Lord Venkateshwara Temple, Washim: The Tirupati of Vidarbha

thenewsdirt
Oct 23
6 min read

In Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, the Lord Venkateshwara Temple of Washim is a beacon of devotion and history. Often dubbed the “Tirupati of Vidarbha,” this centuries-old shrine draws throngs of pilgrims and is uniquely located in local lore.

It was built in the 18th century under Maratha patronage, yet its roots reach back much further, steeped in legend and faith. During the Mughal era, its sacred idols were said to be hidden away for protection, only to be rediscovered by chance years later, an episode that shaped the temple’s destiny.

Today, the temple complex not only serves as a place of worship but also as a living testament to the region’s cultural heritage and steadfast spiritual fervour.

History and Legends of the Temple

For generations, the site of Washim’s Balaji temple has been wrapped in history and folklore. While the current Lord Venkateshwara Temple structure was constructed in 1779, evidence suggests the location’s sacred significance predates that era.

In fact, an inscription found under two smaller shrine idols (dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati) is estimated to date back to the 12th century, indicating that this spot was venerated long before the 18th-century construction.

The temple as it stands was commissioned by Bhavani Kalu, a local functionary who rose to become the Diwan (minister) under the Maratha rulers Sabaji and Janoji Bhosle.

Serving as a Subhedar (governor) in the nearby Karanja area, Bhavani Kalu took it upon himself to establish a grand shrine for Lord Venkateshwara in Washim during the late 1700s.

Yet the genesis of this temple owes as much to legend as to documented history. According to local lore and historical records, the idols enshrined here were not always in plain sight. During the 17th century, when the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s iconoclastic campaign threatened Hindu temples, devotees in Washim reportedly concealed their precious idols of Lord Balaji (Venkateshwara) and other deities by burying them underground.

All trace of these images was thought lost for about a hundred years. Then, around 1760, a horseman passing through the area is said to have accidentally struck a buried sculpture with his staff, revealing the stone finger of a deity protruding from the earth.

This chance discovery led to an excavation that recovered a trove of sacred figures. Among them were icons of Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva (Mahadeva), Parvati, Ganapati (Ganesha) and even a naga (serpent) deity.

It was in the wake of this dramatic find that Bhavani Kalu moved to build the new temple, creating a permanent home to reinstall the resurrected idols with due reverence.

Architecture and Cultural Significance

In its final form, the temple that Bhavani Kalu established took twelve years to complete, resulting in an expansive complex designed to accommodate throngs of devotees.

The main shrine stands within a large paved courtyard, flanked by subsidiary temples and a sacred water tank known as the Balaji Talav.

An inscription on a front pillar records the completion date as Shaka 1700 (roughly 1778 CE), attesting to the temple’s late-18th-century origins. Every element of the architecture was built with an eye to devotion and pilgrimage: a broad verandah and other facilities were included so visiting pilgrims could stay within the temple grounds.

Bhavani Kalu not only erected the principal sanctum but also constructed a spacious compound for travellers, including a community dining hall (bhandara) where devotees and Brahmin priests could be fed on special occasions. The complex features a towering gateway and, notably, a prominent dome over the inner sanctum.

In a more recent enhancement, the inner sanctum’s dome was plated with gold, a gleaming addition to the temple’s skyline that now crowns the black stone idol of Lord Venkateshwara inside.

The main deity here is Lord Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu also known as Balaji, and the idol is typically adorned with rich ornaments and flowers.

Interestingly, devotees note that the posture of this idol differs from that of the famous Venkateshwara image in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Whereas the Tirupati Balaji icon is depicted with one hand raised in a blessing gesture, the Washim idol stands in a more serene, meditative stance.

Local priests identify the Washim murti (idol) as representing Vishnu’s Janardana form, one of the 24 traditional avatars of the deity. This unique character of the idol reinforces that the temple is not a mere replica of Tirupati but has its own distinct identity.

Over the centuries, the Lord Venkateshwara Temple of Washim has garnered epithets that speak to its importance in the region.

It is widely referred to as the “Tirupati of Vidarbha,” drawing a parallel to the iconic Tirupati shrine and emphasising that this site is the premier Vishnu pilgrimage destination for devotees across Vidarbha.

Another colloquial moniker further links the two temples: Tirupati’s deity is often called the “Sahukar of the Hills” (literally, the rich patron of the hill temple), whereas Washim’s Balaji is fondly termed the “Jagirdar of Washim”, essentially the landlord of the local land.

These titles, passed down in local parlance, reflect the deep reverence for the deity’s guardianship over the area. Indeed, many devotees believe that Lord Balaji of Tirupati spiritually visits Washim after the harvest season to rest, underscoring a perceived bond between the two distant sites. Such lore highlights the exalted status of the Washim temple in the devotional landscape of the region.

Festivals and Pilgrimage

As a major pilgrimage centre in Vidarbha, the Washim temple draws devotees throughout the year, with crowds peaking during its annual festival season.

The principal celebration is an elaborate ten-day fair (yatra) held each year in the Hindu month of Ashwin (approximately September–October).

It begins on the auspicious day of the Chitra Nakshatra star with a ceremonial flag hoisting atop a silver-coated Garuda dhwaja-stambha (Garuda pillar) at the temple entrance. Over the ensuing days, thousands of worshippers arrive to offer prayers and participate in rituals.

The ninth day is marked by a grand Rathotsav, a chariot procession in which Lord Balaji’s idol is taken out in a beautifully decorated chariot through the town’s streets.

This event is a highlight of the festival, drawing large crowds eager for a glimpse of the deity in procession.

On the final night, coinciding with Kojagiri Purnima (the harvest full moon), the temple courtyard comes alive with devotional music (kirtans).

As midnight approaches, a traditional ritual known as Gopal Kala is performed, devotees form human pyramids to break pots of curd (dahi-handi) suspended high above, re-enacting a legend from Lord Krishna’s youth. These festivities carry deep religious significance and also foster a sense of community, as residents and visitors join together in celebration.

During the Ashwin mela (fair), the town’s population swells with pilgrims from across Vidarbha and neighbouring regions pouring in. It is estimated that well over 12,000 people gather for the Balaji fair each year, transforming the temple precinct and surrounding streets into a vibrant hub of activity.

In addition to the marquee Ashwin festival for Balaji, the temple complex observes other important holy days. For instance, the adjacent Ramchandra temple (within the same complex) sees a major celebration on Ram Navami each spring, honouring the birth of Lord Rama. Still, the autumn Navratra festival dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara remains the defining event that solidifies this temple’s reputation as a focal point of faith in this part of Maharashtra.

Today, visiting the Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Washim is not just a religious outing, but a step into centuries of living history. The very stones of the complex have witnessed the footsteps of Maratha patrons, the concealment and resurrection of idols, and generations of devotees whose faith keeps the temple vibrant.

What began as a secret sanctuary for buried deities has evolved into a thriving pilgrimage destination that anchors the community’s spiritual life.

As incense smoke mingles with the daily prayers, the temple embodies a seamless blend of legend and history, a reminder of how deeply the past and present intertwine in this corner of Maharashtra.

In the “Tirupati of Vidarbha,” faith and history are truly inseparable, ensuring that the temple’s significance remains undiminished for future generations.