Sri Mahalakshmi Temple Dahanu

Sri Mahalakshmi Temple -Dahanu

Mahalakshmi Temple, is one of the most famous temples of Dahanu situated on Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway in Dahanu area-Maharashtra.This temple was built by Koli king Jayaba Mukne of Jawhar State in 1306 at the establishment of Jawhar.Goddess Mahalaxmi is the family deity of local tribes, so during the festive period, the tribals arrange taarpa dance for their revelry.

The Mahalakshmi deity is a Swayambu. To see the divine image of Maa engraved as a deity on a rock is nothing short of some magic!

Here in Dahanu, there are two temples of Goddess Mahalaxmi. One is situated on National Highway Eight (NH-8) at Charoti Naka, and other the main one is situated on the mountain called Mahalaxmi Hill nearby about 3 to 4 kilometers.

Legend

Once Goddess Mahalakshmi embarked on a yatra from her abode in Kolhapur. Maa reached Dahanu village around midnight. Since Pandavas were in exile at that period of time, Mother decided to test Bhima one day and took the form of a beautiful woman. When Bhima saw the beautiful form of Mother all decked up in fine jewelry, he was instantly fascinated and proposed marriage to her.

On sensing Bhima’s intentions, she put up a condition that if Bhima manages to dam the river Surya in one night and divert its water to this village, then she will get married to him. Excitedly, Bhima got down to building a dam on the river and did a very good job at it. Just when he was about to finish the work, she immediately took the form of a rooster and crowed loudly to indicate sunrise. On hearing the rooster crow, a dejected Bhima completed the work but accepted his defeat. In this way, the people of the village got water, but Bhima left empty handed from there.

Thereafter, Mother sat down in a cave in a mountain near Ranshet village for penance and meditation. As time passed by, the local tribals started coming to the cave to see the Mother. Among them, was a woman devotee who went to see the mother even though she was pregnant. As she was climbing the mountain, she fell unconscious. This saddened Mother and that was the day she declared that people will no longer have to climb the mountain to visit her, she will be coming down instead. Mother came down from the mountain and settled in Valvede village.

True to this story, one can see two temples of Maa Mahalakshmi in Dahanu even today. One temple sits on a hill while the other is at the foot of the mountain. The temple which is at the base is more popular and a visit here is said to be enough to please Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Every year a festival is held here called ‘Mahalaxmi Yatra’ for fifteen days which starts from Hanuman Jayanti.During the festive period, the tribal perform Taarpa dance for their revelry.