Pandeshwar Village

The village Pandeshwara has a long and rich cultural history, all centred around an ancient Shankaranarayana temple. The story of the temple and how Pandeshwara got its name is told in the Skanda purana (Sahyadri kanda), a part of the vast collection of Indian mythology. The events are dated approximately to third – fifth century CE. The story tells that the Pandavas, the heroes of the great epic Mahabharata, came to this place during their Vanavasa period; the 14 years they had to live in the forest. Their wife Draupadi was thirsty, but there was no water to be found. Finally Bhima, the second of the five Pandava brothers, hit his mace on the earth, causing water to come out. On this place they established a beautiful Shankaranarayana statue and worshipped God Shankaranarayana (the combination of Shiva and Vishnu). After this, the village is called Pandeshwara.

Still we have this beautiful pond in Pandeshwara. The Shankaranarayana statue you find in the temple, built on the same place where the Pandava brothers established the Shankaranarayana statue, near to the pond. The temple has recently been rebuilt, continuing the long tradition of worship on this place. Vijaya is the main priest of the temple and is every day performing pooja; the worship and offering to God Shankaranarayana.