Maharashtra, a state with a rich history and diverse cultural heritage, is home to a vast number of religious places of worship for various faiths. Here is a list of some of the most prominent ones:
Hindu Temples
Jyotirlingas (shrines of Lord Shiva):
Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Nashik: Located at the source of the Godavari River, this is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Bhimashankar Temple, Pune: Situated in the Sahyadri hills, this ancient temple is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Grishneshwar Temple, Aurangabad: This is the twelfth and final Jyotirlinga, located near the famous Ellora Caves.
Aundha Nagnath Temple, Hingoli: An ancient temple believed to have been built by the Pandavas, also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Parli Vaijnath Temple, Beed: A revered Jyotirlinga shrine.
Shakti Peethas (shrines of the Goddess):
Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur: Dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi, this temple is one of the most significant Shakti Peethas.
Tulja Bhavani Temple, Tuljapur: A highly revered shrine of Goddess Bhavani, the patron deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Renuka Devi Temple, Mahur: Located in the Nanded district, this is another of the Shakti Peethas.
Saptashrungi Temple, Nashik: This temple is dedicated to Goddess Saptashrungi and is perched on a hill.
Ashtavinayak Temples (shrines of Lord Ganesha):
The “Ashtavinayak” pilgrimage circuit covers eight ancient temples of Lord Ganesha located around the Pune and Raigad districts. These include:
Moreshwar Temple, Morgaon
Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek
Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali
Varadavinayak Temple, Mahad
Chintamani Temple, Theur
Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri
Vighneshwar Temple, Ozar
Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon
Other Notable Hindu Temples:
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai: One of the most famous temples in Mumbai, dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi: A major pilgrimage site for devotees of Sai Baba, a revered saint.
Shani Shingnapur, Ahmednagar: A unique temple dedicated to Lord Shanidev, known for the absence of a roof.
Khandoba Temple, Jejuri: Perched on a hilltop, this temple is dedicated to Lord Khandoba, a form of Lord Shiva.
Vitthal Rukmini Temple, Pandharpur: A significant pilgrimage center for the Warkari sect of Hinduism.
Ganpatipule Temple, Ratnagiri: A 400-year-old temple of Lord Ganesha located on the coast.
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, Pune: A highly revered Ganesha temple in Pune.
Other Religions
Muslim Shrines:
Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai: A famous mosque and tomb located on an islet in the Arabian Sea.
Mount Mary Church, Mumbai: Officially known as the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, this is one of Mumbai’s oldest churches.
Huzur Sahib Sachkhand Gurudwara, Nanded: One of the five Takhts of Sikhism, it is the place where Guru Gobind Singh took his final rest.
Christian Churches:
Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (Mount St. Mary Church), Mumbai
St. Michael’s Church, Mahim, Mumbai
Jain & Buddhist Sites:
Ellora Caves, Aurangabad: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with rock-cut temples and monasteries representing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Elephanta Caves, Mumbai: Famous for its rock-cut cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Mangi-Tungi, Nashik: A significant Jain pilgrimage site with a large statue of Lord Rishabhanatha.