Mahabaleshwar Temple

Mahabaleshwar Temple in Old Mahabaleshwar, 6 km from the main town, is the ancient religious core of the hill station. Built in the Hemadpanthi style by Chanda Rao More in the 16th century, the temple enshrines the Mahalinga, a six-foot self-manifested Shiva Linga uniquely shaped like a Rudraksha bead and considered more sacred than the twelve Jyotirlingas by many devotees. The temple's sturdy basalt construction, pyramidal tower and interior carvings reflect medieval Maratha temple craft. It is the starting point of the Old Mahabaleshwar temple circuit.