To visit Shri Mauli Devi, the village deity of Shiroda in Vengurla Taluka of Sindhudurg, one must first reach Vengurla. From there, regular ST bus service is available to Redi. The origin of Shri Mauli Devi's worship is found in the Shridevikosh. The elderly and knowledgeable residents of Shiroda recount a legend about their village deity, Shri Mauli Devi. According to them, a foreign merchant’s cargo ship once got caught in a storm a short distance from the Shiroda coastline. Inside that ship was an idol. The merchant prayed before the idol, saying, "If the storm calms and I survive this danger, I will establish your idol in the village I reach." Strangely enough, the storm soon calmed, and the merchant safely arrived at the shore near Shiroda. He promptly contacted the village headmen of Shiroda. Along with his companions, he brought the idol to the village temple area, and the idol of Shri Mauli Devi was consecrated by the local leaders. ... This consecration took place during the time of Shivaji Maharaj. Since that day, the eternal lamp (Nandadeep) of Shri Mauli Devi's devotion has been burning continuously with great reverence. There is a tale associated with the miraculous power of Shri Mauli Devi. In 1817, the Portuguese fired cannons at the temple from the hilltop. The villagers sought the goddess’s divine guidance. The next day, countless fireflies emerged and swarmed aggressively toward the Portuguese army. Frightened, the Portuguese fled and never returned. This awakened temple of Shri Devi Mauli, located near the Ganapati temple, is certainly worth a visit. A unique aspect of this temple is that devotional singing (bhajan) takes place here every single day throughout the year without fail. It is believed to be the only temple in Sindhudurg where this occurs uninterrupted. Shri Devi Mauli’s temple faces east. On the left side of the temple is the shrine of Shri Dev Purmar. On the right side is the temple of Shri Dev Ghadavas, and directly in front is the temple of Shri Dev Jaganath. Behind Shri Dev Purmar’s shrine is the dome of Shri Dev Nirankar. To the front right of the Mauli temple is the stone oil lamp tower (deepstambh), and to the front left are the community hall and devotees’ lodging (Bhaktiniwas).
© Suresh Nimbalkar