Khandobachi Jejuri is well-known for its sword-lifting contest that is held the day after Dussehra. But not much is known about the 42-kg khanda, the sword housed in the temple.
The carvings on the sword say it was gifted to the deity by Maratha sardars Mahiptrao Panse and Ramrao Panse.
Many people gather to take up the challenge to lift and balance the sword offered by the brothers to the temple when their wish was granted.
The one who keeps the sword aloft for the maximum time wins the contest. The competition is being held from the time of Peshwas. This year the contest will be held on Friday.
The exact history about the khanda is still not known. Even the trustee of the temple doesn’t have information about the sword.
Author of Kuldaivat Khandoba, Vithhal Thombare said that the sword may have been offered after success in some battle. Though the exact year is not known it is assumed in historical reference that it was offered between 1763 and 1766, he said.
There is a tradition to worship weapons on the occasion of Dashehra. The sword completion is the modern form of ‘pawad’ , the tradition which was banned by the British, said the Ganesh Tak of Jejuri, who is involved in the research of Khandoba.
But ‘pawad’ still continues in the Khandoba temple at Devargudda and Mrunmailar in Haveri and Ballari districts in Karnataka.
The khanda is a rare asset. The idols of Khandoba in Maharashtra and other states and the historical weapons and other articles in the temple should be preserved, Tak said.
Researchers from Germany, Japan and other countries have visited the temple to witness the sword competition , which is considered a symbol of ‘Bhakti-Shakti’.
The sword is a major attraction for the visitors. The devotees consider its auspicious to touch the sword. Late Dr Gunther Sontheimer, director of Asian Institute of Heidelberg university. Germany has made a documentary on the sword in Jejuri temple which was shown in various countries. He has also included the reference of Khandoba in his book pastoral deities in western India.
Many famous personalities like the Shankaracharya of Karveerpeeth, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, deputy chief minister RR Patil, Shivsena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray, Sena leader and present Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Manohar Joshi, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Congress leader Narayan Rane, film personalities Ramesh Deo, Bal Dhuri, Mohan Joshi, Gajendra Ahire, Milind Gunaji, Ashwini Bhave. Singer Anuradha Paudwal, UOP vice chancellor Narendra Jadhav has visited the place.
Khandoba is worshipped in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Kerala and West Bengal.
Yet Khandoba Jejuri, the major tourist place for pilgrims is far from development. Mhalsa Devi who is supposed to be the spouse of Khandoba, is worshipped in Nepal too. The goddess was the ‘kuldevi’ of the royal family of Nepal. The Mhalsa Narayani temple in Kathmandu is well-known. Researchers and devotees have been demanding to declare the idol and the temple as a national asset.
