This is a consecrated linga of Atibaleshwar Mahadev.
How to get there
This temple is 5.8 kms North of Mahabaleshwar.
Map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C1cidvgebsSNcu3s5
About Mahabaleshwar & Atibaleshwar Temple
Mahabaleshwar Temple is a highly revered Shiva Temple, located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. Its religious significance is more than that of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The shrine dates back to the 16th century and follows the Hemadant style of architecture.
Its ancient architecture is characterized by a pyramidal tower set up on an unadorned exterior, while interiors are flanked with carvings. There are several idols and sculptures of Nandi and Kalabhairava. The simplicity of the temple is complemented by the majestic backdrop of Sahyadri ranges.
The temple has immense religious significance, as it is the only temple in the world with a Linga in the form of Rudraksha. The 6 feet long ‘Swayambhu’ (self-originated) Shiva Linga, known as the Mahalingam, is thousands of years old. The sanctum sanctorum which houses the Linga is over 500 years old, while other parts of the temple were constructed subsequently.
The temple complex also houses the belongings of Lord Shiva, and it is believed that Lord Shiva still uses them when he visits the premises every night. A square platform in the temple complex is the main tourist attraction. It is the place where Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji conducted ‘Tuladaan’ to donate gold to the needy.
History of Mahabaleshwar Temple
The recorded history of Mahabaleshwar dates back to 1215 CE. It was then the Yadava King Singham of Devagiri had visited the area and built the temple, which we know as the Panchganga Temple today. He had built a small tank at the source of River Krishna and a temple around it, which is still a part of the Mahabaleshwar Temple.
The Mahabaleshwar Temple is around 800 years old, while the Swayambhu Shiva Linga presiding in the inner complex is thousands of years old. The reference of the mythological story behind the appearance of the Shiva Linga can be traced to the first and second chapters of the Sahyadri Section of the Skanda Purana.
The story is timed around the creation of the world when during the Padma Kalp, Lord Brahma was meditating in the forests of Sahyadri for the creation of human beings. Two demon brothers named Atibal and Mahabal were troubling the sages and other beings in the region. They are believed to have appeared from a Shiva Linga that Ravana tried taking to Lanka with him.
Their wrongdoing had reached maximum extent, and Lord Vishnu had to fight them to protect the beings of the region. But he was able to kill only Atibal, as Mahabal was blessed that he couldn’t be killed by anyone without his own will.
Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu prayed to Lord Shiva and Goddess Aadimaya to help them get rid of Mahabal. Goddess Aadimaya mesmerized Mahabal with her beauty and asked him to surrender to the Gods. He agreed to lay down his life with a condition that Lord Shiva will reside with him forever in this region.
Lord Shiva appeared as a Shiva Linga in the shape of a Rudraksha to stay with him, and the entire region was named ‘Mahabaleshwar’ to honor Mahabal. The Mahabaleshwar temple houses a bed, Trishul, Damru, and Rudraksha for this very reason. According to folklore, the temple is visited by Lord Shiva every night as the bed is found crumpled every morning.
Mahabaleshwar Temple was built much later in the 16th century by Chanda Rao of the More dynasty. The inner part where the Swayambhu Linga presides is believed to be much older compared to the rest of the temple complex.
Source:
https://www.satara.gov.in/en/tourist-place/mahabaleshwar/
https://mahabaleshwartourism.in/mahabaleshwar-temple
