarded as an invitation from the god Khandoba himself and is harder to refuse.^[59]

In Pali-Pember, the ritual of the marriage of Khandoba with Mhalsa is annually performed. Turmeric is offered to the deities.^[46] Two festivals are celebrated in honour of Mailara, as Khandoba is known in Karnataka. These are the Dasarafestival at Devaragudda, and an eleven-day festival in Magha month (February–March) in Mailar, Bellary district. Both festivals have enactments of the battle between Mailar and the demons Mani-Malla.^[60] Chaitra Purnima (full-moon day) is also considered auspicious.^[61] In general, Sundays, associated with the sun-god, are considered as considered auspicious for Khandoba worship.^[62]

Development of the cult[edit]

The cult of Khandoba, a folk religion, reflects the effect of Vedic Rudra, the Puranic Shiva worshipped as Linga in Brahmanical religion and Nath and Lingayat sects.^[40] Khandoba may be a product of the Vedic Rudra, who like Khandoba was associated with robbers, horses and dogs.^[63] Sayana traces the name Malhari to Taittiriya Samhita, Malhari is explained as enemy (ari) of Malha (Prajapati) - an epithet of Rudra, who is considered a rival to deity Prajapati.^[64]According to Stanley, Khandoba originated as a mountain-top god, solar deity and a regional guardian and then assimilated into himself gods of various regions and communities.^[32] According to Stanley, Khandoba inherits traits from both the sun-god Surya as well as Shiva, who is identified with the moon. Stanley describes Khandoba as "a moon god, who has become a sun god", emphasizing on how the moon imagery of Shiva transforms into the solar iconography of Khandoba in the Malhari Mahatmya.^[23]

As per R. C. Dhere, two stone inscriptions in 1063 C.E. and 1148 C.E mentioning the folk deities Mailara and his consort Malavva which suggests that Mailara gained popularity in Karnataka in this period. Soon, royals of this region started erecting temples to this folk deity, upsetting the elite class of established religion who vilified Mailara. Initially exaulted by an incarnation of Shiva, Mailara was denouned by Basava, the founder of the Shiva-worshipping Lingayat sect - who would later promote the deity. Chakradhar Swami (c.1270, founder of Mahanubhava sect), Vidyaranyaswami, Sheikh Muhammad also criticized the god.^[65] The Varkari poet-saint Eknath also wrote "disparagingly" about Khandoba's cult worship,^[44] but after him, the "open" criticism of Khandoba stopped, but the "barbaric" practices of his cult were still targeted.^[65]

Sontheimer suggests that the cult of Khandoba is at least older than 12th century, which can be determined by references in Jain and Lingayat texts and inscriptions. A 12th-century Jain author Brahmashiva claims that a Jain, who died in battle after a display of his valour, was later named as Mailara. By the 13th century, wide worship of Malhari or Mailara is observed by kings, Brahmins, simple folk and warriors. With the rise of Muslim empire, classical Hindu temples fell into ruin, giving rise to the folk religion such as of Khandoba. Chakradhara remarks, 'by the end of the Kali Yuga, temples of Vishnu and Shiva will be destroyed, but those of Mailara will stay'. A 1369 AD inscription at Ailoni near Warangal tells an account of Mallari different from Malhari Mahatmya — Shiva helped the epic hero Arjuna kill the demon Malla, thus acquiring the title of Mallari. Mailara was the family deity of Kakatiya dynasty (1083–1323 AD); a text from their rule records the self-torture rituals of Mailara-devotees and describes the deity. Throughout his development, Mailara is looked upon as a lower manifestation of Ishvara (God) by Lingayat and Maharashtrian bhakti saints.^[64]

Malhari Mahatmya states that Khandoba first appeared on Champashasti, which was a Sunday, at Premapur, which identified as Pember (Adimailar, Mailarapur) near Bidar. Marathi traditions tell that Khandoba came originally from Premapuri, now Pember in Karnataka, then went to Naldurg, Pali and finally to Jejuri.^[11] Sontheimer suggests that the cult of Mailara may have originated in Pember and then spread to Maharashtra, merging with the cult of Khandaka — the patron yaksha (demi-god) of Paithan giving it its distinct Maharashtrain characteristics. Maharashtrains call the god -Kanadya Khanderaya, the god from Karnataka. The cult possibly was spread by Lingayat, Jain and other merchants, associated with Mailara-Khandoba, to other parts of the Deccan. Besides Mailara, Khandoba is identified with other deities of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and is called as Mallanna, Mairala, and Mallu Khan.^[66] Other traditions like Shaktacults of folk goddesses were assimilated into the Khandoba cult, identifying the goddesses with Khandoba's wives Mhalsa or Banai.^[51]

Marathi literature has a mixed reaction to the cult of Khandoba. Naranjanamadhva (1790) in stotra (hymn) dedicated to Khandoba calls him "an illustrious king with rich clothes and a horse with a saddle studded with jewels", who was once "an ascetic beggar who ride an old bull and carried an ant-bitten club (khatvanga)" - a humorous take on the Puranic Shiva. In another instance (1855), he is called a ghost by a Christian missionary and Konastha Brahmin in a debate against Deshastha Brahmin.^[40] Another Brahmin remarks with scorn about the impurity of the Khandoba temple, visited by Sudras and whose priests are non-Brahmin Guravs.^[40] The Marathi term "khel-khandoba", which is taken to mean "devastation" in general usage, refers to the possession of devotee by the god in his cult.^[40]

References[edit]

^ Jump up to:^a ^b Singh p.ix
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.314
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Feldhaus p.115
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.284
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.288
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.303
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c Stanley (Nov. 1977) p. 32
Jump up^ For worship of Khandoba in the form of a lingam and possible identification with Shiva based on that, see: Mate, p. 176.
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker p.103
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker pp.105-6
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Bakker p.105
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.330
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel pp. 272,293
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker p.118
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel pp.272-77
Jump up^ For a detailed synopsis of Malhari Mahtmya, see Sontheimer in Bakker pp.116-26
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.328
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.278
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel pp.280-4
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Feldhaus p.116
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Feldhaus p.117-8
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Feldhaus p. 118
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d Stanley (Nov. 1977) p. 33
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p. 300
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.332
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker p.110
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c Sontheimer in Bakker p.113
Jump up^ For use of the name Khandoba as a name for Karttikeya in Maharashtra, Gupta Preface, and p. 40.
Jump up^ Khokar, Mohan (June 25, 2000). "In recognition of valour". The Hindu. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Bakker p.114
Jump up^ Pillai, S Devadas (1997). Indian Sociology Through Ghurye, a Dictionary. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan. pp. 190–192.ISBN 81-7154-807-5.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Stanley (Nov. 1977) p. 31
Jump up^ Rathod, Motiraj (November 2000). "Denotified and Nomadic Tribes in Maharashtra". The Denotified and Nomatic Tribes Rights Action Group Newsletter (DNT Rights Action Group) (April–June and July–September, 2000).
Jump up^ Singh, K S (2004). People of India: Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan and Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1768.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.271
Jump up^ "Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer: People". Maharashtra State Gazetteer. 2006 [1976]. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Government of Maharashtra. "Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ratnagiri and Savantvadi". Retrieved August 26,2010.
Jump up^ "Nashik District: Population". Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. 2006 [1883]. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker p.104
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel pp.332-3
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c Underhill p.111
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.296
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.293
^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d Burman p.1227
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.313
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.308
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.302
Jump up^ See Stanley in Zelliot pp. 40-53: for details of possession beliefs: Angat Yene:Possession by the Divine
Jump up^ "Ratnagiri District Gazetteer : People: RELIGIOUS BELIEFS". Maharashtra State Gazetteer. 1962. Retrieved 11 September2010.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel pp. 325-7
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Bakker p.116
Jump up^ For Jejuri as the foremost center of worship see: Mate, p. 162.
Jump up^ "Jejuri". Maharashtra Gazetteer. 2006 – ebook version, 1885 – original. Check date values in: |date= (help)
Jump up^ "PAL OR RAJAPUR". Satara District Gazzeteer. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
Jump up^ Nimgaon
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker p.108
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker p.127
Jump up^ See Stanley (Nov. 1977) pp. 34-38 for a detailed description
Jump up^ [A HISTORY OF THE MARATHA PEOPLE , C A. KINCAID, CV.O., I.CS. AND Rao Bahadur D. B. PARASNIS, VOL II , page 314, HUMPHREY MILFORD, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS, 1922]
Jump up^ Stanley in Hiltebeitel p.314
Jump up^ See Stanley (Nov. 1977) p. 39
Jump up^ Stanley (Nov. 1977) p. 30
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel pp.301-2
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Sontheimer in Bakker pp. 106-7
^ Jump up to:^a ^b Dhere, R. C. (2009). "FOLK GOD OF THE SOUTH: KHANDOBA - Chapter 1: "Mailar', that is Khandoba". official site of R C Dhere. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
Jump up^ Sontheimer in Bakker pp.108-9

External links[edit]

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khandoba temples of maharastra, karnatak & andhra pradesh
Website of Shri Martand Dev, Jejuri

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Photo Gallery	येळ कोट येळ कोट जय मल्हार	Photo Gallery

Jejuri is one of the famous temples of Maharashtra. This place is popularly known as 'Khandobachi Jejuri'. The
temple of Khandoba at Jejuri is located on the top of a small hill. You need to climb almost 200 steps to
reach the temple. Jejuri Town is located in Purandar taluk, a station on the southern railway meter-guage
like between Pune and Bangalore. Jejuri is a famous pilgrimage place. Jejuri is more a village than a town
and is important due to the religious fairs held here in honour of Lord Khandoba. Khandoba has two temples
at Jejuri. One of them is older than the other. The new one is larger and stands close to and about 250 feet
above the village. The small temple is believed to be sacred. The idol of Khandoba in the temple is very beautiful.
Various weapons like Sword , Damaru and Paral are of historic remembrance. The competition of handling
the sword on Dasera Day is very popular at Jejuri because one has to lift the sword high for maximum
time. The other idols of Khandoba , Mhalsa and Manimalla looks beautiful. You must visit Jejuri to see the
crystal stands. Jejuri is one of the important temples in Maharashtra with historical importance. ' Kandobacha
Yelkot '..' Jay Malhar ' are some of the popular terms here. One can find many sculptures in and nearby the
Jejuri temple.

Let us see the story of Jejuri temple now. The Khandoba templ was built on a hill top with a fort around. The
heroes were the bees and the villain was Aurangazeb. We can see a small niche housing a sivalinga and it is
called as Savalaksha Bhunga, meaning that a bee worth a lakh and a quarter of coins. The story begins with
Aurangazeb raiding the temple during one of his campaigns when he conquered another fort, Daulat Mangal
Fort which is near to this place. He saw the Jejuri fort (which was enclosing the temple) after conquering
Daulat Mangal fort. He wanted to conquer the Jejuri Fort. He reached with his army to this fort but found
that sturdy gates were closed. So he wanted to break the walls of the fort and come inside. He then ordered
to make a hole in the wall by putting a dynamite exactly at the place where the Savalaksha Bhunga lies now.
Does Khandoba like this kind of thing to happen? No. Suddenly there emerged from the hole lot of honey bees
one after the other in quick succession. The honey bees attached the army of Aurangazeb with great noise
covering each soldier's body completely. So the soldiers told about this to Aurangazeb. Aurangazeb was
copletely paralyzed. Then one of the Hindu solder told him that Lord Khandoba is very powerful and ever
vigilant to protect his devotees. He then suggested that by appearing in front of him alone, the trouble
would be removed. So Aurangazeb order at once an offering of One lakh and a quarter coins to God
Khandoba. When the offering was made, the honey bees disappeared soon. So Aurangazeb did not know
how it happened, but realized that God was so powerful and bowed down in front of Khandoba.

Temples in Maharashtra..

	Temples in Jejuri	Babulnath Temple	Akkalkot Swami Samarth
	Temples in Nashik	Bhimashankar Temple	Balaji Temple
	Temples in Solapur	Bhuleshwar Temple	Bhatkuli Jain Temple
	Temples in Alandi	Chaturshringi Temple	Bhavani Mandap
	Temples in Alibaug	Dharavi Mata Temple	Dragon Palace Temple
	Temples in Amravati	Ganapati Temple	Ekvira Devi Temple
	Temples in Aurangabad	Ghrishneshwar Temple	Jain temple
	Temples in Kolhapur	Gondeshwar Temple	Jivdanai Mata Temple
	Temples In Mumbai	Khidrapur Temple	Jyotiba Temple
	Temples in Nagpur	Mahalakshmi Temple	Kopineshwar Temple
	Temples in Nanded	Mandher Devi Temple	Mahadevi Mahalakshmi
	Temples in Pali	Modakeshwar Temple	Mumba Devi Temple
	Temples in Pandharpur	Ramkund	Narasimha Wadi
	Temples in Pune	Ramtek Mandir	Naroshankar Temple
	Temples in Sangli	Shri Saibaba Temple	Parvati Hill and Temple
	Temples in Satara	Shri Siddheshwar Temple	Pataleshwar Cave Temple
	Temples in Shirdi	Shri Vyankatesh Temple	Renuka Devi Temple
	Temples of Jalgaon	Siddhivinayak Temple	Shree Manudevi Temple
	Temples of Thane	Sundarnarayan Temple	Shri Ambadevi Temple
		Tambadi Jogeshwari	Shri Ganpati Devasthan
		Thakurdwar Mandir	Dehu samadhi temple
		Trimbakeshwar Temple	Tryambuli Devi Temple
		Walkeshwar Temple

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Devotee performing prayers with musical instrument during Yatra of Lord Khandoba at Jejuri tample

India -

Throwing great clouds of an offering of turmeric powder called bhandara into the air, the pilgrims paint the town golden yellow; a color they associate with the power of the sun and one suggestive of Khandoba’s solar origin. Shouts of the ritual slogan ‘Sadanandacha Yelkot’ and ‘Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar’ acclaim Khandoba’s everlasting bliss. Understandably, the pilgrims refer to the town as Sonyache Jejuri, or Golden Jejuri.

Khandoba aka Khanderao, Khanderaya, Malhari Martand and Mallu Khan is a regional Hindu deity, worshipped as Mārtanda Bhairava, a form of Shiva, mainly in the Deccan plateau of India. He is the most popular family deity in Maharashtra. A six-day festival, from the first to sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, in honour of Khandoba is celebrated at Jejuri Temple.

A jatra is held in Pember on Champa-Shashthi, and the festival continues until Purnima (New Moon Day), A palakhi (palanquin) procession of Khandoba and Mhalsa’s images is carried from the Gad-kot temple to the Karha River, where the images are ritually bathed. Thousands of pilgrims, devoted to Khandoba have come to Jejuri temple to celebrate the Festival. During the festival, turmeric powder (haldi) is offered to the Lord Khandoba.

Almost all visitors carry small packets of haldi and offer it to every deity from mahadwara to the archamurti Lord Khandoba. The riches and mandaps built for several parivaradevaths are receiving haldi offering with utmost satisfaction. As every one takes and offers, the whole ground appears like a yellow sheet. Regular worship goes on round the year with haldi offering mainly.

During the Bhandara festival, Devotees perform various self-inflicted Religious Rituals. Ranging from mortification of the flesh, barefoot pilgrimages, piercing the body, walking on their knees; all as an act of devotion or penance. Devotees call this form Bhakti (Devotion) as Ugra (violent, demonic).

By publicly practicing self-torture and, above all, by coming out of it unharmed, the Devotee shows everybody that the divine entity that is believed to descend upon him during the possession or the trance, has the faculty to make him insensitive to the stimuli of pain. Religious observance suggests that it has two main purposes. One is the hope of rooting out some physical appetite, thereby achieving purity and self-mastery, and thus merit. The other, much the main purpose, is to induce an ecstatic or transcendent state often interpreted by believers as contact with the divine.

Written and Photographed by Vinit Gupta

1607 183027