Shree Tulaja Bhavani Temple (Marathi: श्री क्षेत्र तुळजा भवानि देवस्थानम्), a 12th century CE Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Bhavani, built in 12th century CE by Mahamandaleshwara Māradadeva of the Kadamb dynasty, considered as one of the 51 Shakti Pithas, is located on the banks of Mandakini.
This Tuljapur Bhavani temple, along with Renuka temple at Mahur 330 km northeast of Tuljapur, Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur 275 southwest of Tuljapur, and Saptashringi temple at Vani 375 northwest of Tuljapur, forms the four great Shaktipitha in Maharashtra.
There are other temples of Tulja Bhavani in India, Chittorgarh Fort Tulja Bhavani Temple at Chittorgarh built in 1537–1540 960 km north of Tuljapur, and the Patnakuva Tulja Bhavani Temple at Patnakuva village of Gandhinagar district in Gujarat 1,000 km northwest of Tuljapur.
One of the earliest legend related to the Goddess Bhavani is mentioned in the Skanda Purana (8th century or earlier) as it finds a mention in that holy script. The legend involves a demon, Madhu-Kaitabh, who was wreaking havoc upon both the gods and humans. Unable to find any solution, they turned to Lord Brahma for help, who advised them to turn to the Goddess Shakti. She took up the form of a destroyer, and powered by the other Sapta Matas, namely Brahmani who manifested from Brahma, Chamunda from Chandi, Kaumari from Kartikeya, Indrani from Indra, Maheshvari from Shiva, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, and Varahi from Varaha, vanquished the demon and restored peace. Legend also states that Bhavani finished another demon that had taken up the disguise of a buffalo (Mahisha), and took shelter on the Yamunachala Hill which is part of Balaghat mountain range.
