An Ancient Temple, Karneshwar - Sangmeshwar

We have traveled many places across Konkan in Maharashtra - Arabian Sea cost from Mumbai to Goa -

Mumbai - Alibag - Kashid and Murud - Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar - Harnai - Dapoli - Velneshwar - Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri - Goa.

After exploring some of the fascinating places in Ratnagiri, Ganpatipule and Velneshwar, we visited Karneshwar temple in Sangmeshwar, on our way back to Pune. 

We took our lunch at Sangmeshwar while returning back from Ganpatipule. Sangameshwar is also a base point to visit Marleshwar Shiva Temple, a cave temple located at 17 kms from Devrukh and 44 kms from Sangameshwar Station. This railway station is also on Mumbai - Ratnagiri train track. Sangameshwar is connected to Mumbai by train also. Many travellers club these temples - Karneshwar Temple and Marleshwar Temple, while visiting from nearby places.

Sangameshwar is a taluka in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The meaning of Sangama in Marathi is 'confluence', and so the name "Sangmeshwar". In Sangmeshwar the two rivers Sonavi and Shastri flow together. As far as history is concerned, this is the place where Sambhaji Raje, son of Chhtrapati Shivaji was captured by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Sambhaji was tortured and executed in Tulapur.

Karneshwar Temple, Kasaba, Sangameshwar

Sangameshwar is a coastal hamlet on NH-17. Above map will help you to reach there. This was not in our plan. But while coming back from Ganpatipule to Pune, we decided to visit this place. Karneshwar temple is 1600 years old Lord Shiva temple at 4 kms from Sangameshwar. It can be reached following a narrow street off the NH-17 road approx 1 KM. You can reach this place asking about Kasaba.

Address: Kasaba, Sangameshwar, Maharashtra

This was approx the end point of the road, where you can see some vehicles. It seems there is no designated parking area. Inside the temple premise huge trees shadow the temple from all sides. The statues and carvings of Hindu Deities can be seen on the temple walls.  The Shiv Temple is location at the center of the premises. An idol of Karna is located near the entrance of the temple. We got amazed to see this olden-golden temple. The place is full of visitors during weekends and Mondays (Shiv worship day).

We were just roaming around this temple, when we met the priest got him to narrate a few stories related to the place. As per our discussion with priest, once upon a time, there were more than 300 temples in this taluka, and this temple was build by "The Pandavas". It was named after 'Karna' the sixth son of Kunti as per Mahabharat epic.

Nivali Waterfall: A Seasonal waterfall on Mumbai - Goa Coastal highway at Nivali and popular stopover for guests travelling on the highway during monsoon season. 

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