Ekvira
Hindu goddess
title: "Ekvira" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["hindu-temples-in-maharashtra"] description: "Hindu goddess" topic_path: "society/religion" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekvira" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Hindu goddess ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox temple"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Ekvira |
| image | Ekviradevi1.jpg |
| caption | Idol of the goddess |
| map_type | India Maharashtra |
| map_caption | Location in Maharashtra |
| coordinates | |
| native_name | एकविरा आई |
| country | India |
| state | Maharashtra |
| district | Pune |
| location | Karla Caves |
| deity | Ekvira Devi |
| festivals | Navaratri, Chytra Palkhi Festival (March, April) |
| creator | People of Koli ethnic group |
| :: |
| name = Ekvira | image = Ekviradevi1.jpg | alt = | caption = Idol of the goddess | map_type = India Maharashtra | map_caption = Location in Maharashtra | coordinates = | native_name =एकविरा आई | country = India | state = Maharashtra | district = Pune | location = Karla Caves | elevation_m = | deity = Ekvira Devi | festivals = Navaratri, Chytra Palkhi Festival (March, April) | architecture = | inscriptions = | established = | creator =People of Koli ethnic group | website =
Ekvira (also spelled as Ekveera) is a Hindu goddess, regarded to be a form of the goddess Parvati, Yamai and Renuka devi. She is the Kuladevi of the Koli community and is also worshipped by Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community. Every year Kolis pay respect to Ekvira and celebrate the festival in Karla Caves.
Temple
The Ekvira Aai Mandir is a Hindu temple located near the Karla Caves near Lonavala in Maharashtra, India. Here, the worship of the goddess Ekvira is carried on right next to the caves, once a center of Buddhism. The temple is a prime spot of worship for the Aagri and Koli people. The temple-complex originally consisted of three similar shrines built in a row all facing west. Of these, the central and the southern shrines are preserved in full, and the rest of the structures are preserved only on plan. The maha-mandapa, varsha-mandapa and gopura are situated in front of these three shrines and these three shrines are surrounded by sixteen shrines of additional parivara devatas. The devotees throng the temple on all occasions of Navaratri and Chaitra Navratra to worship and celebrate. It is believed that the goddess has magical powers.
The temple is on a hill. One needs to ascend around 500 steps to reach the temple. It is surrounded by the Karla caves, which are now protected by the Archeological department. While the main deity is Ekvira, she is accompanied by a murti of Jogeśvarī Devi. Ekvira is a Hindu goddess, regarded to be a form of the goddess Renuka. She is the kuladevi of the Koli people.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Goddess_Ekvira_Temple_and_karla_Caves.jpg" caption="Goddess Ekvira Temple and Karla Caves"] ::
References
References
- Punekar, Vinaja B.. (1959). "The Son Kolis of Bombay". Popular Book Depot.
- Saravanan, V. Hari. (2014). "Gods, Heroes and their Story Tellers: Intangible cultural heritage of South India". Notion Press.
- Chugh, Lalit. (2017-05-23). "Karnataka's Rich Heritage – Temple Sculptures & Dancing Apsaras: An Amalgam of Hindu Mythology, Natyasastra and Silpasastra". Notion Press.
- (2022-10-28). "Devotional Spaces of a Global Saint: Shirdi Sai Baba's Presence". Taylor & Francis.
- Patil, Nilesh. (April 17, 2011). "Koli community from Thane pay respect to Ekvira Goddess at annual festival".
- Subodh Kapoor. (1 July 2002). "The Indian Encyclopaedia". Cosmo Publications.
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