Jotiba's Hill

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This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.

Vadi Ratnagiri

Hill in the State of Kolhapur, Bombay, situated in 16 degree 48' N. and 74 degree 13' E., about 9 miles north-west of Kolhapur town. It rises about 1,000 feet from the plain in a truncated cone, and, though disconnected, forms part of the Panhala spur which stretches from the crest of the Western Ghats to the Kistna. On the wooded hill-top is a small village with 1,400 in- habitants, mostly priests of Jotiba. From very ancient times this hill has been considered especially sacred. In the middle of the village is a group of temples, three of which are dedicated to Jotiba, under the names of Kedarling, Kedareshwar, and Ramling. According to a local legend, Amba Bai of Kolhapur, being disturbed by demons, went to Kedamath in the Himalaya hills, practised severe penance, and prayed him to destroy the demons. In answer to her prayers Kedareshwar came to Jotiba's Hill, bringing with him and setting up the present Kedar lingatn. The original temple is said to have been built by one Navjl Saya. In its place Ranojl Sindhia built the present temple in 1730. The second temple of Kedareshwar was built by Daulat Rao Sindhia in 1808. The third temple of Ramling, including the dome, was built about 1780 by one Malji Nilam Panhalkar.

In a small domed shrine in front of the temple of Kedareshwar are two sacred bulls of black stone. Close to these temples is a shrine sacred to Chopdai, which was built by Priti Rao Himmat Bahadur in 1760. A few yards outside of the village stands a temple of Yamai, built by Ranojl Sindhia. In front of this are two sacred cisterns, one of which is said to have been built by Jijabai Sahib about 1743; the other, called Jamadagnya firth, was built by Ranojl Sindhia. Most of the temples on Jotiba's Hill are made of a fine blue basalt which is found on the hills. In many parts the style of architecture, which is strictly Hindu, is highly ornamented, several of the sculptured figures being covered with brass and silver plates. The chief object of worship is Jotiba, who, though called the son of the sage Pangand, is believed to have been Pangand himself, reincarnated to help the rulers of the Deccan in their fights with the demons. According to tradition, Jotiba's destruction of one of the demons named Ratnasur gave the place the name of Ratnigiri. In honour of the victory over the demon, on the full moon of Chaitra (March- April) a yearly fair is held attended by 40,000 or 50,000 people, some of whom come from great distances. Besides this great fair, small fairs are held every Sunday and full moon day and on the 6th of the bright half of Shrivan (August). On these days the image is carried round the temple in a litter with great pomp.