The Khandoba Temple of Akkalkot
The Khandoba Temple occupies a place of profound importance in the spiritual history of Akkalkot. It was here, on the auspicious day of Lalita Panchami in 1856 CE, that Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj first manifested in Akkalkot. For this reason, even today, countless devotees begin their pilgrimage by offering prayers at this temple before proceeding to the Samadhi Math of Shri Swami Samarth.
Shri Swami Samarth’s Arrival in Akkalkot
According to tradition, during the month of Ashwin, Shri Swami Samarth was travelling on horseback from Solapur to Akkalkot with Chintopant Tol. Midway through the journey, Chintopant received an urgent message from the British Collector, requiring him to return immediately to Solapur.
Before leaving, he instructed one of his attendants to remain with Maharaj and look after Him.
However, Shri Swami Samarth simply declared,
“Hum kisi ke hukm ke tabedār nahīn.”
“I am not subject to anyone’s command.”
The very next moment, He disappeared from the attendant’s sight and manifested directly at the Khandoba Temple, located near the entrance to Akkalkot.
The Temple
The temple stands opposite the Akkalkot State Transport Bus Stand, on the road leading toward Solapur.
It was originally built by the Bhosale rulers of Akkalkot as a shrine dedicated to their family deity (Kuladevata), Lord Khandoba.
The temple’s history is closely associated with Rani Lakshmibai, the wife of Shrimant Shahajiraje Bhosale. She regularly undertook pilgrimages to Pandharpur, Tuljapur, and Jejuri, the principal shrine of Lord Khandoba.
As she advanced in age, she realised that travelling to Jejuri would eventually become difficult. With this in mind, she brought the sacred idols of Lord Khandoba, Banai, and Mhalsa from Jejuri to Akkalkot and ceremonially installed them in this temple.
The stone idols were adorned with beautifully crafted copper masks, following the traditional Jejuri style.
Along with the idols, a small horse was also brought from Jejuri and housed within the temple premises. Every year, during the Sundays of the month of Margashirsha and on the festival of Champa Shashthi, the horse was ceremonially taken out in a grand procession.
After the horse eventually passed away, a memorial shrine was constructed in front of the temple in its honour.
Renovation of the Temple
During the reign of Shrimant Tarabai Rani Saheb, the temple underwent extensive renovation.
Protective roofing, a spacious stone platform, and several architectural improvements were added, making the temple larger and more accommodating for devotees.
In 1932, the Akkalkot State appointed Hanumant Appa Gurav as the temple priest. Today, his descendants continue to preserve the temple’s rituals and traditions.
Each year, from Margashirsha Shuddha Pratipada until Champa Shashthi, the temple celebrates the Navaratra of Lord Khandoba with great devotion. The festivities include Abhisheka, Aarti, Mahapuja, and the distribution of Mahaprasad, attracting large numbers of devotees.
Shri Swami Samarth’s First Divine Play in Akkalkot
Immediately after appearing in Akkalkot, Shri Swami Samarth entered the temple’s Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
With the innocent joy of a child, He began playing with the copper masks adorning the stone idols of Lord Khandoba.
The devotees present were astonished by this unusual sight.
After some time, Maharaj removed the masks from the idols, carried them in His hands, and walked to a nearby shrine at the main gateway of Akkalkot, where He remained seated in complete silence for three consecutive days without food or water.
The Miracle of the Empty Hookah
It was here that Risaldar Ahmad Ali Khan Naikwadi decided to test Shri Swami Samarth.
Handing Maharaj an empty hookah (Chillum), he mockingly asked,
“Kyon, hukka peete ho?”
“Do you smoke a hookah?”
Shri Swami Samarth calmly drew from the completely empty pipe.
To everyone’s amazement, the hookah became lit on its own, astonishing all who witnessed the event.
Deeply moved by this miracle, Ahmad Ali Khan accepted Shri Swami Samarth’s extraordinary spiritual greatness and respectfully escorted Him to the residence of Cholappa in Budhwar Peth, where Maharaj stayed for a considerable period.
The Copper Masks
The copper masks that Shri Swami Samarth had brought from the Khandoba Temple were carefully preserved at Cholappa’s house.
Maharaj would often play with them, fitting the masks together and filling them with grains in a manner that resembled a child’s innocent play.
These sacred copper masks are still preserved today inside the sanctum of the Shri Swami Samarth Samadhi Math, where they remain objects of deep reverence.
After Maharaj took the masks with Him, the original stone idols in the Khandoba Temple continued to be worshipped for many years without their copper coverings.
A Sacred Memorial
The very stone upon which Shri Swami Samarth once sat within the temple was later sanctified.
In 1985, Pujya Gajanan Maharaj installed a large portrait of Shri Swami Samarth along with stone Padukas (sacred footprints) at that very spot.
Today, the Khandoba Temple is not merely one of Akkalkot’s oldest shrines—it is revered as the place where Shri Swami Samarth first revealed Himself to the people of Akkalkot, marking the beginning of His divine mission in the town. For devotees, it remains a sacred site where history, faith, and the living presence of the Master continue to inspire generations.