Janai Malai
Janai Malai (जानाई मळाई) is a Hindu Goddesses temple located on Janai Malai mountain near Satara.
Janai Devi Temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Janai Malai Devi is worshipped in murti form. She is depicted either in standing or sitting position. Sometimes devotees only get to view her head. She is depicted with two or four arms. She holds various weapons like trishul, sword, damru etc.
It is Kuldevi and patron diety of many families of different castes. The original idols of temple are swayambhu. It is believed to be Pandav era temple. The temple is constructed from huge stones of the mountain. The architecture is of Hemadpanti style. The temple was renovated in 1970.
The mountain top Janai Malai temple can be reached by a small trek from Kodoli, Karandwadi, Degaon, Shendri and Khindwadi. Stairs are available from the Kodoli side entry, which is the main and largely used entry point.
As per oral tradition the goddesses first arrived at Diskal village from Karnataka via Konkan. She is called Telangiaaiedevi due to it. From Diskal she moved to Degaon, Karandwadi and Kodoli. Her Paduka are at Kodoli. The goddesses took form of two small girls and insisted a farmer to take them on the mountain top. The farmer took the little girls on the mountain top. Pleased with the farmer they showed him their true form as Adi Shakti, Adi Maya, Brahmanandini, Parvati and disappeared by blessing him at the site of current temple.
The other gods and goddesses present in the Janai Malai temple premises are Shri Mahalakshmi, Waghjai, Tamjai, Kalakdaridevi, Shankar, Ganesh, Hanuman, Bhairoba and Mhasoba. The Balantin, Pailwan, Radtondidevi, Hatti Gudhgha, Mangirbaba are also offered various offerings.
Goddesses Janai Malai is believed to be a kadak (fierce) deity, who causes troubles if not propitiated properly as per the family duties. Janai Malai is worshipped by offering two sari and blouse pieces along with coconut, haldi kumkum, bangles, mangalsutra and rice. The deity is offered puran poli – a sweet or a simpler dish called bharit rodga of onion and brinjal, Bhaji Bhakri and curd milk rice Shitala. The Goddesses is also offered with Gulal Khobare. If one cannot climb the mountain then the offerings can be offered at footstep below at the Sasurvashin temple at entrance.
Bajri Bhakri, egg, rodga and chillim is offered to Mhasoba. Baby clothes, Kajal, braid and comb is offered to Balantin
The Daitya or monsters are offered flesh of Chicken, Goat or Sheep but it is strictly offered outside the temple premises.
An important part of the Diety-sect is navas, a vow to perform service to the god in return for a boon of good harvest, male child, financial success etc. On fulfilment of the navas, diety is offered as promised. The deity is to be called awake or "jagrut". The priests here are Guravs, not Brahmins.
Shikhar Kathi or Spire Sticks
editThe annual festival takes place every year on Gudi Padwa. The temple is decorated with lamps, lights, flowers, leaves and sugarcane for the occasion. The Chabina or the religious procession takes place at midnight 12:00 am. The procession of Palkhi and the Shikhar Kathi or Spire Sticks starts from Kodoli and reaches the mountain top Janai and Malai temple. The Shikhar Kathi or Spire Sticks of Shinde, Mane of Diksal and Degaon and Karande of Karandwadi are given special honour and respect. These three honoree are from different caste and the Karande of Karandwadi are from Dhangar caste. Many Karande migrated from Karandwadi to Khadki Malavadi during the Plague pandemic of 1896. These sticks are touched to the temple spire or when they reach at temple and hence are called Spire Sticks. Lakhs of devotees attend the yatra on Gudi Padwa.
Puja are also performed on every Tuesday, Friday, New Moon and Full Moon at 6:30 am.
Legends
editOnce an elephant tried to climb the mountain top but got tired and touched his knees hence that spot on mountain stairs is called Hatti Gudaga.
One sasurvashin i.e. the women residing in her matrimonial home used to daily go to this temple and offer prayers without informing the in-laws. She used to eat food with Janai Malai, Shri Mahalakshmi and Waghjai. Once her husband, being suspicious, quietly followed her to check what she does. He followed her and saw that she prays at temple. While she was returning home she got scared as she was too late. As some of her belonging fell down she stopped and turned back when she saw here husband was following her. She was immensely frightened and started profusely paying for Janai Malai. The Sasurvashin suddenly disappeared on spot and hence there ia temple of Sasurvashin. Devotees have to first pray at Sasurvashin and then go to Janai Malai temple.