Renuka Devi Temple (Mahur)

History

Maharashtra Tourism links Mahur with Goddess Renuka and the Shakti Peetha tradition in the Penganga valley.

The district page notes nearby Mahurgad fort and forested approaches to the hill shrine.

Stories

Where Renuka is said to appear

Local tradition tells that Sahasrarjuna attacked Renuka, mother of Parashurama, when she refused him the divine cow Kamadhenu, and that she died of her wounds. Parashurama was grief-stricken, and the sage Dattatreya is said to have guided him to perform the last rites at Mahur. The goddess is believed to appear on the first of the three hills, where her shrine now stands.

Matripura in the Devi Bhagavatam

The Devi Bhagavatam, a Sanskrit scripture, names Mahur as Matripura or Matapur and lists it among places of Shakti worship in the Sahyadri hills. The Devi Gita section describes the goddess Renuka as dwelling there. Today the shrine is counted as one of the three and a half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra, and a large fair is held at Vijayadashami.

The fort above the shrine

Mahurgad fort stands near the temple, and its recorded history shows many rulers. A Gond king held it, the Bahmani sultans controlled it in 1358 and again in 1428, and it later passed through the Ahmadnagar and Mughal realms. In the Mughal period the jagir of Mahur was held by Savitribai Deshmukh. The hill shrine itself is said to be older than the Yadava era.

Good to know

Renuka Devi Shakti Peetha — Maharashtra Tourism

Sahyadri hill pilgrimage

Part of Maharashtra “sade teen” Shakti circuit

Getting there

Nearest airport: Nagpur / Nanded. Road access via Kinwat–Mahur; plan full day from Nanded or Yavatmal belt.