खंडोबा मंदिर (जेजुरी)
( Khandoba Temple, Jejuri )The Khandoba Temple of Jejuri is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Khandoba, located on a hill in the town of Jejuri, Maharashtra, India. It is one of the most prominent Hindu pilgrimage centres of Maharashtra.
Jejuri's Khandoba is a Kuladaivata of many farming families, Brahmins and nomadic Dhangar tribe of the Maharashtra and Deccan region.
According to legends and folklore, Khandoba was a human Avatar of Bhagawan Shiva; he used to live and rule the region from Jejuri-gad (transl. Jejuri fort), where the Mandir is now present. The Mandir is also known as Jejuri-gad. Khandoba killed the demon brothers Mani and Malla, when they harassed people.
The worship of Khandoba began in the 12th to 13th century. It was built by Yadavas in 12th century. The Khandoba temple was rebuilt during the reign of the Peshwas.[1]
In 1737–1739, Chimaji Appa, brother of Peshwa Baji Rao I, gifted Portuguese church bells from Vasai to the temple. He and his Maratha soldiers took the bells from Portuguese churches as conquest memorabilia, after defeating them in the Battle of Vasai (1737).[2]
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