Kanakaditya Temple Kasheli

"Shri Kanikaditya Mandir, located in Kasheli village of Rajapur Taluka, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, is a highly revered temple dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The black stone idol of Lord Kanakaditya, originally brought from Gujarat’s Prabhas Pattan Sun Temple during a time of invasion over 800 years ago, is the presiding deity and central focus of worship at this ancient spiritual center.

Apart from the main sanctum of the Sun God, the temple complex also features smaller shrines dedicated to deities like Lord Ganesha and Goddess Mahakali, blending local Konkani traditions into its daily rituals. The temple’s architecture is authentic Konkani, built primarily from laterite stone and intricately carved teak wood, creating a warm and inviting ambiance for devotees.

The Kanakaditya Rathotsav, or annual Jatra, is celebrated with great enthusiasm each year during Ratha Saptami (Magh month, January-February). The festivities span several days and feature a grand chariot procession, spiritual discourses, kirtans, and vibrant community participation.

Having served as a center of Sun worship for more than eight centuries, Shri Kanikaditya Mandir stands as a unique testament to Konkan’s enduring devotion and rich architectural heritage."

Rizwan Uddin

"It's a beautiful temple, one must visit. You will have a great cultural and genuine experience. Divine vibes during morning aarti (Kakad aarti in Marathi) and bhajan. The Murti of Lord Surya radiates divine brilliance and positivity. You can stay at Bhakta Nivas which is adjacent to temple with very warm hosts. One must know that there is no Airtel and Vodafone network here, only Jio works."

Sameer Athalye

"Shri Kanakaditya Temple in Maharashtra dedicated to the Sun God. it's a very peaceful place , we visited this place in morning so no rush in temple ,The temple had a bright historical background. The black stone idol of Sun God was brought from Prabhas Pattan Sun temple in Gujarat 800 years ago. According to the legend, it was secretly transported in a boat from the Prabhas Pattan temple during Allauddin Khilji's attack in 1296 AD. Once the boat reached the Kasheli coast it stopped moving. The boatman left the idol in a cave on the Kasheli coast where it was found by a great devotee of the Sun called Kanaka. She built this temple with laterite stone and mud near the cave.
Shri Kanakaditya Temple is a very famous spiritual place. Many devotees from all over India visit the temple every year. It is known for the 5-day Rath Festival with its famous silver chariot-led procession during Ratha Saptami. Many spiritual programs like Kirtan, Pravachan, Aarti, Palakhi etc. are organized during the festival period."

Sharmila Devali