History

Jyotiba Temple is a holy site of Hinduism near Wadi Ratnagiri  in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra state in western India. The deity of the temple is known by the same name, and is held by the locals to be an incarnation of three gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha, and Jamadagni. An annual fair takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakha.
Jyotiba temple is situated at a height of 3124 feet above sea level and is dedicated to Jyotiba (Dattatreya). The temple is 18 km north-west of Kolhapur. According to the tradition, the original Kedareshwar temple was built by Navji Saya. In 1730, Ranoji Shinde built the present temple in its place. This shrine is 57 ft x 37 ft x 77 ft high including the spire. The second temple of Kedareshwar is 49 ft x 22 ft x 89 ft high. This shrine was constructed by Daulatrao Shinde in 1808. The third temple of Ramling is 13 ft x 13 ft x 40 ft high including its dome. This temple was constructed in circa 1780 by Malji Nilam Panhalkar. The interior of the temple is ancient. There are other few temples and Light-towers in the premises.
Legend says that the three gods took the form of Jyotiba to destroy the evil Ratnasur. Jyotiba helped Mahalakshmi in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain, and belongs to the Nath sampradaya. He was born in the hands of Vimalmbuja, the wife of the sage Pougand, on Chaitra Shukla 6th. Lord Jyotiba is the incarnation that destroyed Raktabhoj Rakshasa, and Ratnasur Rakshasa thus liberating the region from its tyranny. The idol of Lord Jyotiba is four-armed.
On Chaitra Poornima of Hindu calendar, a big fair is held, when lacs of devotees come with tall (Sasan) sticks. Due to scattering of ‘Gulal’ the whole mountain is turned pink. Being Sunday is day dedicated to Jyotiba, there is always rush over there.