The Shri Sagreshwar Temple, located on the Sagreshwar coast at Ubha Danda in Vengurla, Sindhudurg district, is a well-known tourist destination. While traveling from Vengurla towards Redi, Ubha Danda village appears after crossing the creek bridge. From the main road in this village, a narrow lane leads to the temple, and even small vehicles must be driven carefully along it. This temple, surrounded by tranquillity and natural beauty, is often visited by tourists coming to the beach as well. Built of stone, this ancient Shiva temple stands in a picturesque setting by the seashore, enclosed on all four sides by strong fort-like walls. The temple stands about 5–6 feet below the current ground level. When it was originally built, it was at ground level, but over time, sand carried by the winds from the sea accumulated around it, forming a mound, making the temple appear sunken. ... Inside the temple premises, directly in front of the entrance, stands an Audumbar tree. On one side of it is a hexagonal deepmala (lamp tower), and on the other side is a Tulsi Vrindavan. The premises also house two or three rooms for devotees’ stay and a well. Despite being so close to the sea, the well’s water is fresh. The temple structure consists of a sanctum (Garbhagriha) and a sabhagriha (assembly hall). The sanctum’s doorway features a Ganesh Patti and, above it, a depiction of Kirtimukh. On the right side of the sanctum is a stone idol of Goddess Bhagwati, and on the left side, a stone idol of Lord Ganesha. Entry into the sanctum is allowed only for those who have taken a ritual bath. In one of the walls of the sanctum, there is a stone inscription in Devanagari script narrating the temple’s history, though much of the text has been scratched and defaced, making it difficult to consider fully authentic. According to the inscription, in Shaka 1777 (A.D. 1855), a Brahmin named Sande discovered a Shivalinga buried in the sand along the shore. Because it was found by the sea, the deity was named Sagreshwar. The Sawantwadi principality granted this land to the temple as an inam (tax-free endowment). A grand festival is held here on Mahashivratri. As the temple is located on the seashore, during special occasions such as Somvati Amavasya and other auspicious days, deities from nearby and distant villages, floating deities, and devotees gather here for holy rituals. Shri Sagreshwar Temple and the Sagreshwar coast together form one of the most important tourist spots in the Vengurla taluka.
© Suresh Nimbalkar