Mukundaraj Temple

                        Mukundaraj Temple

Ambajogai is a culturally important city in Beed district.

The oldest temple of Goddess Yogeshwari has been famous for a long time.  The structure of the temple is in Hemadpanthi style.  The delicate carvings on the pillars are attractive.  The northern entrance is 'Sarveshwar Tirtha'.  Adjacent to the west gate are temples of various deities.  A festival is held here at Dussehra.

 At a distance of one or two kilometers from the Yogeshwari temple on Balghat hill is the tomb of Saint Mukundaraja, who was the first Marathi poet to write the famous verse 'Viveksindhu' (because of the sea).  Saint poet Dasopant also stayed here.

Nearby attractions

 Mukundaraj Swami Samadhi, Dasopant Swami Samadhi, Sankleshwar Temple, Renukai Devi Temple, Hatti Khana, Amaleshwar Temple, Putreshwar Temple, Kholeshwar Temple, Nagnath Temple, Kashi Vishweshwar Temple, Buttinath Temple

 

 How to reach

 Nearest airport: Osmanabad Airport (OMN) [74 km]

 Nearest railway station: Parli Vaijnath

 Distance: Parli Vaijnath to Ambajogai - 2.2.2 km (by road)

 This is the story of King Jayatpal who ruled over Ambapur around 950 AD.  He wanted to see Brahmaswarupa, the supreme form of God.  He used to welcome every sadhu who came to the city of Ambapur and show respect for their worship.  After this, the sadhus requested him to be shown as Brahma.  When the monk could not, the king became angry.  He would put them in prison and cause them much trouble.  During the day they used to dig the lake (northern part of Ambapur) and at night they used to grind grain for the horses.  This frightened the monks and they avoided coming to Ambapur.  The news spread to the holy place of Kashi.  Shri Mukundaraj was studying yoga and various rituals at Kashi.  During this period he wrote many spiritual books like Shri Vivek Sindhu, Parammrit, Pawan Vijay.  He requested his guru (teacher) to allow him to go to Ambapur and help the sadhus.  Shri Mukundaraj reached Ambapur and saw the sadhus digging a lake.

He took the form of a little boy and started chanting Narayan.  His bodyguards were mesmerized by the guards and advised not to enter Ambapur.  They were afraid that the king would treat him like other sadhus.  Shri Mukundaraj ignored it and went directly to meet the king.  As usual, the king welcomed him and asked him to show up as Brahma.  Shri Mukundaraja asked the king to mount the horse.  He told the king to step on the stick and he said that he could see the ultimate form of God before he stepped on the other saddle.  When the king mounted the horse, Shri Mukundaraja slapped the king and the horse.  The king froze with his horse and stayed still for 7 days.  On the eighth day, Shri Mukundaraja broke his magic and the king became normal again.  He asked the king if he could see Brahma.  The king fell at his feet and said that all his wishes had come true.  He regretted his wrongdoing and released all the sadhus on the advice of Shri Mukundaraj.  Shri Mukundaraj also returned to Kashi, but the king followed him wherever he went.  Shri Mukundaraj hurried away and on the banks of the river Jayavanti, he jumped from the river and disappeared.  The king followed him, but he fell into the river with his horse and drowned.  This place is now called 'Ghod-Danda'.

The followers of Shri Mukundaraj performed Samadhi at the place where he disappeared.  This is a very beautiful place.  The hill has been carved to build the temple.  There are steps from the top of the hill, down to the Samadhi.  There is a natural spring near the tomb.  Going further down we reach Jayavanti river.  Ghod-Danda can also see the lake.  It's too deep.  This place is very beautiful in the rainy season.  In the hills, on the other hand, there is a sacred place called Butenath.  Many herbs grow naturally here.  People visit this place during the Hindu month of Ashwin to collect medicinal plants.  This herb is very effective and popular among the people

Yogeshwari Yatri Niwas (Approximately 1 km from Ambajogai Bus Depot) State Transport Bus is available from Ambajogai Bus Depot to Adikavi Shri Mukundaraj Swami Samadhi or you can hire a complete vehicle to get there.

 Km northwest of Shri Yogeshwari Devi Temple.  In the distance is the Samadhi site of the first poet Shri Mukundaraj Swami.

 Walking and going is also a great option as it is interesting to see the landscape.