Who is Saptashrungi Devi
High on the Saptashrunga hill near the village of Vani in Nashik district, Maharashtra, stands the self-manifested (swayambhu) form of Saptashrungi Devi, carved directly into the rock face of the hill. She is worshipped with eighteen arms, each holding a weapon or a symbol of protection, and devotees see in her the same shakti that is worshipped across India as Durga.
Along with the shrines at Tuljapur, Kolhapur and Mahur, Saptashrungi is counted by many devotees among the most sacred seats of the Mother Goddess in Maharashtra, together forming what devotees often call the state's "three and a half" shakti peethas.
History and the Katha
Tradition holds that this hill has long been a place where sages performed deep penance, and devotees believe the goddess chose to manifest here in living presence (saakshaat) after vanquishing a great demon that once threatened the region. Markandeya Rishi is remembered in local devotion as one of the sages who worshipped this very form of the Devi.
While the exact age of the shrine is lost to memory, devotees describe it as centuries old, its rock-cut sanctity handed down through generations of unbroken worship rather than through any single founding date.
Significance and What Devotees Pray For
Devotees come to Saptashrungi Devi with a wide range of prayers, trusting her as a Mother who listens:
- Protection and wellbeing of the family
- Blessings for marriage and childbirth
- Success in new beginnings and ventures
- Relief in times of illness or hardship
For many Maharashtrian and Gujarati families, she is worshipped as Kuldevi, the family's own guardian goddess, and a visit to her hill is considered an essential act of gratitude and surrender.
Darshan Guide: Timings and Festivals
The temple follows a daily rhythm of morning and evening aarti, with darshan open through most of the day for the steady stream of pilgrims who climb the hill throughout the year.
The largest gatherings take place during Chaitra Navratri and on Chaitra Purnima, when lakhs of devotees ascend the hill together, and again during Ashwin Navratri, when the temple is beautifully decorated for nine nights of devotion.
How to Reach Saptashrungi
Saptashrungi Devi Temple is located near Vani village, about a couple of hours' drive from Nashik city in Maharashtra.
- Nearest railway station: Nashik Road
- Nearest airport: Nashik (Ozar)
- By road: regular state transport buses connect Nashik and Kalwan to Vani, from where a motorable road and a flight of steps lead up to the temple.
Mantra to Chant and the Takeaway
Devotees often chant the simple invocation Om Saptashrungi Devyai Namah (I bow to Goddess Saptashrungi), along with the wider Durga mantras and the Devi Mahatmya during Navratri.
What draws millions up this hill each year is not any promise of instant reward, but a living tradition of faith passed from grandmother to grandchild. Worship here, as everywhere, is an act of faith and love, not a transaction.
Quick Answers
What is Saptashrungi Devi Temple famous for?+
It is famous for its swayambhu (self-manifested) eighteen-armed form of the Devi carved into the Saptashrunga hill near Nashik, and for being revered as Kuldevi by countless Maharashtrian and Gujarati families.
What is the best time to visit Saptashrungi Devi?+
Chaitra Navratri and Ashwin Navratri see the grandest celebrations, though devotees visit the temple throughout the year for darshan.
How do I reach Saptashrungi Devi Temple from Nashik?+
The temple is around two hours from Nashik city by road via Vani; the nearest railway station is Nashik Road and the nearest airport is Nashik (Ozar).
About the author
Pandit Mahesh Trivedi · Festival Traditions & Panchang
Pandit Mahesh leads the festival-date and Panchang content on Vandnaa. He cross-references multiple regional panchangs (Drik, Vaishnava, Bengali, Marathi) for every festival date published on the site.
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