Another aspect of goddess worship
This is the place where another aspect of Goddess worship is found. where Mother Durga stayed in the cave after killing Mahishasura. The spot is 60km away from Nashik of Maharasthra. The reason for such name is that this sacred land is surrounded by seven hills. Another name of Ma Durga is Saptashrungi. The transport system to reach here is quite good as busses reach right near the temple.
The temple is located on the top of the hill and there are stairs as well as ropeway to climb the hill. There are also a temple of Mahishasura before the main temple entrance. Here many swear by their hairs. There are 510 steps to climb the gad. The temple is also known popularly as one of the “three and half Shakti Peethas” of Maharashtra. The temple is also one among the 51 Shakti Peethas located on the Indian subcontinent and is a location where one of Sati’s (wife of Lord Shiva) limbs, her right arm is reported to have fallen.
The time of temple visit is 5 am to 7 pm. Here the prasad reception area is very big. Markandeya hill is just next to it and there is a big pond here which is called Markendeya Kunda. Many devotees worship Saptashrungi Mata by taking bath here. It is also said that Ram, Laxman and Sita came here to offer puja to Saptashrungi Mata. Another story is hanuman came here to get Medicines for Laxman when he was pierced by an arrow.There is another very old temple named Siddheshwari Temple made by Granite which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
