One of the most popular deities in Maharashtra is Lord Khandoba and Jejuri is the best known town of pilgrimage for his devotees. It is believed that Khandoba, is a god of Sakamabhakti i.e. it God who fulfils all the desires of his devotees. Khandoba, also known as Khandobachi Jejuri, Khanderao, Khanderaya, Malhari Martand and Mallu Khan, is regional hindu deity (a form of Lord Shiva) worshipped by Dhangar, the oldest tribes in Maharashtra. Khandoba probably is the only god in Maharashtra who is considered as the family deity of almost all ‘varnas’ and castes unlike that of Mahalakshmi who is mainly of upper castes and Shri Vitthala of a few Warkari families.

Situated on a 758 meter high hillock of Jejurigad, the temple provides excellent views of the surrounding rural landscape. The temple has three entrance gates and devotees have to climb around 385 uneven steps along with 150 ‘deepmalas’ from the northern gate. This gate facing the north shoulders the ‘nagarkhana’ (musical gallery) and the courtyard houses a huge brass tortoise with a diameter of 3 meters also used as a ‘rangashila’ – a stage for performances like dances or discourses. Spectacular festivals such as Champashasthi, Jatra, Somvati amvasya (Bhandara) is celebrated with great joy and devotion. Bhandara festival is also known as the Golden Festival wherein devotees offer turmeric to the Lord Khandoba transforming the entire courtyard into a picturesque sight.