The village of Awas is a real hidden gem on the western coast of Alibaug. Awas means the adobe of God. The name of the village itself reflects the presence of the deities. Beside Nageshwar Temple, There are ancient temples of Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Panba devi in Awas.
Approximately 500 years ago, a sage named Nagoba, embarked on pilgrimage from Southern India. He visited the temples of Shri Rameshwar, Shri Gokarn Mahableshwar, Shri Parshuram, Shri Harihareshwar. While pursuing his journey towards the west, he visited the Lord Ganesha temple in Awas. He took a halt in Awas to visit the Kanakeshwar temple. However, with the divine grace of Lord Ganesha, he had many followers in Awas. He became so engrossed with them that he was not able to visit the Kanakeshwar temple. Sage Nagoba lived in Awas with his disciples, Changoba and Budhoba.
The sage had a high quality of medical knowledge. He used to worship ‘Sheshnarayan’ and had acquired such a spiritual level to feel the presence of the Lord. The beach of Awas is lined with Kevda (Pandanus) plants. Large number of venomous animals were present in the nearby area. However, the Sage and his disciples were never harmed by them. During the stay of Sage Nagoba, many beneficial changes occurred in Awas. For eg, there was above average rainfall which proved advantageous for the crops giving a high yield. The natives were free from many diseases and not afraid anymore of the poisonous animals. Sage Nagoba stayed in Awas for a long time.
He took ‘Sanjeevan Samadhi’ in Awas. As proclaimed before his Samadhi, there were 3 imprints in the shape of snake on the wooden log. As per the sage, the devotees who worship these will get rid of poverty and their sorrows. Also, Sage Nagoba told the devotees to carry replica of a snake, chanting ‘Narayan’ to Kanakeshwar temple, every year on the date of his Samadhi. This date of his Samadhi is commemorated every year as a part of the ‘Nagoba Yatra’. Hence, on the second day of the Yatra, the palanquin of Sage Nagoba is carried to Kanakeshwar temple. The devotees believe that if a person bitten by snake is brought to this temple, he will be free from the snake’s venom .
On Kartik Shukla Chaturdashi(14 th lunar day of the waxing moon fortnight in the month of Kartik), fair is organised in Awas near Nageshwar Temple. After Navratri, it is the first yatra in Alibaug and nearby areas. It is believed that Shri Nagoba fulfils each and every wish of the devotees. Many of them, tie bells in the temple, chanting the name of Lord Nagoba, loudly.
The Nageshwar Temple reflects the old architecture style and has a slanting roof with clay tiles. There is a large open space with two big trees in front of the temple along with the Deepmala or Deep Jyoti Stambh (an unique piece of Hindu architectural structure, usually found in temples, to be illuminated with diyas on special occasions). The beach is nearby to the temple. Lord Hanuman’s ancient temple is in the vicinity of Nagoba temple. The historical Panbadevi temple is approximately 1 or 2 kms in distance after taking a left turn from the road near the Nagoba temple.
Its worth visiting this ancient temple of Awas with a legend behind it.
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