Parbhani is a city in Parbhani district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Parbhani, formerly known as “Prabhavatinagar”, is a city in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Parbhani District. Parbhani is situated approximately at the center of Maharashtra. The state capital, Mumbai lies to the west of Parbhani.
Parbhani was named after Goddess Prabhavati – the Goddess with Great Aura. The region didn’t do well for itself under the Sultans, Mughals and Nizams of the Muslim Dynasty. For around 650 years, Parbhani stayed a stagnated village. However, once it was merged with Maharashtra in 1960, the place started to prosper. Parbhani also known as "A Land Of Temples"
Parbhani is most famous for being the holy site of Sai Baba’s – a reincarnation of Dattatraya – birth at a place called Pathri, about 45 km away. The Jabareshwar Beleshwar Mahadev, the Mota Maruthi and the Pardeshwara are few of the many religious shrines that can be found here.
The Jain Temple of Jintur is another fantastic holy spot 40 km away. A village nearby that goes by the name Mudgal, is said to be the only place where Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are worshipped together. The Narsimha Temple is another famous temple here.
The temple of Shri Keshavraj Babasaheb deserves special mention, as he was Shri Sai Baba’s Guruji. This temple is located at Selu, about 45 km away from Parbhani. Earlier known as Parbhavatinagar, Parbhani is a district located in the state of Maharashtra. It figures as one amongst the eight districts of the Marathwada region. It is set at an altitude of 357 m above seal level and is flanked by the Balaghat Hills and the Ajanta Hills on either side.
Parbhani has religious significance in Hindu Mythology. It is a birthplace of saints, Sai Baba being one of the most celebrated and revered ones. There are numerous temples situated in the nearby vicinity.
Tourist Places in Parbhani
Gangakhed, Osmanabad : Situated on the banks of Godavari River, Gangakhed is birth place of Shree Saint Janabai. Apart from Janabai Mandir, there are many famous temples like Shree Balaji temple, Datta Dham, Shree Mannat Mandir, Chintamani Mandir, Shani Mandir, Shree Balaji temple are located on the banks of river Godavari.
Yeldari Dam : Yeldari Dam is an earth fill dam built on Purna River near Yeldari for irrigation and hydroelectricity generation. The boating facility is also available on the lake. The 16th century Vishnu temple is located with 25 km from dam. The temple was built by the Kings of Vijaynagar Empire and located amidst greenery. The place is ideal picnic spot to spend weekend in lush greenery and peaceful environment.
Shirdi Saibaba Janmshtan Mandir, Pathri (Parbhani) : Pathri is famous for birth place of Sai Baba and also place where Sai Baba met and stayed with his spiritual guru. It has Shirdi Saibaba Janmshtan Mandir located in Selu town.
Shri Kshetra Nemgiri Sansthan, Jintur : The hills of Nemgiri and Chandragiri are famous for their ancient artistic & miraculous Jain Cave Temples & Chaityalayas. The idol of Lord Parshvanath, which appears to be miraculously adjourned in the air three inches above the ground on a very small stone that can be barely seen, is one of the major attractions. The swinging stone pillar and the ancient kund at Charthana, are other attractions of excellent architecture in Jintur.
Shri Narsingh Sansthan, Pokharni : Shri Narsingh Sansthan Pokharni is situated on the bank of the Indrayani River in Godavari Valley known as Dandkaranya and famous all over Maharashtra. It is one of the few temples of Lord Narsimha in Maharastra state. The lord's Idol is made of the sand stone and fixed on the plinth. The temple is 1000 years old built in Hemadpanthi style.
Shri Yoganand Saraswati Swami Maharaj Sansthan, Gunj : Shri Yoganand Maharaj took Sanjeevan Samadhi on the banks of River Godavari at Gunj where the temple has been built in his memory. Many followers visit the temple daily.
Datta Temple, Gunj : Gunj Khurd is a village in Pathri Taluka in Parbhani District and famous for the Lord Dattatraya temple. Datta temple is located at 14 km from Pathari.
Mudgaleshwar (Mudgal) Temple : Mudgal is a village in Pathri Taluka in Parbhani District and known for Shiva temple and Ganesh temple. Shiva Tempple is dedicated God Mudgaleshwar and onlyplace in India where Vishnu (Mudgal Narsimha) and Shiva (Mudgaleshwar) are worshiped together.
Tridhara : Tridhara is the place of confluence of three rivers Purna, Dudhna and Kapra.
Mrityunjaya Pardeshwar Temple (Mercury Shivlinga) : Pardeshwar Temple is built of marble by Sri Swami Sachchidandji Saraswati. The huge temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva with 80 foot of height. The uniqueness of the temple is that main shrine Shivlinga is made of 250 kg of Parad (Mercury) and one of the largest Shivlinga of India. This shivlingam made of Parad is called as Tejoling and has equal religious importance of Twelve Jyotirlinga.
Shree Ashtabhuja Mata Mandir : Shree Ashtabhuja Mata Mandir is one of the important Hindu religious places of Parbhani and many devotees visit the temple daily for blessing. Navratri is main festival of the temple celebrated in the month of September/October.
Shri Peda Hanuman Mandir : Shri Peda Hanuman Mandir is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and located near Parbhani railway station. The devotees offer Peda to Hanumanji so the temple is called as Peda Hanuman Mandir. Many festivals such as Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, Shri Krisha Jayanti and other Hindu festivals are celebrated by the temple.
Shah Turabul Haq (Turatpir) Dargah, Parbhani : Shah Turabul Haq (Turatpir ) Dargah consists of the tomb of Hazrat Turabal Haq Shah, a Muslim saint who spent the last days of his life. The Dargah is famous for Urus (fair) where people of all religions come together and celebrate for a week in the month of February.
Best Time to Visit Parbhani
The best time to visit Parbhani is during the winter season between October to February when the weather is at its best.
How to Reach Parbhani?
By Air : Nearest airport is at Nanded, roughly 67 km from Parbhani. Parbhani Airport is under progress at National High Way No. 222. Nanded airport is 59 km from Parbhani. There are daily flights to Aurangabad from many Indian Cities. Parbhani is 191 km from Aurangabad.
By Rail : Parbhani is well connected by railway to New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangaluru, Hyderabad, Secundrabad, Aurangabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Amritsar, Agra, Bhopal. Parbhani is an important Railway junction on the Mumbai-Parbhani-Secunderabad and Parli-Parbhani-Bangalore lines.
By Road : Parbhani is well connected by road to other major cities also in Maharashtra and even in the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh.