Sonari

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About Sonari:-

Sonari is largely an agricultural village in Parenda tahsil. The village however is known for an antique shrine dedicated to Bhairavnath.
History:-

It is said and testified to by the Puranas also that Sankar appeared in Bhairava incarnation in order to put an end to the menace of the demons who were destroying the yajnyas and killing Brahmanas.. Suvarnasur was destined to die at the hands of a married person only, Bhairavnath decided to marry a maidan from Ambejogai in Bid district. The marriage, however, did not consummate and hence Bhairavnath married a Ses Kanya from Muganv, a village some where in the vicinity of Sonari and then killed Suvarnasur with the help of Kalbhairav Devi. A victory pillar or ranastambha was erected on the spot where the demon lay dead and it is said that the present temple was constructed on the same spot in much later times. Bhairavnath also succeeded in destroying the other demons. Nearby are two well constructed tirtha kundas known as Lahabai or Loha Tirtha and Suvarna Tirtha
About Temple:-
The temple is encompassed by a compound wall with two solid entrances, the one on the eastern side being surmounted by a nagarkhana or drum chamber. In the wall of this entrance gate an illegible inscription is to be seen. Immediately inside there are four stone masonry well designed dipmals or lamp-pillars illuminated only on festival occasions and cloisters to accommodate the pilgrims.
The temple can be divided into three parts, the outer and inner sabha mandaps and the vestibule. Whereas the outer sabha mandap is practically in ruins with half its roof having been collapsed, the inner one supported on twelve teak-wood pillars is in good order.
The vestibule crowned with a 13.716 metre (45 ft.) high sikhar contains the black stone idol of Bhairavnath and has a broad circumambulatory passage around. Two fairs, one in Karttik commemorating the incarnation day of Bhairavnath and the other in Caitra celebrating his marriage and the killing of Suvarnasur demon are held annually. On both the occasions a huge ratha or chariot of Bhairavnath is drawn, followed by a large procession, to the accompaniment of cymbals and other musical instruments. Devotees from all over Maharastra as well as from North India gather on the occasion.
In the vicinity of this temple there is a math or a monastery whose head priest is elected every twelve years at Kasi at the time of the Kumbha Mela.