About Shree Kshetra Parshuram

At a distance of 12.5 kms from Chiplun Bus Station, Parshuram Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Parshuram village near the town of Chiplun in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. Also known as Shree Kshetra Parshuram, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in the Konkan region, and among the must include places during your Konkan visit.

Parshuram Temple is dedicated to Lord Parshuram, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the important places in Chiplun to visit. Since Parashuram created Konkan land, he is considered the presiding deity of the Konkan region. The temple was constructed by the Portuguese and the funds for its construction were provided by Janjirekar & Siddi. The temple was rebuilt by Swami Paramhansa Brahmendra. He was the Guru of Kanhoji Angre of Kolaba, Peshwa of Pune, Chhatrapati Sahu Maharaj, Tararani of Kolhapur.

According to the legend, Parashurama is an immortal incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Parashuram had twenty-one battles to get rid of brutal Kshatriya Kings who had given up principles of dharma. Kshatriya kings Janak or Ikshwaku who ruled by principles were not harmed. Later, Parshurama donated the entire earth to Maharshi Kashyap, thus he could not reside on that land. Hence, Parshurama shot an arrow in the Arabian sea to push it back and reclaim the land of Konkan. Parshurama chose the Mahendragiri peak as his permanent abode. This is the spot where the temple is located. It is believed that at sunrise Lord Parshurama leaves for the Himalayas to perform penance and return to the temple at sunset.

Lord Parshuram is the son of Jamdagni Rishi and Mother Renuka. Akshaya Tritiya is known to be his day of birth. This Bhargavrama was known to destroy the demons with the ‘Parshu’ weapon and thus he came to be known as ‘Parshuram’.

The temple has a splendid architectural beauty, which incorporates both the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. The steps from the Ghat lead to the temple premises. The main temple is surrounded by stone walls. The main sanctum has three elaborate idols namely Kal, Kam, and Parshuram. These three idols were brought here 300 years ago by Brahmendra Swami. Shri Parshuram's bed has been kept inside the temple and his traditional footwear 'Paduka' is known to be kept on his bed. There is also a temple of Goddess Renuka behind the Parashuram Temple. The legend goes that the Banganga lake at this site was created after Parashuram shot five arrows into the land.

It is considered to be a holy site by devotees of Lord Parshuram and attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year, especially during the festival of Akshaya Tritiya.

Apart from the Parshuram Temple in Chiplun, there are also several other temples dedicated to Lord Parshuram in the Konkan region, including the Parshuram Temple in Guhagar, the Parshuram Temple in Pali, and the Parshuram Temple in Kudal. Each of these temples has its own unique history and significance, and they are all popular destinations for devotees of Lord Parshuram.

How to reach Parshuram Temple in Chiplun

Here are some ways to reach the temple:
By Air: The nearest airport to Chiplun is the Mumbai International Airport, which is located approximately 250 km away from the town. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Chiplun.

By Train: Chiplun has its own railway station, which is well-connected to major cities in Maharashtra and other parts of India. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.

By Road: Chiplun is located on the Mumbai-Goa highway and is well-connected by road to major cities in Maharashtra and other parts of India. You can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Chiplun. The Parshuram Temple is located about 12.5 kms away from the Chiplun bus stand, and you can either walk or take a rickshaw to reach the temple.

Overall, Chiplun is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra, and there are several options available to reach the town, including private taxis, buses, and trains.