Purushottam Temple, Purushottampuri, Beed

Maharashtra, revered as the land of saints, cradles numerous architectural and spiritual treasures. Among these stands the country’s only temple dedicated to Bhagwan Purushottam, located at Purushottampuri along the Godavari River in Majalgaon taluka, Beed district. It becomes the epicenter of regional devotion during Adhik Maas (Dhondyacha Mahina or Malmaas), an extra lunar month recurring every three years.

Mythological Significance and Chakratirth

According to the holy text Dhondemahatmya, while twelve Bhagwant Swamis preside over the standard months of the year, none claimed ownership of the intercalary Adhik Maas. Lord Vishnu stepped forward, adopting the month under his name, Purushottam.

Local lore also recounts that Lord Vishnu incarnated here to vanquish the demon Shardul, who terrorized local sages. The spot where his Sudarshan Chakra landed in the Godavari basin is revered as Chakratirth. Pilgrims take a ritual dip in these waters before offering prayers to the dark-stone idol of Lord Purushottam (Vitthal), depicted holding a conch, mace, lotus, and bow. The sanctum sanctorum closely mirrors the architectural layout of Vrindavan’s Krishna shrines.

Architectural Wonder: Floating Bricks & Yadava Legacy

The temple’s standout engineering marvel is its floating bricks—a testament to ancient Indian material science and hydraulic masonry.

Established around 1310 AD under the Yadava monarch King Ramchandra Dev Yadav, the village took the name Purushottampuri. Later completions were backed by local Zamindar Khushalchand Abbad.

The site holds deep archaeological importance:

• The Largest Yadava Copper Plate: Ramchandra Dev’s final, heaviest known copper inscription was recovered here, recording land grants for the shrine's upkeep.

• Submerged Relics: A past drought in the Godavari bed exposed carved pillars, ornate jangha stone friezes, a pre-Yadava paved ghat, and a distinct Sati stone depicting an equestrian warrior.

Sacred Complex: Triveni Sangam and Holy Ash Mound

Adjacent to the main shrine stands a rare Triveni Sangam temple, housing a 4-foot Varadvinayak Ganapati idol, Goddess Parvati’s Padukas, and a Sahasrashekhar Shiva Pindi together under one roof. To the south lies the Kashi Vishweshwar temple. Nine kilometers downstream sits a historic ash mound (Bhasmacha Tila), marking the ancient sacrificial fires (yajnas) of Vedic sages, where Purnashram Swami later established his hermitage.

Revival, Annadan, and Modern Development

Managed informally for decades by the late village head Jhumbarlal Abbad, the shrine was formalized in 1980 under the Shri Purushottam Devasthan Vishwast Sanstha through citizen efforts led by Baburao Sahadev Golekar. Subsequent public contributions and legislative development funds added a grand assembly hall and Bhaktaniwas. In 2020, the Maharashtra government approved a ₹54-crore development plan, spurring comprehensive infrastructure upgrades since 2023.

A defining living tradition is the relentless Mahaprasad (Annadan): the Abbad family continues to serve free daily meals to every visiting devotee throughout Adhik Maas, preserving a timeless legacy of community faith on the banks of the Godavari.

Author: Manish Kulkarni (Coordinator, Trekkamp-Dharohar, Ahilyanagar) | 7709731 816