SHREE MORESHWAR – MORGAON

Nije Bhuswanandjadbharat Bhumya Paratare |
Turiyostire Paramsukhdetva Nivasasi ||
Mayuraya Nath Stawamasich Mayuresh Bhagwan |
Ataswa sandhyaye Shivharini Brahmajanakam ||1||

Meaning: O! Lord Mayureshwar of Morgaon, you stay on Sage Jadbharat’s land, on the banks of river Karha which is known as ‘Bhuswanand’ (means happiness on land). Shree Moreshwar, who is far from three qualities, who is Swayambhu, who is without any form , who resembles Omkar, who is always in forth state of yoga & who rides on peacock may accept my salutation.

Moragaon, situated on the banks of river Karha comes in Baramati Taluka, in District Pune. It is said that shape of this place is like a peacock & once upon a time there were so many peacocks in the Morgaon, as such it is called as ‘Morgaon’.

SHREE MAYURESHWAR’S IDOL

The deity ‘Moreshwara’ inside the sanctum is very attractive. It is in sitting posture, facing east with the trunk turning left & semeared with vermillion mixed in oil. In its eyes & navel, diamonds are embedded. On its head is the hood of Nagaraja. On left & right are brass idols of Siddhi & Buddhi. In front of the idol are the Mooshaka (Rat) & Mayura (Peacock). On doing Abhishek on ‘Moreshwar’all desires are fulfilled.

The original idol of Moreshwar was small in size. As many layers of vermillion are applied on it, it looks bigger. Sometimes after 100 & 125 years this armour of vermillion casts off & original beautiful idol inside this armour is seen again. It has been heard that Mayureshwar’s armour had been cast off in 1788 & 1822 A.D.

The original small idol wasa made up of atoms of sand,iron & diamonds & it is behind the present statue. It was consecrated by God Brahma reconsecrated it twice. After few years pandavas came there for Pilgrimage. They enclosed the idol in tin sheet, so that nobody can try to destroy it.

SHREE MAYURESHWAR’S TEMPLE

The Main temple facing towards north is in the center of village & looks like a small fortess or Chateu.

The temple complex comprising of a dome, surrounded by a 50 feet high enclosure & decked with four Pillars in each corner, portrays from afar an image of a mosque. while going toward the temple a huge Deep-Mala (Stone pillar of Oil lamps) will be seen at first. In front of this Deep-Mala, there is one Nagarkhana (where kettledrums are kept). Near this holding ‘Laddu’ in his front two legs. On climbing the steps u will see a big ‘Nandi’ made up of black stone sitting in front of main gate & facing towards Mayureshwar. But the question is, how Nandi is present before Ganapati instead of Lord Shiva? You will find answer to this question in this legend: -

‘Years ago, this Nandi was taken on a cart for its consecration in front of a near by Shivalaya. However, the cart caring Nandi broke in front of Mayureshwar’s temple & Nandi- Maharaj sat before Mayureshwar’s temple forever. People tried their best to shift Nandi from this place but Nandi did not move an inch. The artisan caring cart had omen in the night. Nandi appeared in his dream & said, “I want to stay before Mayureshwar only. Don’t try to shift me elsewhere forcefully, I won’t come.” People left with no other alternative droped the idea of shifting Nandi to other place. Like this Nandiji was consecrated before Mayureshwar.

The main temple is made up of Black stone. The temple constructed during Bahamani regime was built in typical Moghule style by Mr.Gole, a Hindu officer in the court of Patshah.

The temple has four gates. In the eastern gate is Lakshminarayana, giver of Dharma. In the southern gate are Parvati & Shankar givers of Artha (desired goals). Then comes western gate where Rati & Kama resides. Lastly in the Northern gate reside, Mahivaraha (Earth & Sun).

Thus all deities & all sages reside in this temple. In the eight corners, there are eight statutes of Ganapati called EKDANTA, MAHODARA, GAJANANA, LAMBODAR, VIKATA, VIGHARAJA, DHUMRAVARNA & VAKRATUNDA.

In the temple complex there are trees of Shami, Mandar & Tarati. The tree of Tarati is also called as Kalpavruksha. Devotees meditate under this tree & attain desired goals.

Before takin darshan of Mayureshwar, first take darshan of ‘Nagnabhairava’ on the left side of Mayureshwar & offer him naivaidya of coconut & jaggary.

Nobody is allowed to enter the Sanctum & do the pooja of Moreshwar on his own. The Various Virtuous deeds performed here are Abhishek Pooja, Sahastravartan, Japa Yadnya, Mahadwar Yatra etc.