Saptashrungi Temple

Saptashrungi Temple is situated in Nanduri village, about 65 km away from Nashik and about 277 km away from Pune. Located atop a cliff at a height of about 1,230 meters, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Saptashrungi. It is one of the most revered places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra. More than four million pilgrims from all over India visit the temple annually.

In Marathi, ‘Sapta’ means ‘Seven’ and ‘Shrung’ means ‘Peaks’. It is believed that Goddess Saptashrungi dwells within the seven mountain peaks, which are a part of the larger Sahyadri Range. Hence, the presiding deity at this temple is referred to as Saptashrugi (Godess of Seven Mountains) or Saptanivasini (She, who resides on the Seven Mountains) or Saptashrunga Mata (Mother of the Seven Mountains).

Saptashrungi Temple is one of 51 Shakti Peeths located in the Indian subcontinent. In addition, it is one of ‘three and half Shakti Peeths’ in Maharashtra, alongside the Mahalakshmi Temple at Kolhapur, the Tulja Bhavani Temple at Tuljapur and the Renuka Temple at Mahur. Saptashrungi Temple is generally considered to be the Ardha-Peeth, whereas the remaining three temples are complete Shakti Peeths. However, the official site of the Saptashrungi Temple declares it as a complete Shakti Peeth.

At the foothills of the temple lies a stone statue of a buffalo’s head. The reason for this is that Goddess Saptashrungi is considered to be the incarnation of Goddess Durga or Mahishashur Marsdini, who had defeated Mahishashur, the buffalo demon. The forest around Saptashrungi Temple is home to several varieties of medicinal plants and herbs and even find a mention in the Ramayana.

One has to climb about 470 steps to reach the two-storied temple. The idol of Saptashrungi Devi is enshrined at the topmost floor. The Swayambhu (self-manifested) idol is about 10 feet tall and has 18 hands, each holding a weapon. The idol is painted in saffron and is coated with auspicious sindoor. Every day after Abhishek (holy ritual bath), the Goddess is dressed in beautiful silken sarees and is adorned with a golden crown and jewelry.

In 2018, a Funicular Trolley was launched at the Saptashrungi Temple. The Funicular trolley has been in the making since 2010. With this facility, devotees and pilgrims can now cover 1.400 meters in just 3 minutes. The ticket is Rs. 80 for adults. For senior citizens above 75, physically disabled and children below 12 the ticket cost is Rs. 40. The view while going up the hill and later, from the top of the mountains is simply breathtaking.

There is ample parking space and many nice eateries at the base of the temple. There are around 108 water reservoirs on the main Mountain and they are known as Kundas. Pilgrims throng the temple of Tuesdays, Fridays and during the 9-day Navratri festival.