:: Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan ::

Aravali, taluka Vengurle, district Sindhudurg, Maharashtra

Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan of Aravali is one of the most famous 'jagrut' (Lord who fulfills the wishes of devotees) temples in Vengurle taluka of Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, India.

Shri Dev Vetoba is the God of Aravali village in Konkan. Natives of this picturesque, tranquil village straddling the Arabian Sea worship Shri Dev Vetoba as their protector. They believe He brings prosperity to the village. Devotees worship Him as a loving and compassionate God who answers their prayers, fulfills their wishes and comes to their aid in times of crisis and difficulties. Natives and devotees lovingly call their God, simply – Vetoba.

Thanks to Vetoba’s blessings, Aravali has today blossomed into a significant pilgrimage centre in Konkan. Devotees in thousands pour into the village from far and wide to seek Vetoba’s darshan and blessings during His 2 big annual festivals: on Margshirshya shuddha pratipada (Devdipavali) and His investiture-day festival on Vaishakh shuddha panchami.

The festivals are celebrated with great devotion, enthusiasm and fanfare. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights. Dazzling fireworks light up the sky.

Designed & Developed by : Kruti Infomedia, Pune (India)

| | Om Namah Paraay Shivatmane Vetalaya Namah | |

About Vetoba

Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan is Aravali’s main temple and its chief tourist attraction. It is situated on the main Shiroda-Vengurle thoroughfare.
Vetoba’s magnificent idol is fashioned out of ‘panchdhatu’ (5 metals). It is bigger than life-size, 9 feet 2 inches tall, and faces north. Vetoba is standing, in all his glory and power, with a sword in his right hand and an agnipatra (small utensil) in his left.

In the temple's sanctum sanctorum, Vetoba's idol is flanked by idols of Shri Dev Bhummaiyya, Shri Dev Purwas, Shri Dev Rampurush, Shri Dev Baracha Purwas (Nirakari) and Shri Dev Bhavkai.

It is a tradition to seek Vetoba’s consent and blessing before undertaking any new work in the temple, or when impediments come in its routine work. Devotees and village people seek His blessings during times of difficulties or before undertaking any new work.

Vetoba’s ‘Kaul’

In Konkan, there is a tradition of asking for Vetoba’s ‘prasad’, a worship ritual popularly known as ‘kaul’. In essence, ‘kaul’ is designed to seek specific answers from Vetoba for varied personal problems. So, in a ‘kaul’ 33 leaves of ‘salai’ tree are stuck to various specified parts of Vetoba’s idol, each one imbued with certain meaning. And village mavens interpret the answer from the leaves that Vetoba drops down. And then they guide the answer-seekers accordingly. From the time Vetoba’s temple was first established in early part of 17th century, this age-old tradition has continued till date. Vetoba is known to give exact answers that come unfailingly true.

Vetoba is offered bananas or banana bunch (ghad), sweets such as sugar, pedhe, laddus, a pair of dhoti, uparana as naivedya. There is also a tradition of offering Him a pair of new chappals made from special leather which is available only in Aravali. Natives believe that Vetoba acts as the caretaker and protector (rakshankarta) of their beautiful village, perambulating its paths in the night wearing the chappals.

King of Ghosts

Vetoba's temple at Aravali is basically the temple of Vetal, the King of ghosts, pishacchas, poltergeists, daemons, apparitions and other evil entities. The word ‘Vetal’ itself is imbued with profound meaning. If the word’s first alphabet is omitted, the remaining two, ‘Taal’ in Marathi mean balance, buddhi or wisdom. If the second one is omitted, the remaining two, 'Vel' mean 'time'. And if the third one is omitted, the remaining two, 'Vet' mean to bring forth.

Human beings are prone to doing negative, evil things or bad karma. This usually happens when they fall prey to negative, selfish thinking. In other words, when their buddhi or wisdom leaves them. Thus, the power that brings forth or restores buddhi or wisdom in time is Vetal. Vetal is the God who reins in evil, negative thinking or tendencies in human beings and steers them on the righteous path.

In Indian culture, there is a tradition to affix the suffix 'ba' to proper names. 'Ba' denotes respect and reverence. In Japan, too, there is a similar tradition. In Gujarat, the mother is called 'ba.' So, in Vetal's name the replacing of the last alphabet by ‘ba’ is indicative of respect and reverence for the Deity.

In North India, too, there are many temples of Vetal, but there is a vast difference in the perception of the Deity there and in Konkan. In North India, there is a tradition of offering Vetal things like marijuana, weeds etc as naivedya, which is totally perverse.

Manifestation of Shiva

Whereas in Konkan Vetoba is offered pure, satvik (pure) naivedya like sugar, bananas pedhe, laddus etc. Moreover, Konkan's Vetoba doesn't like or approve of killing of animals as part of religious rituals.

Konkan's Vetoba is a God that observes the purity and rigours of Brahma worship. He is the manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is a King. He is the King of ghosts, who controls evil entities like daemons, apparitions, pishacchas etc. Ghosts make up his army, but he is not a ghost himself. He is their King.

This is well collaborated by many sources, including Srimad Bhagwad and Matsyapurana. The 5th adhyaya of Navnath Bhaktisaar Granth describes how Macchindranath harassed the ghost kingdom and challenged its king, Vetal, to a fight, and how, for the fight, Vetal organised his army of ghosts, summoning them from different regions like Afghanistan, Bengal, Rajasthan and other areas.

In the temples of Maharashtra, devotees meditate on Vetoba with the mantra: || Om Namah Paraay Shivatmane Vetalay Namah ||

Yogiraj Bapumama Keni

Any record of Aravali’s Shri Dev Vetoba is incomplete without reference to Yogiraj Bapumama Keni.

In 1730, Bapumama Keni, a spiritually advanced saint, arrived in Shiroda, and stayed at Harbanna Kamat’s house for 40 years. He used to worship Vetoba as Vitthal, the avatar of Lord Krishna. One day when he was standing in front of Vetoba with folded hands, a small bright flame emerged from the Deity’s heart, moved through the air and stood still in front of Bapumama Keni’s heart. It was as if Vetoba was signifying that He and Bapumama Keni were one. This is a true incident that has been widely reported.

Through his pravachanaas (lectures), Bapumama Keni sang the glories of Vetoba and preached about His power and compassion to the public, turning hundreds of people into Vetoba’s devotees. Because of his long stay in the region, Aravali soon blossomed into a holy pilgrimage place, where devotees thronged – and still do - for Vetoba’s darshan and blessings.

So spiritually close was Yogiraj Bapumama Keni to Vetoba that his anniversary programme called ‘Bapumamacha Padwa” is celebrated every year. It takes place on Jeshtha shuddha pratipada at the residence of Gajanan Pandurang Kamat at Shiroda. In honour of the occasion, it is the tradition to send from Aravali’s Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan members of Joshi, Haridas, Puranik families, together with vajantri (troupe with instruments) and the temple gurav to Kamat’s residence at Shiroda.

Designed & Developed by : Kruti Infomedia, Pune (India)

| | Om Namah Paraay Shivatmane Vetalaya Namah | |

Experiences (Anubhuti)

Shri Dev Vetoba of Aravali is a loving, compassionate God. He answers His devotees’ prayers and comes to their aid in times of crisis and difficulties. Scores of devotees have attested to this fact. Here are some instances testifying to Vetoba’s munificence and His concern for His devotees:

| | Om Namah Paraay Shivatmane Vetalay Namah | |

It is not my intention here to analyse the impact of the proper recitation of this sacred, powerful mantra on one’s body, mind and speech, but only to narrate its positive effect on everyday affairs. I am a doctor by profession and feel that patients should take their medicines with faith. I firmly believe that a doctor is but an instrument and the real healer is the Parameshwar who cures patients though medicines.

Some years back, a woman who had no issue came to my hospital for treatment. Till then, she had consulted all the leading gynecologists in Maharashtra. There was nothing medically wrong either with her or her husband. On giving the matter serious thought, I made a vow (nawas) to Vetoba that, if the pair got an issue within the next 2 years, I would personally come to Aravali and offer Him a ‘tulabhar’ of sugar (equivalent to the weight of the devotee). And, within the year itself, the pair was blessed with a healthy child. What I want to specifically emphasise here is that such miracles happen even in today’s advanced scientific age.

Dr Prasad D. Prabhusalgaonkar

We lived Sakhelkaul. From childhood I used to get fits, every 10 to 15 days. The severity of fits increased even when I became 10 years old. All medical remedies had been tried. Even the doctor at Vengurle examined me. Finally, he suggested that I should be taken to Mumbai for brain scan. But taking me to Mumbai for medical treatment was financially out of reach for my family. My grandmother had unwavering faith in Vetoba. So, my grandfather, uncle and father went to Shri Dev Vetoba and asked for His prasad (kaul). And, surprisingly, they got the answer: “There is no need to take this boy anywhere. Apply my vibhuti (holy ash) to his forehead and rub it over his body. His fits will stop in 4 days.” And, miracle of miracles, I stopped getting fits forever.

Ramchandra Krishna Dipaji, Mumbai

From childhood I had this unshakable faith that the revered Vetoba is my protector. And from time to time I have experienced evidence of this. Once my husband was bitten by a venomous snake. My children were small and there was no elderly, responsible person in the house. I panicked, and was shivering with worry and anxiety. Still, in that critical condition, I began praying fervently to Vetoba, beseeching his help. And within minutes, surprisingly, my husband’s brother, who seldom visited us, was standing in the doorway. He said he had come for some work. He immediately shifted my husband to the hospital and, being a doctor himself, quickly managed to organise and administer anti-venom serum to my husband. His condition soon began improving. My revered Vetoba had once again proved that he indeed is the protector of his devotees. May his grace be bestowed on everyone. This is my sincere prayer.

Mrs Shubhangi Ramesh Shetye

My in-laws are from Aravali. I got married in December 1982 and, immediately after, together with my husband and in-laws we started for home. We were taking a flight to Goa. We came to Mumbai airport and even boarded the flight. For me everything was new and, in that excitement, I had totally forgotten about our bags. It was only after we landed at Goa airport that we realised our bags had been left behind at Mumbai airport. And in one bag were the gold ornaments and other precious valuables.

I was totally shattered. I was the new bride and I knew the blame would undoubtedly fall on me. I began silently praying to God. Since my husband and in-laws were cultured people they didn’t blame me. But in my mind I was blaming myself. Finally, my father-in-law went to Vetoba’s temple and asked for His prasad (kaul) in finding the bags. And he got the answer that the bags would be found and returned to us.

Meanwhile, we had phoned everyone, enquired with everybody concerned, but till the end of our Aravali stay, the bags were not found. We returned from Goa, and the very next day received a call from a gentleman. He told us to come to the airport to see if some bags belonged to us. We immediately rushed there and, seeing our bags, were so relieved it could not be described. The bags bore various tags, indicating they had been sent to Delhi, Kochin, Madras and other places.

I felt then and, even today feel, that the blame for the lost bags that would have stuck to me for life, was averted only because of Vetoba’s grace. That His grace may fall on us always is my fervent prayer at His holy feet.

Mrs Suvidha Vilas Salgaonkar

In 1950, when I was studying in Karwar, I was coming home to Aravali for Diwali. I had Rs 10 in my pocket, out of which I spent Rs 7 on bus fare from Karwar to Belgaum and Rs 3 from Belgaum to Sawantwadi. The bus fare from Sawantwadi to Shiroda was Rs 1. Just when I was worrying about how I was going reach Shiroda, I found a Rs 1 note next to me on the seat. I looked upon it as Vetoba’s blessing and thanked Him.

In 1966/67, my brother made a vow (navas) to Vetoba on behalf of his friend Dalvi and his wife who had tried several remedies for an issue but had failed. After the navas, the very next year they got a son. The navas, however, remained unfulfilled till the boy became an adult. Then Mrs Dalvi had a frightening dream on 3 successive nights, in which she saw a huge, dark, ugly figure, eyes red with anger. Concerned, she narrated the dream to her husband who began thinking about it. Suddenly, he remembered they had forgotten to fulfill their navas. Husband and wife immediately rushed to Aravali and, beseeching Vetoba’s forgiveness, fulfilled their vow.

Sakhram B. Mesri

Designed & Developed by : Kruti Infomedia, Pune (India)

| | Om Namah Paraay Shivatmane Vetalaya Namah | |

Festivals

Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan: Annual Festivals & Programmes

Month	Tithi	Festival
Chaitra(March)	Shuddha Pratipada	Reading of Panchang and aarti. Then, ghatsthapna of Shri Ram Jayanti festival. Also, reading of Panchang and aarti in Shri Devi Sateri temple.
	Shuddha Navami	Shri Ram Jayanti festival – Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin (palkhi) visits Shri Devi Sateri temple in the afternoon and returns.
	Purnima	Start of ‘Jagar’ (all night programme of aarti, bhajan, prayer, japa etc) at Shri Dev Vetoba temple.
	Vadya Trayodashi	Shri Rameshwar installation day

Vaishakh (April)	Shuddha Pratipada	Sawantwadi sarkari ‘Jagar’ at the temple. Also palanquin of Shri Dev Vetoba.
	Shuddha Dvitiya	Parabhu’s aarti ‘Jagar’
	Shuddha Tritiya	‘Jagar’ of Marathe Dalvi family (also palanquin)
	Shuddha Chaturthi	‘Jagar’ of Parashuram Joshi (also palanquin)
	Shuddha Panchami	Shri Dev Vetoba’s investiture-day festival. The 3-day big festival’s highlights are: mahaprasad, palanquin in the evening followed by dramas, musical functions organised by local people.
	Shuddha Shashti	‘Jagar’ of Purushottam Hari Joshi family (also palanquin)
	Shuddha Saptami	Aarti ‘Jagar’ of Dhuri (Marathe) family
	Shuddha Aashtami	‘Jagar’ of Baburao Dalvi (Saraswat) family (also palanquin)
	Shuddha Navami	‘Jagar’ of Vasudev Shankar Rege (Saraswat) family (also palanquin)
	Shuddha Dashami	‘Jagar’ of Rajaram Vitthal Kothari (Saraswat) family (also palanquin)
	Shuddha Trayodashi	Shri Devi Mhalsai installation day
	Vadya Panchami	Shri Ravalnath installation day

Jeshtha (May)	Shuddha Pratipada	‘Bapumamacha Padwa” – The anniversary programme of Saint Yogiraj Bapumama Keni (Saraswat) is held at the residence of Gajanan Pandurang Kamat at Shiroda. To celebrate the occasion, it is the tradition to send from Shri Dev Vetoba Devasthan, Aravali, members of Joshi, Haridas, Puranik families, together with vajantri (troupe with instruments) and a gurav to Kamat’s residence at Shiroda. Members from Dalvi, Rege, Kothari, Nadkarni families attend the programme.

Aashadh (June)	Shuddha Panchami	Start of Maharudra at Shri Dev Vetoba temple. Maharudra is completed in 11 days and is concluded on the 12th day, with people participating in ‘Samaradhna’ (prasad).
	Shuddha Aashtami	Start of a week-long programme of bhajans at Shri Dev Vetoba temple.
	Shuddha Ekadashi	Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin is taken to the home of Parashuram Govind Joshi in the afternoon. Taking the idol of Vithoba from there, the palanquin then visits Shri Devi Sateri temple and returns to Shri Dev Vetoba, makes a round of the temple, and enters inside. In the evening, the palanquin makes a round of the temple.
	Shuddha Chaturdashi	The ‘dindi’ – gathering of devotees – from the week-long bhajan programme, moves from Shri Devi Sateri temple and comes to Shri Dev Vetoba temple in the evening.
	Purnima	-Bhajan week is concluded with a ‘kala’ – prasad. At this time, Shri Dev’s palanquin goes to Shri Devi Sateri temple and returns. Devotees present on the occasion are distributed ‘panchakhadya’ – prasad of 5 different varieties.
	Vadya Pratipada	To mark the conclusion of Maharudra, devotees participate in ‘Samaradhna’ (prasad).

Shravan (July)	Purnima	During this month, finding an auspicious day, a ‘Navanna Grahan’ ritual is held at Shri Dev Vetoba temple. On this day, as per the temple’s tradition, season’s new grain or rice is ritualistically cut and brought to the temple. Then, to bless the harvest, puja is performed on the rice at both Shri Dev Vetoba and Shri Devi Sateri temples.

Bhadrapad (August)	Shuddha Chaturthi	During Ganesh chaturthi festival, on the 2nd, 5th and 11th day, Aravali natives bring their Ganesh idols to Shri Dev Vetoba temple’s sabhamandap before submersion. There, on behalf of the temple, a short puja with incense and lights is performed on the idols, and then they are taken for submersion.

Aashwin (September)	Shuddha Pratipada	Ghatsthapna and start of Navaratri festival at Shri Devi Sateri temple.
	Shuddha Aashtami	‘Toran Jagar’ – Palanquin of Shri Dev Vetoba comes to Shri Devi Sateri. In the evening, a drama is organised by Aroklar Dashvatari group.
	Shuddha Navami	Various festivals and programmes such as Khande Navami, Shiva Lagna, Dussera are celebrated.
	Dashami & Ekadashi	Parabhu’s ‘pahuner’ to Shri Devi Sateri. And from next day, 7 other families’ ‘pahuner’ as follows: (1) Marathe Dalvi (2) Parashuram Joshi (3) Purushottam Hari Joshi (4) Dhuri (Marathe) (5) Baburao Dalvi (Saraswat) (6) Vasudev Shankar Rege (Saraswat) (Ravindra Rege does it) (7) Rajaram Vitthal Kothari (Saraswat). The head of each family performs the ‘pahuner.’
	Shuddha Purnima	Kojagiri Purnima – Aarti is performed. Additionally, from this day till amavasya, every night there is aarti ‘jagar’ at Shri Dev Vetoba temple. And for one month till Kartik shuddha purnima, Shri Dev Vetoba’s puja is performed early in the morning with ‘kakad’ aarti.
	Vadya Chaturdashi	Narak Chaturdashi (Dipavali) – In the afternoon Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin comes to Shri Devi Sateri, and for 3 days Dipavali festival is celebrated with enthusiasm.

Kartik (October)	From Shuddha Pratipada to Navami	Just as in Vaishakh month, several aarti and palanquin ‘jagars’ of different devotee families take place. Besides the above ‘jagar’, from Kartik shuddha pratipada to purnima, every night consecutively 5 aarti ‘jagars’ take place at Shri Rameshwar temple, 5 at Shri Devi Sateri temple and 5 at Shri Dev Siddheshwar temple.
	Ekadashi	Mahaekadashi festival – Just as on Aashadhi Ekadashi, Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin programme takes place.
	Shuddha Dwadashi	‘Tulsi Vivah’ is performed at Shri Dev Vetoba, Shri Devi Sateri, Shri Dev Siddheshwar and Shri Dev Rameshwar temples.
	Shuddha Purnima	Shri Dev Vetoba’s small jatra. All Devatas are offered navaidya and palanquins. A drama is staged by Arolkar Dashavatari group.

Margshirshya (November)	Shuddha Pratipada	Shri Dev Vetoba’s main big jatra. This festival’s highlight is ‘annashanti samaradhna,’ a tradition of food distribution (annadaan) started by Yogiraj Bapumama Keni. In the evening, Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin is taken out. There is a huge fireworks display. For this jatra, devotees in thousands come for darshan of Shri Dev Vetoba, and offer navaidya of bananas.
Margshirshya (November)	Shuddha Dvitiya	Shri Devi Sateri’s main big jatra. On this day, Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin comes to the temple and goes round it. The event is marked by fireworks display.

Paush (December)

Magh (January)	Shuddha 5 Vasant Panchami	Shri Devi Sateri’s jatra. On this day at 9.30 p.m., Shri Dev Vetoba’s palanquin comes to the temple and goes round it, and then Shri Dev’s idol is kept in the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Devi Sateri. Then Arolkar Dashavtari members perform a play.
	Shuddha 8	Jatra of Shri Dev Giroba (in Aravali’s Takwadi temple)
	Vadya Panchami	Shri Konkaneshwar installation day
	Vadya Chaturdashi	Mahashivratri festival at Shri Dev Vetoba temple. In the morning, Laghurudra is performed on Shri Dev Vetoba. In the evening, palanquin and lighting in the temple. In the evening, Laghurudra is performed on Shri Dev Siddheshwar, and in the night, there is aarti and lighting.

Phalgun (February)	Shuddha 10	Shri Devi Sateri’s investiture-day festival. On this day, hom (burnt-offerings) is performed in the temple, with aarti. In the evening, too, there is aarti. On Shri Devi’s main spot, a Brahmin performs Ek-ekadashmi puja and then partakes navaidya bhojan there. On this day, devotees make their vows about Shri Devi’s puja.
Phalgun (February)	Purnima	On this day, in Shri Dev Vetoba’s temple a holi is put up and the holi festival begins, which ends on amavasya day. During the festival, one day the ‘maand’ of Shiroda’s Shri Mauli Devi comes to the temple. And the next day, Aravali temple’s ‘maand’ goes to Shri Mauli’s Shiroda temple with honour and fanfare.

In addition to the above festivals and programmes, innumerable other functions and activities are continuously taking place at both Shri Dev Vetoba and Shri Devi Sateri temples. Among them: kirtans, lectures, speeches, plays, music programmes, health and educational workshops, and devotees’ religious activities like maharudra, navchandi, laghurudra, ekadashmi, abhishek, scriptures’ recitals, japa, satyanarayan puja and many others.

Designed & Developed by : Kruti Infomedia, Pune (India)