Pilgrimage tourism in Beed district involves visiting the various temples situated here. Most of these temples are ancient constructions and apart from their religious significance, they also have immense historical worth. A prime example of such a temple is the temple of God Vaijinath in Parli. Apart from being one of the twelve jyotirlingas, it also quite an ancient temple, built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Discussed below are the various places of pilgrimage tourism in the district of Beed.
Parli Vaijinath Temple
The temple of God Vaijinath in Parli is one of the twelve jyotirlingas. It is a very sacred as well as a historical place. Queen ahilyabai holkar reconstructed the temple in stone. At the entrance of the temple the grand entrance construction attracts the attention of visitors. Around the temple there are three Kundas. Vaijinath is the fifth jyotirlinga among the twelve. Other famous temples at Parli include the Rajasthani Balaji temple built with a gopuram and the Shani temple.
Yogeshwari temple at Ambejogai
There are three temples here which are believed to be very powerful in fulfilling the desires of the devotees. Godess Yogeshwari is one of them. This historical temple was built in ancient times. Ambejogai is also renowned for being the birthplace of Mukand Raj who wrote `Vivek Sandhu`.
Rakshbhuvan (Shani Dev)
On the banks Godavari River there is an ancient temple of Shani Maharaj. It is one of the holy places of Shani which is one of the three and a half holy places of god Shani. On the occasion Shani amavasya, thousands of people come from Maharashtra and other states of India to take the blessings of Shani Maharaj . Apart from this there is a holy temple of Panchaleshwar here. The place is a cultural centre for the believers of the Mahananubhava sect.
Chakarwadi
In Chakarwadi there is a samadhi, the burial place of the great Saint Dnyaneshwar Mauli. Mauli was born in Uttreshwar Pimpri and worked for the people there. He is said to have had the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman. On the occasion of Amavasya many people visit the place for Mauli`s blessing.
Ashvalinga Temple
Ashvalinga temple is situated in Pimplewadi. There is also the Kartikaya Swami temple located here. The unique feature is that only on Kartika Poornima and Kartika Nakshatra women are allowed to have his Darshana.
Nagnath Temple (Manur)
There is an ancient temple of Lord Shankara. It is said that it is the native place of Babruvahana, the son of Arjuna. It is a place where deathless Ashwathama is said to have been wandering for ever.
Gorakshanath Temple
It is a famous holy site situated on a high hill. Found here is a temple of Lord Mahadeo and the Samadhi of Gorakshanath. It is said that Gorakshnath threw a golden brick on that hill and the temple was built at the site.
Shri Kshetra Narayan
This place is considered to be quite sacred as it is said that a linga appears here automatically after every 12 years. The holy place, called `Dhakti Pandhari` is situated on a hill.
Pohicha Dev
Situated on high hills, this is a famous place among the followers of the Mahananubhav sect, who worship at the omni-potent Lord Datta`s temple. The carvings of the temple have been remarkably made and are very attractive to behold. It is said that Shri Chakaradhar Swami, the founder of the Mahanubhav sect, visited that place.
Navagan Rajuri
It is a ten minute drive from Beed on the Beed-Nagar road in the west. This is a holy place famous for the Lord Navagan Ganpati temple. The greatest attraction of the place is a splendid idol of Lord Siddh Ganesh having four heads facing the four directions.
Namalgaon
It is an ancient village famous for the temple of Lord Ganesha found here. The standing idol of Lord Ganesha in the temple is very attractive. Here, there is a union of the rivers Karpara, Bendsura and the Narmada River. Besides this there is also a water tank. It is believed that people who suffer from leprosy get relief when they take a bath in the tank.
Sidhawad
To the East of Namalgaon there is a temple of Shri Kolhapurwasini Laxmidevi. There is a wad (banyan tree), situated to the west of the temple. Because of this, the name of the temple was given as village became Siddhawad.
Apart from the above mentioned, there are many other temples located in the district of Beed. These include the Dev Dahiphal, Bankat Swami Temple, Neknoor Dargah, Beteshwar Temple etc.