Janai Malai
Janai Malai (जानाई मळाई) is a Hindu Goddesses temple located on Janai Malai mountain near Satara.
Janai Devi Temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Janai Malai Devi is worshipped in murti form. She is depicted either in standing or sitting position. Sometimes devotees only get to view her head. She is depicted with two or four arms. She holds various weapons like trishul, sword, damru etc.
It is Kuldevi and patron diety of many families of different castes. The original idols of temple are swayambhu. It is believed to be Pandav era temple. The temple is constructed from huge stones of the mountain. The architecture is of Hemadpanti style. The temple was renovated in 1970.
The mountain top Janai Malai temple can be reached by a small trek from Kodoli, Karandwadi, Degaon, Shendri and Khindwadi. Stairs are available from the Kodoli side entry, which is the main and largely used entry point.
As per oral tradition the goddesses first arrived at Diskal village from Karnataka via Konkan. She is called Telangiaaiedevi due to it. From Diskal she moved to Degaon, Karandwadi and Kodoli. Her Paduka are at Kodoli. The goddesses took form of two small girls and insisted a farmer to take them on the mountain top. The farmer took the little girls on the mountain top. Pleased with the farmer they showed him their true form as Adi Shakti, Adi Maya, Brahmanandini, Parvati and disappeared by blessing him at the site of current temple.
The other gods and goddesses present in the Janai Malai temple premises are Shri Mahalakshmi, Waghjai, Tamjai, Kalakdaridevi, Shankar, Ganesh, Hanuman, Bhairoba and Mhasoba. The Balantin, Pailwan, Radtondidevi, Hatti Gudhgha, Mangirbaba are also offered various offerings.
Goddesses Janai Malai is believed to be a kadak (fierce) deity, who causes troubles if not propitiated properly as per the family duties. Janai Malai is worshipped by offering two sari and blouse pieces along with coconut, haldi kumkum, bangles, mangalsutra and rice. The deity is offered puran poli – a sweet or a simpler dish called bharit rodga of onion and brinjal, Bhaji Bhakri and curd milk rice Shitala. The Goddesses is also offered with Gulal Khobare. If one cannot climb the mountain then the offerings can be offered at footstep below at the Sasurvashin temple at entrance.
Bajri Bhakri, egg, rodga and chillim is offered to Mhasoba. Baby clothes, Kajal, braid and comb is offered to Balantin
The Daitya or monsters are offered flesh of Chicken, Goat or Sheep but it is strictly offered outside the temple premises.
An important part of the Diety-sect is navas, a vow to perform service to the god in return for a boon of good harvest, male child, financial success etc. On fulfilment of the navas, diety is offered as promised. The deity is to be called awake or "jagrut". The priests here are Guravs, not Brahmins.