Shri Renuka Mata Temple (The Glass Temple) , Sonai , Ahilyanagar

Shri Renuka Mata Temple (The Glass Temple) Ahilyanagar district is as historically important as it is religiously significant. Nevasa taluka is home to many religious sites. This taluka is blessed with the confluence of three rivers: Pravara, Mula, and Godavari. It features numerous temples that introduce our cultural heritage, such as the group of ancient Shiva temples at the Pravara confluence, the Mohiniraj Temple in Nevasa city, the world-famous Shani Shingnapur (made fear-free by Lord Shani's blessings), the Paisa Khamb temple where Dnyaneshwar Mauli wrote the Dnyaneshwari while leaning against a pillar, the highly energetic Devgad, and the widely known Shri Datta Sadhakashram Temple in Chanda.
In today's article, let us get acquainted with a relatively new spiritual place. The village of Sonai is located at a distance of seven kilometers from the famous Shani Shingnapur. It is said that Machindranath renounced a golden brick in this very village, hence it was named Sonai. Just two kilometers away from Sonai is a scenic place called Belhekarwadi. This hamlet is known for its Glass Renuka Mata Temple. Having gained popularity in a very short time, this temple is a must-visit.
Yogiraj Hansteerth Swami, also known as Shri Annaswami Maharaj, established this temple in the year 1954. There is a popular legend regarding its establishment. Shri Anna Maharaj was known as a tireless foot pilgrim. He was famous in the region as a 'Siddha Mahapurush' (enlightened sage). Legend has it that while engrossed in deep meditation in a distant land, Goddess Jagdamba manifested before him and told him to return to his native village, Sonai. She said she would manifest there at the right time, and he should establish her and worship her there. Overwhelmed by the Goddess's darshan, Anna Maharaj narrated this entire incident to his father, Krishnanand Saraswati. To obey the Goddess's command, the entire family returned to their village without a moment's delay.
Anna Maharaj built a thatched hut there and started living with his family. Days passed, and Anna Maharaj spent his life practicing meditation. One day, while ploughing the field, he found an idol of Goddess Renuka in the ground. Seeing that Mother Jagdamba's vision had come true, the entire family was overjoyed. A small temple was constructed right where the idol was found, under the supervision of Krishnanand Saraswati. Shri Anna Maharaj consecrated the idol on the day of Kartik Shuddha Ashtami.
Word spread in the surrounding areas that Mother Renuka had manifested. Thousands of people started visiting the temple for the Goddess's darshan. The unique feature of this temple is that, inspired by Shri Siddhanath Maharaj, Anna Maharaj created the 'Omkar Yantra'. Goddess Jagdamba was installed upon this very Omkar Yantra. It is said that this is the only Siddha Omkar Yantra in the entire world. Therefore, this temple is also referred to as the Omkar Shaktipeeth.
The small temple built in 1954 was given a grand form later in 1991. A magnificent eight-foot idol of Goddess Durga is seated at the entrance of the temple. It is said that this idol was sculpted in a single day directly under the supervision of Anna Maharaj. The general architecture of the temple consists of a Mukhamandap (entrance porch), Sabhamandap (assembly hall), Antaral (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The interior of the temple is decorated with many types of glass pieces. Replicas of various secret Yantra Chakras, made from glass pieces, can be seen on the ceiling of the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, one can have the darshan of the 'Tandala' (formless stone deity) of Mother Renuka. Right below this sanctum, in the basement, one gets the darshan of Goddess Jagdamba seated on the Omkar Yantra.
Installations of other deities are also found in the temple premises. Specifically, deities like Jaladevata, Nagadevata, Kalabhairav, Saptayogini, Shri Dattatreya, Audumbar Chhaya, Chaturai Mata, Shri Vetal, etc., are present. Various religious festivals are celebrated in the temple throughout the year. Among them, Vasant Navaratri, Guru Purnima, and Shardiya Navaratri witness a massive turnout of devotees.
Author: Vishal Lahoti (Founder, Dharohar)