History

Kadyavarcha Ganpati This ganesh temple is on hill near Anjarle village, Dapoli, Maharashtra. This temple Surrounding area is naturally beautiful. Anjarle is known for the Kadyawarcha Ganpati temple (Marathi: Ganapati on a cliff). This temple was originally constructed using wooden pillars ca. 1150. It was renovated between 1768 and 1780. Until the recent construction of bridge across the Anjarle creek and the building of a road up to the temple, pilgrims had to cross Anjarle creek (Jog River) in a boat, before climbing the hill using steps which pass through Anjarle village.

The idol at this temple differs from most other representations of the elephant-headed god, in that its trunk curves right, rather than the usual left. This is known as a Ujwya Sondecha Ganpati (Marathi: right-trunked Ganpati). The idol is also said to be a jagrut daiwat (Marathi: live deity), who responds to the pleas of its supplicants (nawsala pavnara Ganpati). The temple has a stone staircase on the right to reach the top of the temple (the Kalas), which has a commanding view of the surrounding coconut and betel nut trees, the nearby Suvarnadurg Fort, the Arabian sea and surrounding hills. There is a pond in front of the temple where visitors can feed large fish and turtles. Beside the temple to Ganesh is a small temple to Lord Shiva.

There are many rumors about the origins of this temple, but unfortunately there is no evidence to shed a light on it. If we were to consider the information received from many fables, then this temple’s creation traces back to the 12th century, and the old structure of this temple was made completely out of wood. The administration of this temple has been with the ‘Nisture’ family from the year 1630. As per the fables, this temple was at the seashore in the ancient days. The same sea shore was home to two other temples of Ajayrayleshwar & Siddhivinayak.