PLACES

PARAVARA SANGAM

Located at a distance of ten miles from Nevasa, the head-quarters of the taluka bearing the same name in which the village is situated, Pravara Sangam is a village covering an area of 3.2 square miles and having a population of 1,735 souls as per the Census of 1971. The village stands on Ahmadnagar-Aurangabad road and it can be reached by the State Transport buses from Pune, Ahmadnagar and Shevgaon. It is considered to be a holy place for as the name indicated there is a confluence of the rivers Pravara and Godavari at the place. The village has a post and telegraph office. The two rivers form the main source of water-supply to the village populace. In the village, facilities exist only for primary education. Medical facilities are provided by the private medical practitioners. A weekly market is held at Pravara Sangam on every Wednesday. A Government rest-house is also located in the village.

The objects of interest in the village are three temples of God Shiva, viz., Sangameshvar, Gautameshvar and Ghateshvar and the temple of Ganga, i.e., the Godavari, near the temple of Sangameshvar. A fair is held at the sangam or confluence of Pravara and Godavari.

Of these temples, the construction of the Sangameshvar temple is after Hemadpanti style whereas the construction of the two other Shiva temples is simple. The Shiva lingas in the three temples are of black stone.

Sangameshvar is believed to be capable of fulfilling one's desires. The devotees therefore make different vows to the deity and on fulfilment thereof make offering to the deity as promised. The vows are generally in respect of offering of coconuts, sugar-candy, sweetmeats, etc.

Pilgrims of all castes amongst Hindus participate in the fair. The peasantry of the area attend the fair along with their families. The average annual congregation at the fair is estimated at about seventy thousand.

The devotees who assemble at the fair take bath at the confluence of the rivers Pravara and Godavari, observe fast and worship the deities. During the fair abhisheka, laghu rudra and maha rudra in honour of the deities are performed by the devotees.

Most of the pilgrims camp in the sands in the river-bed erecting small tents. No pandals, etc., are erected for accommodating the pilgrims. Some pilgrims camp in the dharmashala near the Village Panchayat office. Some leave the place after paying homage to the deity.

Many shop-keepers open their stalls during the fair period. These comprise those selling utensils, cloth, stationery, groceries, sweetmeats, toys and religious books. The turn-over is estimated at a lakh of rupees.

The main items of entertainment at the fair are touring talkies, folk-dramas (tamashas), swings, circus, magic feats, etc.

The programmes of kirtans, kathas and bhajans are also attended by the pilgrims.

During the period of the fair local revenue officials visit the place of the fair to supervise and guide the arrangements. Police and Home Guards help in maintaining law and order.

The three temples of Sangameshvar, Ghateshvar and Gautameshvar at Pravara Sangam are believed to form part of the eight temples deemed holy as ashtasthans of Lord Shiva or Shankar. The other five temples are Siddheshvar at village Toka in the same taluka, Mukteshvar at Jamgaon and Rameshvar at Kaigaon, both in Gangapur taluka of Aurangabad district and Maleshvar and Khuleshvar in Mhalpur village.

Sangameshvar is deemed to be the holiest amongst all, and the palanquin of Siddheshvar is carried to Sangameshvar.

The temple of Ghateshvar is believed to have been built at the place where the urn of amrita which was churned out of the sea by gods and demons was deposited. According to a legend the amrita is believed to have been distributed amongst the gods by Lord Vishnu at Nevasa, when demon Rahu is said to have mingled amongst the gods. On detecting that Rahu had taken amrita by practising deceit, God Vishnu, who was distributing it, cut off Rahu's head. Amrita from Rahu's throat is believed to have spilt into Pravara. Hence the river Pravara is called " Amrita Vahini" between Nevasa and Pravara Sangam.

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