Tuḷjā Bhavānī

Tuḷjā Bhavānī of Tuḷjāpur is one of the 51 Shakti Pīṭhas and the kul-devī of Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680), the founder of the Maratha empire. The goddess is said to have given Shivaji his sword Bhavānī-talwar. Shivaji visited the temple before every military campaign. The temple has an unusual svayam-bhū idol made of black granite, 3-ft high, 8-armed. Principal offering: mogra and jasmine garlands. The Tuḷjā Bhavānī Jayantī (Āśvin Pūrṇimā) draws half a million pilgrims. - **Lo