Waingani’s (Malvan) Shri Kanakdurga Bhavani Kulaswamini

I came across a very beautifully decorated idol of a Devi. The deity adorned with glittering jewellery and an attractive saree was fascinating. I was intrigued to know more about Waingani’s (Malvan) devi Shri Kanakdurga Bhavani Kulaswamini. And so, I interacted with Mr Prashant Prabhakar Narvekar, a devotee who sculpted the idol. Please keep reading to know more about the deity, her story, location, how to reach, visiting hours for darshan and many more exciting facts about Waingani’s (Malvan) Devi through the words of Prashant.

Prashant Narvekar was born and brought up in Mumbai. Despite having done Civil Engineering, he had an inclination towards the arts. After working for some time in the engineering field, he decided to explore his artistic persona. He took orders to make idols of Ganesha, Durga Devi, and other deities on specific occasions for years. He also took orders for decorations during Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri. Eventually, he got into spirituality under the guidance of his grandfather. And currently, he has dedicated his life to serving as a devotee.

During his journey of art and spirituality, he frequently saw a Devi in his dreams. In an unknown temple, they draped a saree to Devi, but he could never see her face. At that time, he was more into reading Padmapuran, Lalita Tripursundari, Skandpuran, etc., in which saints described how a goddess looked when she appeared to them, which used to be always on his mind. 

One year he missed doing homa on Durga-Ashtami during Navratri. He consulted the priest to know what to do in such a case. He suggested feeding small girls (Kumarika Bhojan) as an alternate option to homa cause food is considered as Aahuti (sacrifice) to the Jatharagni (digestive fire) of those Kumarikas. Back then, Prashant was on a career/work break and was undergoing financial issues. Arranging Kumarika Bhojan seemed difficult. Surprisingly, one lady approached him, asking him whether he takes art classes and that she wanted to join. She paid him fees and told him she would come after Navratri, somewhere around Diwali. With that money, he arranged food for Kumarikas. A day before Kumarika Bhojan, on Kojagiri Poornima, he prayed to Devi so that everything would go smoothly the next day. And that night, again, he saw the Devi in dreams; this time, he could see her face, which he could never forget.

He decided to make an idol of Devi. The same as he saw in his dreams, she looked as described in the scriptures he had been reading. He worked towards it, and it is the same idol of the goddess the family has been worshipping for more than eighteen years. While people often call her Devi, her name is Shri Rajrajeshwari Tripursundari Kanakdurga Bhavani. She is Kulaswamini, the mother of all gods and goddesses as per Hindu beliefs. In the scriptures, the deity is called Lalita, Laitambika, Kamakshi, Sarveshwari, Sri Mata, Kalavati, and Shodashi.

The idol has specific features which make her look fabulous and unique. She has a gentle smile (mand-smit) with the cheeks uplifted, wearing a long kajal, almost reaching her ears (aakarn-deergh-nayan) which makes her eyes look like deer’s eyes filled with love and warmth. Her lips are pink like the petals of the lotus flower, which have a slight orange shade of Kesar (saffron). She has long hair, and her Kanti (Halo) is like a lotus or mogra flower. The crescent moon on her crown glows like a Chandramandala or full moon. Her kumkum tika is like a dark spot on the moon, but that enhances her beauty. Her nose is long and straight like the bud of the Champa flower, and her palms and feet have shades of pink. She looks adorable with multiple necklaces from the neck to the waist, Baju Bandh (armlet), Kamar Patta (waist belt), and Painjan (anklets). The idol is only one of its kind, handmade with clay and painted by Prashant. He says, “I sometimes wonder that I have made this idol. But Devi’s face I saw in my dreams, her descriptions from the Puranas were engraved in my mind and thoughts. I went on sculpting the idol to match them”. After completing the clay work, he made moulds to create similar idols, but those idols did not look like her even after trying his best to make them look similar.

Initially, the deity was at Narvekar’s house in Borivli, Mumbai, for many years. Since the site was about to undergo a developmental project, the family decided to move her to their ancestral house in Devulwadi, Waingani. The house was not in good condition, but with the grace of the deity, things worked miraculously in a year, and they could rebuild the ancestral home where she has been residing today for the last four years. 

An artist and a devotee, Prashant looks after adorning her with different attires, ornaments and decorations. The idol is enormous; her crown, necklace, noserings, etc., are custom-made to fit her well. Neighbouring people from the village are generous and help Prashant arrange other things for Devi.

The place Waingani is between Malvan and Achara. You can take public transport to Malvan Bus Stand and, from there, local transportation to reach the destination, the house of Prashant Prabhakar Narvekar, also known as Raja Dada in Devulwadi, Waingani, Zilla – Sindhudurg, Taluka – Malvan., which takes another 25 to 30 Mins. One can also go to Achara or Kanakvali Bus stand and then take local transportation to get to the place. If you travel by private car, you can follow other routes on Google maps to reach the place.

The routine starts at 6:00 AM. Prashant performs pooja and offers Naivedya (food). Outside visitors are allowed to visit the house for Devi darshan at any time. Hotels and restaurants are available in the village for travellers from far-off places.

Lalita Panchami is the most important day in the calendar of Shri Rajrajeshwari Tripursundari Kanakdurga Bhavani. Falling on the fifth day of Sharadiya Navratri, this special day is marked with love, devotion, and enthusiasm as the goddess is honoured and revered. But it’s not just Lalita Panchami that is important – every Tuesday, Friday, Poornima, and both Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratris are also significant days in the calendar of this revered deity. 

Location Link: Shri Kanakdurga Kulaswamini Mandir

Address: Shri Kanakdurga Bhavani Kulaswamini Mandir, Narvekars House, Devulwadi, Near Ravalnath Mandir, Waingani, Mukkam Post – Malvan, Taluka – Sindhudurg. Landmark – Aaka’s Homestay

Experience the beauty and splendour of the most incredible goddess idol you would ever lay eyes on. From the intricate details of her features to the stunning colour work and decorations, this idol is a true masterpiece. We marvel at the artistic excellence of this incredible creation, and please note that this article does not intend religious promotion.

Note: Waingani AKA Vaingani, Vayangani, Wayngani on Google.