The presiding deity Mahalakshmi, revered as Jagruta Devi (the Ever-Watchful Goddess), is believed to help devotees, transform their lives and usher prosperity to their houses.
In the heart of Sulebhavi village, on the slopes of the Western Ghats in Belagavi district of Karnataka, lies a temple dedicated to presiding deity Mahalakshmi, commonly known as Jagruta Devi (the Ever-Watchful Goddess).
The temple, about 500 years old, is a testament to faith and community spirit. It draws people from many states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
A temple that is about 500 years old, it draws people from many states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
Some people associated with the temple say, in 1940, a devotee Mallikarjuna Korishetty prayed to the goddess for a child and when his wish was fulfilled, he carried out a massive renovation work of the temple. Today, the temple trust continues the work as and when needed.
Every five years, the temple hosts a grand nine-day fair with Bhandara Honnata, a traditional ritual where devotees playfully throw yellow turmeric powder, a tradition that is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune. The temple trust makes sure that the festival remains a community-driven event, sans any loud music or banners that affect the beauty, peace and tranquility in the area.
"Our aim is that the fair should be held peacefully and the devotees participate with enthusiasm. Therefore, ours is a model fair in the surrounding villages," say temple trust members Shashikant Sangolli and Murugesha Hampiholi.
Another fascinating feature of the temple is the Panchamukhi Vahana, a five-headed mythical creature that serves as the goddess’s mount with five heads of different animals like a lion, tiger, owl, fox, and peacock, each one symbolising wisdom, power, patience, and prosperity. "This unique form of the goddess is not seen anywhere else in the country," say villagers.
The temple’s sanctum sanctorum gets the first rays of the sun every morning, while in the evening, the last rays of the setting sun also touches the goddess’s feet. To watch the sight, devotees make a beeline during dawn and dusk hours.
For Sulebhavi residents, the Mahalakshmi Temple is not just a place of worship but a symbol of faith. “When we visit the temple and touch the coins, we can feel the aura of all those who visited earlier and nailed these coins. We have immense faith on the Goddess because she carries us through our pains and struggles,” say devotees Sridevi and Shilpa Kamble.
