Kamala Bavani Temple

Overview

Kharmala is a famous city and a municipal council in Solapur district of Maharashtra State. The town got this name ‘Kharmala’ after Karme-Maula who promoted the Islamic teaching during the period of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar. There are some famous temples in Kharmala.

The most important pilgrim spot of Kharmala is the beautiful Kamala Bavani Temple. The temple is dedicated to Kamala Devi, who is considered to be an incarnation of Tulja Bavani Mata (Tuljapur). This temple is one of the most historically acclaimed sites not only of Kharmala, but also of the entire Solapur district.

About The Temple

Rao Raje Nimbalkar built the Temple in 1727. The temple attracts numerous visitors with its unique and wonderful architecture. It is built in Hemandpathi style of architecture. The temple is surrounded by a wall and the fort has twenty one bastions with a distance of 115 feet between two bastions. The temple, which resides to the east of the town, is situated on a slightly raised plateau. The temple homes an artistic spire in front of the homakund and three lamp posts in the back of the homakund. A bird’s-eye-view of the surrounding area is possible from one of these lamp posts.

The temple has entrance doors in all three sides; in east, south and north direction. Among the gopuras, the one over the west gate is more impressive. One can see a bell in the sabhamandab of the temple, which is nearly 150 years old. There is an inscription over the bell, which mentions that it has been hung there since 1740. Idol of Mahadeo and Ganapathi is situated one side of the Goddess and the other side homes idols of Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Another important attraction of this temple is its magic number ‘ninety six’. The number ‘ninety six’ has a significant relation with the architecture of the temple. The temple possesses ninety six pillars, ninety six windows and ninety six steps that lead you to the gates of the temple. It also has ninety six staircases that reach to the big well called as Barav. The temple top also consists of ninety six pictures.

Festivals

The most important festivals are Navaratri and a fair from Kartik Poornima to Ganesh Chaturthi.

Best Season to Visit

October to February is the most suitable season to visit here, as festivals are performed during this period.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is Pune International Airport.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Jeur Railway Station.

Road

MSRTC buses and rickshaws are available to reach Kharmala form Solapur.

Temple Address

The temple,
Devicha Mal,
Kharmala,
Solapur district,
Maharashtra,
India,
Pin code – 413 203.