Jyotiba Temple, Kolhapur

Shri Jyotiba or Kedareshvar is incarnation of Bramha, Vishnu, Mahesh and part of sage Jamadgni’s anger; and shine of 12 sun. 

It is another story that Adishakti created another set of Tridev i.e. Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh which was 100 times more powerful than original Tridev to down their ego; when her motive become successful she ordered her newly created trideva to come again when she will call for her help. 

When Kolhasura & his army was ruling at karvir kshetra with full of unjust mehods Mahalaxmi decided to go back karvir at this time she called the trideva & they appeared in hands of Mata Vimalambuja, in the form flame.

After knowing Mata’s wish that flame took form of eight years child bearing khadag (Sward), Damaru (Drum) Trishul (Trident) and Amrut Patra (Pot filled with nectar).

History of Temple : There was a small temple in the place of today’s Jyotiba’s big temple. The original temple is built by the devotee named Naavji from village kival near Karad. In 1730, Maharaja Ranoji Shinde of Gwalior renovated the original place in a grand place. This temple is simple and has been constructed with fine black basalt stone.

The other (second) Kedareshvar temple is particularly standing without pillars. This temple is build about 155 years ago means in 1808 by Doulatrao Shinde. There is Chopdai Temple present in between Kedarling and Kedareshvar temple which is built by Pritirao Chavan, Himmatbahadur in 1750. So particularly this is a group of three temples.

The 4th Temple of Goddess Rameshwari has built in 1780 by Malji Nikam, Panhalakar. In front of Kedareshvar, on a small square platform, there are two nandi’s in black stone. This is also installed by Daulatrao Shinde. On the east side of temple there is a Goddess Satvai facing towards east. On west side of temple Shree Ramling is situated facing towards east. At five to six places of temple wall, the veergal stones are fixed.

"Shri Kedarnath has established twelve Jyotirlingas around Jyotiba Mountain, so he is also called as Jyotirling. In order to establish the twelve Jyotirlingas, they first established Badrikedar ling in the remembrance of their original place in Himalaya so it is called as Kedarling too.