01The Devi in the cliff
Saptashrungi means seven horns, the seven peaks of the Sahyadri spur above the village of Vani, north of Nashik. The Devi is about eight feet tall, carved out of the rock face itself under an overhang, with eighteen arms holding weapons the Devas gave her to fight Mahishasura, and she is coated in shendur so that her large eyes shine out of a red face. Devotees hold her to be Mahalakshmi of the Devi Mahatmya. Marathi tradition counts three full Peethas, Kolhapur, Tuljapur and Mahur, and Vani as the half, the ardha-peetha, completing the three and a half.
02Steps, trolley and the Chaitra yatra
About five hundred steps climb the cliff to the shrine, and since 2018 a funicular trolley carries pilgrims up in a few minutes. Chaitra Navaratri, ending at Chaitra Purnima, and Ashvin Navaratri bring huge crowds, many of whom walk from Nashik and from Khandesh. During the Chaitra yatra a saffron flag is carried up and planted on the topmost peak, a climb by a route that only those who hold the hereditary right attempt.
The life of this place
- 2018Work begins on the funicular trolley to the shrine.
About 60 km north of Nashik by road. Go early during Navaratri; the trolley queue grows by mid-morning.
