Tulja Bhavani Shakti Peetha

Family deity of Shivaji Maharaj — Bhavani of the Deccan on a hill in Osmanabad district.

दर्शन महत्व: Navratri and Dussehra processions carry deep Maratha heritage pride.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: Oct–Feb

History

Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur is the kuldevi of many Maratha families, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who received a sword from the Goddess in tradition. The hill temple in Dharashiv (Osmanabad) district is a major Navratri and Dussehra centre of the Deccan.

Legends

• Bhavani manifested to slay the demon Matanga (or the asura who troubled the region); she is the fierce mother of the plateau.
• Shivaji’s Bhavani talwar (sword) is remembered as her blessing for dharma-yuddha.