Loteshwar Mahadev Temple, Dugave, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India
The swayambhu Shri Loteshwar Mahadev Temple is situated in Dugave village, 22 km from Ratnagiri city, in the state of Maharashtra, India.
Loteshwar Temple is perched on a big stone in a flowing rivulet bed, at the foot of a hill. There are two routes to the temple. The temple may be approached from the rivuletbed in one route, and in the other, a tiny bridge has been built on one side of the rivulet to reach the temple. The carvings atop this temple are breathtaking, attractive, and one-of-a-kind. This place has retained special significance since antiquity.
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The paddy fields on both sides and the walkway made through lead us to this shrine. There is a swayambhu Shivlinga on a jambha stone in the temple.
According to legend, the existing temple site was formerly surrounded by a dense forest. In the village, there lived a Brahmin who had cows and bullocks. There was a herder to look after them. Every day, the herder would take the cattle to graze. One of the cows would always heading to the rock where Swayambhu Shri Loteswara is currently situated, avoiding the cowherd's attention.
There was a dense vine network. She would then climb to a high rock, spill the milk, and return to the animals. The herder had no idea. Brahmin would suspect the herder of stealing milk since the cow was not milking. When the herder kept an eye on the cow one day, he was shocked by what he saw. Herder approached Brahmin and told him what he had witnessed. The Brahmin became outraged. He followed the vines and hit the spot with his sickle, which had become entangled in the vines. The vines' rope snapped, revealing the Shivlinga. The Shivlinga was slightly pierced as a result of the hit.
The beauty of this site is enhanced during the monsoon season. This temple perched on a rock in the middle of a rivulet that overflows during the monsoon looks to be imbued with enchanted force. The atmosphere is peaceful, auspicious and pleasurable.
