Who is Lord Khandoba and why is he worshipped?

Lord Khandoba is considered to be a form of Lord Shiva. He is worshipped the most in Maharashtra and North Karnataka. He is considered as a Kuldevata (family deity) of a lot of families from these regions. But along with Hindus, Khandoba is also worshipped by a section of the Jain population. More importantly, worshipping him is considered to bring together people of different castes and communities, including Muslims.

Khandoba is specifically remembered for eliminating two Asura brothers. According to the legends, Asuras Malla and his younger brother Mani performed severe austerities. After continuing the same for years, Lord Brahma got impressed and granted them boons. The boons made them so powerful that they started misusing their powers by making life hell for saints, Demigods and the general population. They also captured the Manichurna Mountain, which was the residing place of sacred individuals.

All those fed-up of Malla and Mani approached Lord Shiva for help. Shiva took the form of Khandoba and, after a long battle, the demonic brothers Malla and Mani were finally eliminated. While dying, Mani, who was now back to his senses, asked for a boon that he be present in every Khandoba temple in the future. His wish is granted and he gets transformed into a Demigod.

When Malla was asked what he wanted as a boon, he expressed his desire to destroy the world and consume the flesh of humans. Khandoba gets furious at such a wish and beheads Malla.

            Photo source: Wikipedia

There are also some other versions about the story of Khandoba. In one such legend, it is believed that Khandoba eliminated only one Asura named Manimalla but his name included the names of both the Asuras Mani and Malla.

It is believed that Khandoba had two wives – Mhalsa and Banai. Khandoba is also known with the name ‘Malhari’, which means the enemy of the Asura Malla. That’s the reason why Khandoba’s devotees worship Him and greet each other by saying, “Jai Malhar.”

Khandoba is mostly depicted while seated on a horse along with Mhalsa while battling the Asuras Malla and Mani. Mhalsa is seen stabbing one Asura with a spear while a dog is seen biting the same Asura.

The main temple of Khandoba is situated in Jejuri in Maharashtra. A grand temple of His is also located near Deolali, which this writer visited in 2018 (the rest of the three pictures are from that visit). It is believed that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had visited this temple once.

Also see: Pictures: Khandoba Temple atop the hill at Deolali