Kunkeshwar Temple

Kunkeshwar Temple

Kunkeshwar is 15 kms away from Devagad. Kunkeshwar is also know as Konkan’s Kashi (religious capital of India – Varansi). This temple was built in around B.C. 1100. Apart from Shivling (a symbol for the worship of the Hindu god Shiva) the temple also has idol of godess Parvati (Lord Shiva’s wife). It also has many temples of other hindu gods and godesses. In year 1920 few caves were explored on the east side of temple on the mountain which have few idols and statues carved in it.

It is belived that this temple is build by a Muslim (Arab businessman). The story goes like he was traveling by boat and all of sudden his boat got caught in a storm and it sank. He thought that it’s end of his life when he saw a some light on the shore. He prayed to the god and said if I am saved out of this storm then I will build a temple at this place. After some time storm stopped and he reached the shore along with his boat. He then thanked god and as promised built a temple on the same piece of land. But he had a fear that his own people wouldn’t accept him back; he jumped off from the top of the temple. His memorial still exists inside the temple campus.

The deep blue waters of the sea add to the beauty of this magnificent temple. The beach is very clean. White sandy beach is surrounded by lush green trees and mountains. The place is filled with combination of philosophical and natural beauty and is always crowded with tourists.