Editing Bhavani (section)

==History==
Worship of the primeval energy, [[Shakti]], in the form of the Mother Goddess, is seen in the four [[Shakta pithas]] of Maharashtra: Bhavānī, with her seat at [[Tuljapur]], [[Lakshmi|Mahalakshmi]] at [[Kolhapur]], Mahamaya [[Renuka]] at [[Mahur, Maharashtra|Mahur]], and [[Saptashrungi]] at [[Vani (Maharashtra)|Vani]]. Śrī Bhavānī Amman is also worshipped in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]] (Periyapalayam). Other Shakti temples in the Maharashtra state are those at [[Ambejogai]],    [[Aundh, Satara|Aundh]], [[Maharashtra]], and [[Karnataka]].

The goddess Bhavānī is held in great reverence throughout Maharashtra. She is considered to be an embodiment of ''ugra'' or ferocity, as well as a Karunaswaroopini, an embodiment of mercy. A number of castes, sub-castes, and families from Maharashtra consider her their family deity or ''[[Kuladevata]]''. The Bhavani temple in Tuljapur is located on a hill known as Yamunachala, on the slopes of the Sahayadri range in Maharashtra near Solapur. The temple entrance is elevated and visitors ascend a flight of steps to reach the shrine. 

Historic records speak of the existence of this temple from as early as the 12th century CE. Bhavānī is worshipped in the form of a granite image, {{convert|3|ft}} tall, with eight arms that hold weapons and one hand in abhayā mūdra (giving blessings to devotees), she kills the demon [[Mahishasura]] in 4 different forms which are [[Katyayani]] (10-armed), [[Chandi|Mahalakshmi]] (18-armed/1000 armed Devī Ćaṇḍika from Durgā Saptaśatī), [[Chandi|Ugrachanda]] (18-armed) and [[Bhadrakali]] (16-armed). Legend says that a demon by the name of Matang wreaked havoc upon the devas and humans, who approached Brahma for help. 

Upon his advice, they turned to the Mother Goddess Shakti. She took the form of the destroyer and, empowered by the other Saptamātṛka (Brāhmaṇī, Vaiṣṇavī, Māheśvari, Indrāṇi, Kaumārī, Vārāhī, and Ćāmuṇḍā.), vanquished the demon and allowed the restoration of peace. Legend also describes how Bhavānī vanquished another demon who had taken the form of a wild buffalo, [[Mahishasura]] (hence her name [[Durga|Mahishasura Mardhini]] or "the slayer of Mahisha the demon"). Later, she is said to have taken abode on the Yamunachala hill, which is now home to the temple. Bhavānī is said to have come here{{where|date=January 2017}} to save Anubhuti from the demon known as Kukur. In a battle with the goddess, Kukur took the form of a buffalo; Bhavani cut off his head, and he then started changing into his original form. At that time, she stabbed her trident into his chest. Hence, she is in form of Mahishasura Mardini Durga. Four worship services are offered at the temple each day. 

The festivals of special significance are Gudi Padwa in the month of Chaitra, Shriral Sashti, Lalita Panchami, Makara Sankranti, and Rathasaptami. The statue of the deity is taken out in procession on Tuesdays. Navaratri is also celebrated with great fanfare, and it culminates in Vijaya Dasami. Sri Bhavani Devi is said to be Adi Parashakti herself, and the name Bhavani has several meanings. According to Lalitha Sahasranamam, ''Bhavānī'' means the deity who always helps devotees gain [[Moksha|mukti]]. [[Adi Shankara]] said, "A Person who recites the name ''Bhavani'' with true devotion thrice every day will not acquire sorrow, sin, illness and unexpected death." People occasionally confuse Bhavani devi with Renuka Devi; however, their stories are different. There are many texts which name Bhavani as the wife of [[Sadasiva]].

Bhavai is also worshipped as clan deity by many Hindus, notably by many [[Rajput]], [[Maratha|Marathas]], the [[Deshastha Brahmin|Deshastha Brahmins]] of [[Maharashtra]] and the [[Agri (caste)|Agris]] of [[Konkan]].<ref name="Richards1995">{{cite book |author=John F. Richards |title=The Mughal Empire |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHyVh29gy4QC&pg=PA208 |year=1995 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-56603-2 |pages=208–}}</ref>{{sfn|Eaton, The Sufis of Bijapur|2015|pp=183–184}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Roy|first1=Kaushik|title=Hinduism and the Ethics of Warfare in South Asia: From Antiquity to the Present|date=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-57684-0|page=202|language=en}}</ref> According to local tradition, [[Shivaji]], the founder of the [[Maratha Empire]], was presented with the ''Chandrahasa'' sword by Bhavani for the battle against evil.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tuljapur: Abode of the Goddess|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/tuljapur-abode-goddess/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Outlook Traveller|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Image of Tulja Bhavani===
The image (''murti''&thinsp;) of Tulja Bhavani is made of black stone, about {{convert|3|ft}} in height and {{convert|2|ft}} in width. The face of the goddess is described as beautiful and smiling. The goddess is asta-bhuja (with 8 hands) Durga.  Her long hair is coming out of the crown.
She has a quiver on her back. The sun and the moon are present. Her lion stands near her. The image is self-manifested and movable. 

It is moved three times a year from its place to the bedroom of Mā Bhavānī. Below the lion, sage Markandeya is chanting the Durga-saptashati shlokas. The lady sage Anubhuti is on the left side of the goddess; she is in a hanging position and is meditating on the goddess. It is ''chala murti'', moved thrice a year during the long sleeping periods of maa Bhavani. The face of Sati had fallen in Tuljapur, and due to this the face is decorated with saris and ornaments.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}