Aapeshwar Mahadev temple

Aapeshwar Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in town of Ramseen, Jalore District, Rajasthan, India. It houses a life-sized Swayambhu murti of Shiva, discovered during tilling in Vikram Samvat 1318 (c. 1261 CE), when a ploughshare halted and an Akashvani directed locals to excavate the site.^[1]

Aapeshwar Mahadev Temple
Swayambhu Murti of Aapeshwar Mahadev Ramseen
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Jalore
Deity	Shiva
Festivals	Mahashivaratri; Shravan Somvars; Aapeshwar Mahadev Mela
Governing body	Shri Apeshwar Mahadev Sewa Trust
Location
Location	Ramseen
State	Rajasthan
Country	India
Location in Rajasthan Show map of Rajasthan Aapeshwar Mahadev temple (India) Show map of India
Geographic coordinates	25°00′18″N 72°32′50″E
Architecture
Creator	Swayambhu (self-manifested)
Date established	Vikram Samvat 1318 (c. 1261 CE)[1]

History

Local tradition relates that in Vikram Samvat 1318 a farmer’s ploughshare suddenly stopped at this site. Upon digging, villagers unearthed a natural, life-sized murti of Shiva; an Akashvani (divine voice) was heard instructing its consecration as Aapeshwar (“Lord who manifested Himself”).^[1] According to legend, the village’s name derives from Lord Rama’s exile sojourn here, originally called Ramasayana.^[1]

Location

The temple is situated at 25°00′18″ N 72°32′50″ E, on the eastern bank of the outflow channel from Vitan Dam toward Sikwara, amid low hills and riparian vegetation.^[2][3]

Architecture and features

The sanctum enshrines the uncarved, life-sized murti of Shiva set directly on bedrock with minimal intervention.^[4] Outside the shrine is a stepped kund (tank), whose water devotees compare to that of Dwarka.^[1]

Festivals and rituals

• Aapeshwar Mahadev Mela: A seven-day fair beginning on Mahashivaratri (February–March), featuring devotional singing and folk performances, first reported on 4 March 2019.^[1]
• Rudrābhishek: Annual ritual bathing of the murti, marking its approx. 687-year heritage.^[5]
• Mahashivaratri and Shravan Mondays: Devotees observe fasts, offer milk and Bel leaves, and participate in night-long vigils and aratis.^[5]

Administration and access

The Shri Apeshwar Mahadev Sewa Trust manages temple maintenance and visitor amenities, offering daily darshan from 06:00 to 20:00.^[6] Road access is via the district road network from Jalore and Bhinmal. The nearest railway station is Marwar Bhinmal.