The short answer
Parshuram Temple (Shree Kshetra Parshuram): what visitors should know first
Yes, if you are in Chiplun at all. It is the area's main devotional site, close to the highway, and works as a calm one- to two-hour stop. Go in the morning, dress modestly, and check the current darshan routine locally before you set out.
History and context
The story behind Parshuram Temple (Shree Kshetra Parshuram)
Wikipedia's account says the temple's construction was initiated by Swami Paramhans Brahmendra, with financial help in 1700 from Siddi Rasul Yakut Khan, who also assigned villages to cover daily expenses. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj later gave five nearby villages and had three temples, a lamp tower and a pilgrim lodge built, and Kanhoji Angre also granted villages.
The same account says the temples were demolished in 1726 after a dispute over an elephant and were later rebuilt by the Swami. These details come from a lightly sourced article, so treat dates as approximate.
Useful facts
Parshuram Temple (Shree Kshetra Parshuram) facts at a glance
- Location
- Parshuram village, Chiplun taluka, Ratnagiri district
- Faith
- Hindu (Vaishnava)
- Deity/dedication
- Parashurama, sixth avatar of Vishnu
- Visitor note
- Modest dress; footwear off; festival days are crowded
- Built
- Around 1700, per Wikipedia; later patronage and rebuilding
- Run by
- Shree Dev Bhargavram Devasthan Trust (per Wikipedia)
Why it matters
Why Parshuram Temple (Shree Kshetra Parshuram) is worth your time
Parashurama is one of the ten avatars of Vishnu, and a Konkan tradition holds that he reclaimed this coastal strip from the sea and then made his home on Mahendragiri, the peak at Parshuram. That belief gives the temple a regional importance that goes beyond its size: for many Konkan families, this is the land's own origin story made physical.
It is also a useful place to understand Konkan history. The temple was funded by a mix of rulers across communities and eras, and it was rebuilt after a dispute-driven demolition. Seen that way it is not only a shrine but a record of how Konkan power, patronage and faith overlapped.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The lamp tower and shrines
The deepmal and the clustered temples around the main sanctum show the layers of patronage added over the years.
- 02
Valley views
The ridge setting gives a long view over the Vashishti valley toward the Sahyadri hills.
- 03
The Banganga legend
Locals tell of a tank made by Parashurama's arrows; ask about it and what can be visited today.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Plan Parshuram as a morning visit. The temple stands on a ridge in Parshuram village, reached from the Mumbai–Goa highway by a short side road, so a car from Chiplun is the simplest way in. Leave your footwear at the entrance, walk through the courtyard at your own pace and notice the lamp tower (deepmal) and the small shrines grouped around the main sanctum, where Parashurama is the central image.
Sit for a few minutes if the priests are performing the routine puja; it is the part of the visit that tells you most about how the temple is used. Local lore links the site to a tank called Banganga, said to have been made by Parashurama's arrows. Ask a local about it rather than assuming where to find it, since access arrangements can change.
Combine the temple with the valley views from the ridge, and with Gowalkot or the Vashishti river if you want a full day. Festival days such as Akshaya Tritiya, Ram Navami and Mahashivratri bring large crowds; for a quiet, reflective visit pick an ordinary weekday morning outside those dates.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds
- Carry a small bag; leave valuables in the car
- Ask locally about timings and meal arrangements
- Wear footwear that is easy to slip off
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Parshuram village, about 11 km from Chiplun on the Mumbai side
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Morning, or the Akshaya Tritiya and Ram Navami festival days if you want crowds and ritual
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The temple sits on a rise, so expect a short climb and some steps; the courtyard is largely level once inside. Carry water, wear footwear that slips off easily, and avoid the festival days if crowds are a worry.
- Tickets and access
- Temple entry is a devotional visit, not a ticketed attraction as far as sources show. Dress modestly, remove footwear at the entrance, and ask before photographing the sanctum or priests. Confirm daily timings and any meal arrangements locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Parshuram Temple (Shree Kshetra Parshuram)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The temple sits on a rise, so expect a short climb and some steps; the courtyard is largely level once inside. Carry water, wear footwear that slips off easily, and avoid the festival days if crowds are a worry.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Parshuram Temple from Chiplun?
Wikipedia gives about 11 km from Chiplun toward Mumbai, with the Chiplun railway station roughly 7 km away. Confirm by map before setting out.
Is the temple suitable for older visitors?
Usually, with a car to the door and a slow pace. There is a short climb and steps in places, so rest where you need to.
Which festivals are busiest?
Akshaya Tritiya, Ram Navami and Mahashivratri are listed as major occasions and draw crowds.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.