Remember the impassive Justice Ramashastri Prabhune who told the actual Raghobadada Peshwas that 'there is no other atonement for this crime than bodily atonement'? Their area Mahuli native village is near Satara city on Pandharpur state road.
The confluence of the two holy rivers Krishna and Venna originating at Mahabaleshwar is near Mahuli. Sangam Mahuli is situated on one bank of this confluence and Sri Kshetra Mahuli is on the other bank.
Mahuli is also mentioned in Puranas. The Kishkindhakanda of the Ramayana mentions the confluence of Krishna and Venna. It is believed that Lord Parashurama stayed at this place for some time when he left for pilgrimage. History records that Bajirao-Mastani also lived here.
Mahuli has witnessed many historical events. The major event in this is that in 1674, Samarth Ramdas came to bathe at this place on the day of Kapilashashti. The story goes that the Brahmins who offered pooja to Samartha were given river pebbles as Remuneration by Samartha and later turned into gold.
The main temples on the banks of the Krishna in Mahuli are Vishveshwara Temple and Sangameshwara Temple. The Visveshwara temple is located on the Krishna-Venna confluence in Sangam Mahuli village. This temple was built in 1735 by Shripatrao Pantapratinidhi.
The temple premises are large and there are steps leading down to the river side. The temple is built in the Hemadpanti style within a strong fortification. A Shiva Linga is situated in the center of the core.
In front of the temple is a carved Nandi, booth and a big lamp. Numerous sculptures are carved all over the temple from the top of the temple. Sangam Mahuli includes Vishveshwar temple, Ram temple, Vitthal-Rukmini temple, Bhairav temple, Parashuram temple and other small and big temples.
On the other bank of the river i.e. Sangameshwar temple is the major temple in the region. This temple is also known as Suvarneshwar temple. Mahuli has the mausoleum of Shahu Maharaj's beloved dog 'Khandya' as well as the mausoleums of many historical figures.
The small memorial of Justice Ramashastri Prabhune inspires everyone working in the judiciary. Witnessing many events since the Ramayana period, Mahuli has become a center of attraction for the filming of Hindi-Marathi films. You must go to Mahuli to understand the saying 'Santh Vahte Krishnamai'.
268 KM from Mumbai Airport via Pune, Shirwal, Satara, Keshtra Mahuli
112 Km from Pune via Shirawal, Bhuij, Satara Road
126 KM from Kolhapur via Karad, Umbraj, Satara,
337 KM from Goa via Belgavi, Kolhapur, Karad, Satara, Keshtra Mahuli
6.5 KM from Satara Bus Stand via Satara-Koregaon Road