Pune: On the occasion of the first Shravan Monday, ritual worship was conducted at the Shri Kapardikeshwar Temple in Otur, Junnar Taluka, at 6 AM. Ramdas Shridhar Yevale and his wife, along with Akshay Balasaheb Dhamale, had the honor of performing the first Shravan Monday Aarti.

Present at the occasion were temple trustees Anil Tambe, Gandhi Pansare, Jitu Anna Dumbare, Sagar Date, Sachin Tambe, and Amol Kaka Dumbare. Following the Aarti, the temple was opened for devotees to visit.

The temple was adorned with artistically crafted rice decorations on the Shiva Lingam and vibrant floral arrangements. Devotees chanted "Har Har Bholenath" as they queued for darshan. Every year, the pilgrimage of Shri Kapardikeshwar, the village deity of Otur, takes place during the month of Shravan.

Devotees from across the state visit Otur to see the artistic rice decorations on the Shiva Lingam at Shri Kapardikeshwar Temple and to seek darshan. During Shravan, these rice decorations are created every Monday. Devotees believe that their wishes are fulfilled by seeking darshan at the temple.

History of Temple

Shri Babaji Chaitanya Maharaj, while performing penance on the banks of the Mandvi River, created a sand Shiva Lingam and discovered a cowrie shell in the sand containing a small Shiva Lingam. The cowrie, known as "Kaprdi" in Sanskrit, gave the Shiva Lingam its name, Kapardikeshwar, and it was established in the 12th century.

Nestled in the picturesque surroundings on the crescent-shaped banks of the Mandvi River, this ancient grand temple continues the tradition started by the priests of creating dry rice sculptures on the Shiva Lingam every year.

The rice sculptures, made of dry rice and balanced on a lemon on the Shiva Lingam, are a significant draw for devotees. As a result, over 100,000 devotees visit the temple each Shravan Monday for darshan. In addition to the pilgrimage, visitors can also enjoy wrestling matches held during the Shravan Monday festival.