Vajreshwari Temple, Virar, Thane, Maharashtra

Vajreshwari Temple is situated near the banks of Tansa river which is more than 300 years old. It is located in between the Shirsad Ambadi road. Its distance from Mumbai and Thane is 70km. The mountain belt in which it is located is volcanically active giving rise to numerous hotsprings scattered around it in Ganeshpuri region. Vajreshwari can be visited throughout the year.

How Vajreshwari Temple was formed?

During 1739, Chimaji Appa who was the younger brother of Peshwa Bajirao 1 was set to capture the Bassein fort or Vasai fort held by Portuguese. But after numerous attempts he failed to do so. Years passed, not 1 not 2 more than 3 years the fort was unconquerable. Chimaji Appa prayed to Vajreshwari and asked to help him conquer the fort after which he will build a temple for the goddess. After gaining victory on 16 May, Chimnaji Appa ordered his officer Shankar Keshav Phadke to build the Vajreshwari temple.

Chimaji Appa conquered forts like Belapur and Vasai and got married to Rakhmabai and gave birth to Sadashivrao who led the Maratha forces in the historic third battle of Panipat against Mughals.

The temple walls and structure are similar to the Vasai fort construction of the same era.

Who is Vajreshwari Devi?

There are 3 devis in the temple known as Renuka Devi, Vajreshwari Devi and Kalika Devi of which the Vajreshwari devi is the most revered one and main deity of the temple. Vajreshwari also known as Vajrabai and Vajrayogini, is an incarnation of the goddess Parvati (Adi-Maya). Vajra means lightining thunder.

Vajreshwari Mandir Premises

Vajreshwari Mandir Premises

Vajreshwari temple is surrounded by jungles and mountains. There are lots of trees in Vajreshwari region. Some trees are very big and huge. The temple premise has some of the huge trees. 

One has to climb around 50 steps to reach the temple entrance. This is built up like a fort with walls and bastion(buruj). The temple is located inside the fort walls. There are numerous stalls outside the temple selling thalis as well as some artifacts.

A golden tortoise is also carved on one of the steps and worshipped as Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu.

A deep mahal is constructed just outside the entrance

The fort walls are constructed beautifully with rock carvings all over the temple premises and walls. The kaman or dome at the entrance is big and is similar to entrances of that of a fort. There are 2 kaman or entrance arch while entering the premises and in between an area as a gate for guards or soldiers of that time. 

After entering through the steps one enter the temple premises which opens up into the assembly hall which laters opens into the main sanctum garbha gruha whre the idols of Vajreshwari devi is placed. The assembly hall is big and with stone carved pillars with intricate designs. There are 2 door arches with pillars which open on north south direction to enter the open area of the temple as shown in the first picture of the blog.

Entrance stone arch of Vajreshwari Temple

There is a painting at the assembly hall depicting Chimaji Appa capturing the fort, Vajreshwari Temple and sadhus performing yajanas.

Temple Fort Walls and Bastion (Buruj)

The temple is inside a fortified structure with bastions (buruj). The walls are similar to that of a vasai fort in construction. There are entry in buruj with quite a good amount of space inside. The walls have carvings as well as there are watch window provided in walls like its provided in fort.

There are stairs leading to the top area of fortified walls which has a deck to see and keeping watch the entrance of the temple premises.

Small carvings made in fort falls

Watch window provided at the fort walls which was used to keep a vigil outside

Entrance inside the buruj of the temple fort. The entrance is low but the space inside the cylindrical buruj is quite big having quite large windows

Bastion (buruj) window

The window inside the buruj having large windows and a good height of the ceiling

Mandakini mountain can be seen clearly from Vajreshwari temple

There is a big tree around which many people have tied orange cloth to gain their wishes and make them to fulfil.

Vajreshwari Temple Architechture

Vajreshwari Temple Architechture

Vajreshwari Temple Architechture

There are many other small temples in the premises of main Vajreshwari temple. There is a datta mandir, a hanuman temple, a shiv temple with mukut on it, some old stone relics as well as after a short hill climb the samadhi of 17th century saint Godhadebuwa on the hilltop.

A small rockcut deepmahal to light diyas 

A shivling temple just beside the main Vajreshwari temple. The lingi is covered with the mukut of Shiv and snake wrapped around its neck and his vehicle (vahan) a mouse at the back.

A Hanuman temple in the area of Vajreshwari which is at the second entrance of the temple fort.

Small Shiv idols kept aside the main temple premises donated by people.

Weight Scale

There is a weight scale kept near the Vajreshwari temple. The weight scale is used by the people if they have to make an offering or navas (vow). They pray to have a child and then after getting their wishes fulfilled they weigh the child and keep it in one plate while keep dakshinas, offering, gold or money on the other plate till it balances and offer it to the temple equal to the weight of child.

Old relics

There are some old relics spread around the temple such as rock cut stones and idols or some inscriptions. These old relics are actually spread all around the region of Vajreshwari Ganeshpuri Gunj. Some are rectangular with feet carved in it, some are cylindrical with design.

Old rock cut relics

Feet or paduka carved in the rock as well as a round rock placed upon the cylindrical rock stand.

Saint Godhade Samadhi

Just besides the Vajreshwari temple a path goes up the hill and 2 min walk up will take you to the samadhi of 17th century Saint Godhade. This place is windy peaceful and calm. One can see the Tansa river as well as Mandakini mountain clearly from here.

Datta Mandir

There is a small temple known as Datta mandir behind the main Vajreshwari temple. This temple is unique in sense that this temple is enclosing a tree which is the Rudraksh tree growing in this region unlike where Rudraksh tree which is just grown and found in foothills of Himalayas.

How to reach Vajreshwari Temple:

Mumbai Thane to Vajreshwari - 70km from (Mumbai-Jaipur highway)

Panvel to Vajreshwari - 70km from (Shilphata-Kalyan-Bhiwandi road)

Palghar to Vajreshwari - 60km from (Mumbai-Jaipur highway)

Virar to Vajreshwari - 30km

Nashik to Vajreshwari - 140km (Mumbai Nashik highway)

Nearest railway station is Virar

One can catch bus to wada and alight at Ambadi naka and then take share auto or one can catch share auto from Virar or Virar phata. Private vehicle is easy to reach.

Timings of Vajreshwari Temple (tend to vary)

Opening time: 5:30AM with Puja

11:15AM - Afternoon Aarti

7:00PM - Puja

8:15PM - Aarti

9:00PM - Last Aarti (Closing time)

Car parking is in locals backyard. They charge Rs 50 for parking. If you buy the thali for offering then they adjust it in parking. A way of life. The jungles towards the samadhi are not maintained properly. People come do puja and cook food and leave all the plates and plastics as it is. 

PLEASE KEEP THE INDIAN ARCHITECHTURE AND FOREST CLEAN AND GREEN. AFTER DOING THE RITUALS CLEAN UP THE AREA. THE FOREST AND FORTS ARE OUR ANCESTORAL LEGACY. KEEP IT CLEAN AND KEEP IT MOVING FORWARD