Chaul –
A witness to history and a prominent place in the Anglian Ashtagara. Famous port for large international trade. Around 300 to 350 temples existed in Chaul. Now only a few temples are to be seen, one of the important ones being Shri Rameshwar. This temple can be seen on the left while going to Revdanda from Chaul.
About Temple
Shri Rameshwar temple is the ancient temple here and the village deity of Chaul! This old style temple is surrounded by coconut palm trees. In front of the temple there is a Nandi Mandapam and a big Pushkarini (Stepped well) . This Pushkarini fills completely during monsoon. Shiv Shankar Pindi in the core is a little deep and a little high on all sides. It is believed that when there is any crisis in the village, this Pindi is kept filled with water around it. There is no idol of Goddess Parvati near ShivPindi, hence women are not allowed inside.
Historical Cisterns-
The temple has an old idol of Lord Ganesha on one side. There are three cisterns under the floor in the assembly hall of this temple. Parjanyakund, Vayukunda and Agnikund. There is a tradition to open ‘Parjanyakund’ when there is a drought, ‘Vayukund’ when there is a storm, and when it is very cold, ‘Agni Kund’ is opened.
There are records of the opening of “Parjanyakund” in history. 1653, 1631, 1790, 1857, 1876, 1899, and finally opened on Sunday Shravan Shuddha Shaka 1863, 27 July 1941.Adjacent to the temple is a beautifully carved wooden auditorium. Vitthal Rukmini temple is located next to the assembly hall and there are two old idols of Lord Ganesha in this temple.
Outside the temple there are two big beautiful Deepmalas. Around the temple, many ancient structures and monuments can be found. On one side of the temple there are nine small stone blocks in a row. At the back of the temple there are five stone pillars. Here there is a large stone foundation with a partially collapsed hexagonal structure on one side.
In the evening on the day of Tripurari Purnima, the promises gets lightened by very beautiful lights. The beauty of the temple is very amazing at this time. This historical Sri Kshetra Rameshwar temple is a must see at least once when you visit Alibag.
Nearby Attractions –
How to reach –
- Distance from Alibag – 18 km.
- Mumbai to Murud – 150 km.
- Pune to Murud – 150 km.
- Local transport is available
