Overview

The Ekvira Aai Mandir is a Hindu temple located near the Karla Caves near Lonavala in Maharashtra, India. Here, the worship of the goddess Ekvira is carried on right next to the caves, once a center of Buddhism. The temple is a prime spot of worship for the Tribal Coastal Koli People. But along with the Koli (fisherman) folk, Aai Ekvira is worshipped by many communities, especially those belonging to the Agri, CKP Daivadnya Brahmins & somewhat Bhandari and Kunbi caste as their presiding family deity, Kuldaivat.

This temple-complex originally consisted of three alike shrines built in a row all facing west. Of these, the central and the southern shrines are preserved in full and rest of the structures are preserved only on plan and that too brought to light in the clearance work. Maha-mandapa, varsha-mandapa and gopura are situated in front of these three shrines and these three shrines are surrounded by sixteen shrines of additional parivara devatas. The devotees throng the temple on all occasions of Navaratri and Chaitri Navratra to worship and celebrate. It is believed that the Goddess has magical powers