Sri Kanakaditya Temple, Ratnagiri - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 29 km from Rajapur, 35 km from Ratnagiri and 59 km from Vijaydurg Fort, Sri Kanakaditya Temple is a small ancient temple located in the tiny village of Kasheli in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Sri Kanakaditya Temple is one of the few temples in Maharashtra dedicated to the Sun God. The temple had a bright historical background. The black stone idol of Sun God was brought from Prabhas Pattan Sun temple in Gujarat before 800 years. According to the legend, it was secretly transported in a boat from the Prabhas Pattan temple during Allaudin Khilji's attack in 1296 AD. Once the boat reached Kasheli coast it was stopped moving. The boatman left the idol in a cave on the Kasheli coast where it was found by a great devotee of the Sun called Kanaka. She built this temple with laterite stone and mud near the cave.

Sri Kanakaditya Temple is very famous spiritual place and is located on the way to Vijaydurg Fort from Ratnagiri. Many devotees from all over India are visiting the temple every year. It is known for the 5-day Rath Festival with its famous silver chariot-led procession during Ratha Saptami. Many spiritual programs like Kirtan, Pravachan, Aarti, Palakhi etc. are organized during the festival period. One can also visit the 400 sq. feet natural cave, known as Devachi Kholi, where the idol was first found.