Kunkeshwar Temple

Kunkeshwar Temple, an ancient Shiva Temple is located in Kunkeshwar village, 14 Kms from Devgad town. A pristine beach with a very long stretch of seashore and white sand adds to the beauty of temple surroundings.

This beautiful temple near beach has alluring architecture with reminiscent of South Indian style of temple architecture. Yadav Kings built this temple in 1100 A. D. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who rejuvenated this temple many times was a frequent visitor to this temple. This temple is also famous as Kashi of South Konkan. Every year a huge celebration takes place on the occasion of Mahashivratri, which keeps religious beliefs in constant sight of the multitudes. During the festival a large number of devotees throng this place with their families and friends. This vigilant Shiva deity bestows blessings on everyone who surrenders to its feet.

Every temple has an story kunkeshwar has story of irani sailor according to story the temple of Kunkeshwar was built many years back. Once a sailor traveling in the sea for trade came near the beach of Kunkeshwar. Suddenly a a havoc appeared in sea . The sailor was a Muslim .The ship seemed to sink in the sea. He saw a lamp on that beach .He prayed to that lamp “I don’t know who you are. But if you will help me and stop the havoc I will build a temple for you”. And his ship came to the seashore of Kunkeshwar without any problem. He built the temple as promised. The Shivlinga was already there. As the Sailor was a non-Hindu, he thought that his religion will not accept him. Therefore he committed suicide from the top of temple.but according to research such stories are spred to protect the temple from mughal sultans.

On the eastern side of the temple has pandav times caves The caves are with beautifully carved male and female warriors in black rock. With the presence of Ganesh idol along with Shiv-linga and Nandi in the center, this place is must see for every visitor.