Mahabaleshwar is a hill station located close to Mumbai and Pune. Known as the queen of the hills in the western Ghats region, this picturesque town is surrounded by evergreen forests, low lying hills on all sides as well as scenic lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Besides being rich in natural beauty, this hill station also has great religious significance for Hindu pilgrims.

Those who are religiously inclined, Mahabaleshwar is a great place to visit to witness age old shrines and some sacred places such as the origin of the river Krishna. The source of this river is held sacred by the Hindus and the site of origin of this river is kept sacred in the form of a temple known as the Krishna temple. This temple is located in Old Mahabaleshwar and is known as Panchganga.

The origin of the river is demarcated in the form of a sacred bull with the mouth signifying the source of the river. Legend says that not only one but the origin is of five rivers which represented the Gods Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva who were cursed by Parvati who also turned into one river along with a maiden who Brahma married, Gayatri. However, the five rivers do not maintain separate courses and Krishna remains the main river till today.

The main temple that devotees from all over the country and abroad come to see is the Mahabaleshwar temple. The temple of Lord Shiva, also known as Lord Mahabali or Lord of great strength, is the God after whom the hills are so named. The Mahabaleshwar temple is surrounded by a five feet high stone wall and consists of two chambers – the outside chamber being a visitors’ hall while the inner chamber is where the God resides. Lord Mahabali or Lord Shiva is usually worshipped in the form of a “lingam” or a black stone which embodies the God.

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple is another temple which celebrates the power of Lord Shiva. Located in Gokarna, Karnataka, the Mahabaleshwar temple signifies the popularity of Lord Shiva in South India.

Amongst the Mahabaleshwar temples, besides the Krishna temple and the Mahabaleshwar temple, there are many more small temples. Sri Ram temple, Mahabal temple, Hanuman temple are other places to visit, each having their own religious story to tell.

Thus, Mahabaleshwar temples prove to be yet another tourist destination for those who are religiously inclined. For devotees of Lord Shiva, this place embodies his power, his strength and glorifies his presence and might in the Hindu religion. In the midst of breathtaking views and panoramic countryside, many come to pay their tribute in the famous Mahabaleshwar temples to have their prayers answered and to pay homage to one of the religious sites in the country.