The short answer
Mohiniraj Temple, Nevasa: what visitors should know first
A good second stop if you are already in Nevasa for the Dnyaneshwar shrine. Worth about an hour, with the biggest crowds on Magha Purnima in January or February. Confirm opening hours locally.
History and context
The story behind Mohiniraj Temple, Nevasa
Published accounts say the present structure was completed in 1773, funded by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud. It stands about 75 feet tall and houses an image of Mohiniraj, a form of Vishnu. The main annual festival falls on Magha Purnima.
Earlier building phases are not well documented in the published sources.
Useful facts
Mohiniraj Temple, Nevasa facts at a glance
- Location
- Nevasa town, Ahilyanagar district
- Faith
- Hindu
- Deity/dedication
- Mohiniraj (Mohini form of Vishnu)
- Visitor note
- Largest crowds at the Magha Purnima festival
- Built
- Present structure completed 1773; about 75 ft tall
Why it matters
Why Mohiniraj Temple, Nevasa is worth your time
Temples dedicated specifically to Mohini are uncommon, which gives this one a distinct character among Maharashtra's Vishnu shrines. The building was rebuilt in 1773 at considerable cost with funds from Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud, so it is also a record of 18th-century patronage in the region.
For a visitor basing themselves at Shingnapur, it offers an architecturally and devotionally different alternative to the open-air Shani shrine: a tall, enclosed temple with a clear festival calendar, in a town small enough to see in an hour or two. It also helps balance the trip, since Shani worship is intense and crowded while this visit is slow and quiet.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The 75-foot structure
The temple's height makes it a landmark in Nevasa.
- 02
Mohiniraj image
The deity is Vishnu in his Mohini form, which is unusual among Vishnu temples.
- 03
Magha Purnima festival
The annual festival draws devotees from the region.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Visit in the morning, when the temple is quiet and the light is good on the spire. The structure is tall, about 75 feet according to published accounts, and the image inside is Mohiniraj, Vishnu in his Mohini form.
Move slowly, look at the stonework and ask a priest to explain the story. According to the usual account Vishnu took the Mohini form to distract the demons during the churning of the ocean, and the festival in Magha celebrates that story.
Combine the visit with the Dnyaneshwar shrine in the same town and, if time allows, ask locally about the riverside, where the Pravara flows nearby. The town is small enough to cover on foot or by short rickshaw rides.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Visit on a weekday morning
- Confirm opening hours locally
- Avoid Magha Purnima unless you want the festival crowd
- Pair with the Dnyaneshwar shrine in the same town
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Nevasa town, Nevasa taluka
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Best time
- Weekday mornings; the Magha Purnima festival is very crowded
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Level temple precincts, but check steps at the entrance and inside before taking someone with mobility issues. Festival days are crowded and not suitable for frail travellers.
- Tickets and access
- No fee is known. Dress modestly, leave footwear outside and follow temple staff instructions on photography.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Mohiniraj Temple, Nevasa
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Level temple precincts, but check steps at the entrance and inside before taking someone with mobility issues. Festival days are crowded and not suitable for frail travellers.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who is Mohiniraj?
Mohiniraj is Vishnu in his Mohini avatar, the form he took during the churning of the ocean.
When is the main festival?
On Magha Purnima, usually in January or February.
When was the temple built?
The present structure was completed in 1773 according to published accounts.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
