Vithal Rakhumai Mandir

Vithal Rakhumai Mandir is situated at Vithalapur Sankhali on the river side of Valvanti. There is a local story which says how this temple was existed. There was a person from Rane Sardesai family of Sattari who had gone to Vari at Pandharpur during Ekadashi. While returning back from Pandharpur he felt that his Jholi (bag) had became heavy. When he peeped into it, he found out that he was carrying an idol of Vithal and Rakhumai. He made up his mind to take these idol with him to his home. While returning back to home, he reached near the river Valvanti, he thought of getting fresh. He kept his Jholi (bag) near river side and went inside the river. When he returned back from river he tried to lift his Jholi but, he was not able to move or lift the Jholi. He realised that it was Gods wish to stay here and so he decided to build a temple where the idol was kept.
 
When the Rane (Sardesai of Sattari) had a maratial relation with Scindia of Gwalior, Scindia planned to build a big temple and Rajwada for Rane. Cause of this temple is made of Gwalior style architecture and is different from the rest of the temple in Sankhali. 

Temple premises also has temples of Devi Bhavani, Hanuman Mandir, Sankhaleshwar Mandir and Raj Sadarr of Rane Sardesai of Sattari where all legal decisions for people and judicial decisions had taken place. The temple trustees are Rane Sardesai of Sattari. 

Temple celebrates many festival such as Ekadashi, Navratri and so on. But main function where people attends in large numbers is "Chaitri". Chaitri is festival which comes after Ram Navami and gets end on Hanuman Jayanti. Chaitri is being celebrated for 5-6 days. Lot of devotees attends the festival and gets the blessings from the Dev and Devi. Stalls like sweets, eateries, toys, household items, games and so on are put up by the vendors for the people. For 5 days Dashavtari Natak (drama play) is being arranged for the entertainment of devotees where they get to know the legacy of Gods and Goddesses. On the last day event of Virbhadra (avtar of Mahadev) takes place. People attend in large number to see the event. After this finally Rath (chariot of God) is pulled by Rane Sardesai and makes a circle to the temple and festival gets over.

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