Shri Dev Marleshwar Cave Temple, Ratnagiri, Maharshtra State, India

Pragati Bhagwat l Located in the heart of Konkan,nestled in extremely dense forest and surrounded by scenic Sahyadri ranges is the famous Marleshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.This is one of the important pilgrimage destinations situated near the town of Maral and its a cave temple, where the Shiv ling is believed to be a swayambhu (self-manifested).

The God of Maral, Marleshwar was named adjoining these 2 words Maral and Ishwar which means God.One of the convenient means to reach Marleshwar is to take the local state transport buses. The town of Maral is approximately 341 km from Mumbai, 274 km from Pune & 90 km from Kolhapur.

If you are planning to come from Kolhapur to Marleshwar the route goes through Ambe ghat and you can take the Khadikolvan way from Kalkadre. Vehicles can reach all the way upto the foothills of the mountain where the cave temple steps begin. There are about 550 steps leading to the cave temple.

The altar of the deities is inside a cave and the entrance to the cave is about 3.5 feet tall. Adjacent to the gate is a small temple which holds an idol of Lord Ganesh. Prior to entering the cave, all the pilgrims usually pay respects to Lord Ganesh and take his blessings.

Once you enter the temple gate,you will find 2 Shivlings that are Swayambhus (self manifested). One is Marleshwar and the other is Mallikarjun who was Marleshwars elder brother. The beautiful soft light of the oil and ghee lamps that are lit in front of the Shiv ling are the only flames that can be seen in the pitch dark cave. It’s strictly prohibited to light any other lamps in the temple. Nestled in the grooves and crevices and roaming around in this cave are many cobras and snakes who have never harmed any pilgrims till date or created any kind of disturbance.

Lord Shiva is always seen possessing a snake coiled around his neck. Marleshwar is one major representation of this.

There are hundreds of thousands of devotees flocking towards the cave temple on special occassions and days like Nag panchami, Mondays/Saturdays, Shravan maas, Mahashivratri, Duttajayanti.One of the major events that attracts lots of pilgrims and devotees to Marleshwar is the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that is celebrated on the day of Makar Sankranti with lots of joy and pompous.Lord Marleshwar is considered as the groom and Goddess Girjai is the bride and the Lingayat system is followed.

Near the temple are the majestic Dharshwar falls. As you descend the steps from the cave temple leading towards the falls, there’s a small temple of Shri Vetal on the right hand side. Covered on 3 sides with enigmatic mountains, the most scenic view is of the rushing water cascading down from the height of 2500feet of the Dhareshwar waterfalls. This waterfall forms the Bav river. It’s considered very auspicious and pure to bath in these falls during the month of Magha. During the rainy season this constant huge stream of waterfalls coupled with cascades around it is a breathtaking view, but they can be very dangerous, so extreme precautions need to be taken and not go near them . The mammoth waterfall pouring down can be compared to the river Ganges safely held and flowing down from the head of Lord Shiva.

Lots of visitors come every year to experience this breathtaking beauty of Marleshwar surrounded by the lush greens, dense forest, magnificent mountains and majestic waterfalls. This undeniable presence of mysterious nature and creation and the profound depth of a magical force is beyond one’s imagination and absolutely unforgettable.