Harihareshwar Temple / Kalbhairav Temple - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 500m from Harihareshwar Bus Stop, Harihareshwar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Harihareshwar town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the must include places in Harihareshwar tour packages.

Harihareshwar Temple is one of the most ancient and renowned temples in the Konkan region of Maharashtra and among the most famous places to visit in Harihareshwar. The temple complex comprises two adjacent temples. One of them is a small Kalbhairav temple that needs to be visited first and the other is the main Harihareshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva created Kalbhairava and blessed him with all mantras.

Built in the late medieval period, the main deity of Harihareshwr Temple was the ancestral deity of the Peshwas, the prime ministers of the great Maratha Empire. Pradakshina Marg or the circumambulatory path around the temple was built by Chandrarao More. Even in 1674, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has also visited the Harihareshwar temple. Later, the temple was even renovated completely in 1723 by Bajirao Peshwa I after having been almost destroyed in a fire.

Situated atop the Harihareshwar Hill, the architecture of the temple is unique and attractive. Inside the main sanctum of the temple, there are idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, and Brahma. The Yogeshwari Temple is also situated in proximity. A pradakshina path goes around the temple, along the seashore. It is not advisable to go on this route during high tide. The temple is thronged by the devotees of Lord Shiva especially during the celebrations of Mahashivratri. There is also a huge boulder divided into two segments just behind the temple. It is believed that Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, broke a huge boulder into two separate pieces since it stood in the way to the temple.

There is also a viewpoint situated near the temple that offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea, and Harihareshwar Beach.

Timings: 6 AM - 8 PM

Entry: Free