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Satara, a peaceful city in Maharashtra is not only known for its natural beauty and historic forts but also for its spiritual culture. If you are ready to set out on a spiritual journey, make sure to visit the top temples in Satara. The town was established back in the 16th century and serves as the seat for the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Kingdom. This place is home to many old temples and religious sites that offer us a glimpse into the past. People from all across the country come here to explore the rich history, tradition, and architecture of temples.
Top 10 Temples In Satara
Temples in Satara offer a unique blend of serenity and spiritual awakening. Whether religious or not, witnessing these shrines is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
1. Pateshwar Temple
Photo: Ricardo Santanna / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Satara temples are known for their uniqueness. Built in the 16th century, Pateshwar Temple happens to be one of the oldest shrines in the city. This temple houses around 1000 Shiva lingams, which are placed everywhere within the premises. Apart from that, the temple is also popular for its intricate rock carvings and sculptures. Despite being a busy religious site, the temple offers a peaceful atmosphere. To reach the shrine, you are required to trek through dense forests and hills. Once you reach your destination, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Location: Degaon, Maharashtra 415004
Timings: 9 AM – 12 PM; 3 PM – 5 PM
2. Chidambaram Nataraja Mandir
Photo: Emilien Lebourgeois / Wikimedia Commons
While Chidambaram Nataraja Mandir is not the biggest temple in Satara, it has a rich history. Since Vyasa-puja was popular in Satara, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji wanted to build a temple for Sri Nataraja. If you look at the architecture of the temple, you will realise that it is modelled after the ancient Nataraja temple in Chidambaram. After the foundation was laid in May 1981, the temple received financial support from the governments of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, which helped to complete the construction. It took over three years to complete the temple.
Location: Aditya Nagari, Satara, Maharashtra 415003
Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM; 3 PM – 8:30 PM
3. Dholya Ganpati Temple
Photo: Prashant Kharote / Wikimedia Commons
Being the oldest temple in Satara, Dholya Ganpati offers a fine spiritual experience to visitors. This temple is named after the large (Dholya) idol of Lord Ganesha, which is placed at the centre and can be easily seen from outside. The speciality of the idol is that it is made of a single, large stone. Besides that, the temple is built on the banks of the Krishna River, which is known for its religious significance. Due to the picturesque location of the temple, you should visit it during that time.
Location: Guruwar Peth, Satara, Maharashtra 415002
Timings: 6 AM – 10 PM
4. Nataraja Temple
Photo: Jaiju Jacob / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Lord Nataraj is one of the powerful avatars of Lord Shiva, who is known for his dance (Rudra Tandava). If you are a devotee, you must visit the Nataraja Temple, which is only a district away from Satara. This temple is not just popular among tourists, but also locals. People come here to worship Lord Shiva in his cosmic dancer form and enjoy the peaceful ambience. While you are at the temple, you can take a closer look at the fine craftsmanship and sculptures.
Location: Aditya Nagari, Satara, Maharashtra 415003
Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM; 3 PM – 8:30 PM
5. Shikhar Shingnapur Temple
Photo: सुभाष राऊत / Wikimedia Commons
Although Shikhar Shingnapur Temple is located 45 km away from Satara, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit this temple. This is an ancient shrine that is perched on a hilltop and dedicated to Lord Shiva. To make the journey to the shrine easier, a motor-able road has been built. Not only that, but the temple is also well-maintained. They have made renovations to make the old structure durable. The exterior of the temple features beautiful sculptures while the interior is serene. Once you step inside the temple, you can get a good darshan of Lord Shiva here.
Location: Shikhar Road, Shikhar Shinganapur, Satara – 415508
Timings: 7 AM – 10 PM
6. Nandgiri Shri Parshavanath Digambar Jain Temple
Photo: Sharvarism / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Nandgiri Shri Parshavnath Digambar Jain Temple is a well-known religious site for Jains, which is dedicated to Lord Parshavnath, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism. What’s unique about this shrine is that it is located inside a cave at Nandgiri Fort. The cave is 30 metres long and houses an idol of Jain Tirthankara. Since this place is considered very auspicious, people of the Jain community come here to pray and meditate. When entering the shrine, you need to be careful as the cave doesn’t have proper lighting.
Location: Shri 1008 Parshwanath Jain Cave Temple Rd, near Kalyangad, Dhumalwadi, Maharashtra 415021
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
7. Savitri Temple
Photo: Chandan Parihar / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Reaching Savitri Temple can be challenging as you are required to climb around 970 steps. But once you reach the top, you can treat yourself to the lovely panoramic views. This temple is home to Lord Brahma’s wives – Savitri and Gayatri. Every year, the temple organises Jagrana on the Saptami of Bhado month, attracting thousands of devotees from all over.
Location: Satara District
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
8. Meruling Temple
Photo: Roman Saienko / PexelsCommons / Image For Representation Only
When talking about popular temples, you must include this hidden gem in your itinerary. Although this temple is small, it has its significance and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. For those unversed, the temple is located in a peaceful village near Satara, where you can enjoy lush green surroundings. Both tourists and locals come to the temple to offer their prayers. To make the most of your visit, you should try to be present during the puja hours. The peaceful ambiance along with the presence of Lord Shiva makes this shrine a must-visit.
Location: Satara Mountains
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
9. Yawteshwar Temple
Photo: / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Yawteshwar Temple is considered one of the best temples, mainly because of its maintenance. However, the main highlight of the shrine is the two Nandis confronting Lord Shiva. Usually, Shiva temples have only one Nandi, but in Yawteshwar Temple, there are two. Additionally, there’s a Bhairav temple within the compound. Since the temple is located on Kaas road, you can easily access it via public transport. For a more pleasant experience, you can take a car ride to the temple and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way.
Location: Dare Bk., Maharashtra 415002
Timings: 5 AM – 10 PM
10. Panchmukhi Ganesha Mandir
Photo: Abhimanyu Shivkumar / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Established in 1977, Panchmukhi Ganesha Mandir is one of the most unique temples. As the name suggests, this temple is known for the five-faced (Panchmukhi) idol of Lord Ganesha. Due to the spiritual significance of the place, the temple is revered by both tourists and locals. It is believed that the idol of Lord Ganesha has special powers, which can remove hurdles from one’s life. As far as the architecture of the temple is concerned, it is rather simple. However, the energy within the temple is palpable and draws devotees from various places.
Location: 605, Khalcha Rasta, Budhwar Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Malhar Peth, Satara, Maharashtra 415002
Timings: 5:30 AM – 9 PM
Temples in Satara are not just places of worship but are symbols of the region’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Each religious site tells a unique story and features architectural brilliance. As you explore these sacred places, you not only create memories but also form a connection with the culture. Plan a trip with TripXL and further enhance your travel experience to make the most of your trip.
Cover Photo: Saranya Chidambaram / Wikimedia Commons
