Jai Malhar

Plot

The series centers on Lord Martanda Bhairava, also known as Khandoba, a reincarnation of Lord Shiva. It depicts his courage, magnanimity, and prowess.

Khandoba, fondly called Malhar, is worshiped across Maharashtra and beyond as a family deity. Devotees express devotion by chanting "Yelkot Yelkot Jai Malhar." The foremost center of his worship is Jejuri in Maharashtra, visited by lakhs annually. Khandoba is portrayed as a god of love, a superpower, and a symbol of excellence, presented as a superhero for the young generation.

Cast

Devdatta Nage portrays Lord Shiva, Lord Khandoba, and Khandu Gavda. Khandoba is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, slayer of demons Mani and Malla, who protects devotees and resides in Jejuri. Surabhi Hande plays Goddess Mhalsa Devi, daughter of Timmasheth Vani and Mayananda from Nevasa. She marries Lord Khandoba and becomes queen of Jejuri, a loving housewife who takes a ferocious form to slay demons; she is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati with the appearance of Goddess Mohini.

Isha Keskar plays Goddess Banai Devi and Jayadri. Banai, also known as Banubai, is from Dhangarpada of Chandanpuri; her biological parents are God Indra and Goddess Shachi, but she was raised by Ajamel, a Dhangar man. She is devoted to Lord Khandoba as his wife. Jayadri is the daughter of Lord Indra and Goddess Shachi, later reborn as Banai due to a curse.

Gauri Sukhtankar plays Goddess Parvati Devi, consort of Lord Shiva and daughter of King Himavan, who promises Jayadri to be Lord Shiva's wife as Mhalsa. Bageshree Nimbalkar plays Goddess Ganga Devi, personification of the river Ganga, sister of Parvati.

Prashant Choudappa plays Sardar Choudappa, commander in chief of Lord Khandoba. Shanay Shekhar Bhise plays Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati, who witnesses Parvati's promise to Jayadri and later helps Mhalsa and Banai. Atul Abhyankar or Nakul Ghanekar plays Hegadi Pradhan and Lord Vishnu.

Did You Know?

• The show replaced Tu Tithe Me on 18 May 2014.
• It was the first time a Zee serial was dubbed into a non-Indian language and also aired in Thai on Zee Nung as Jay Martand.
• The show received highest TVRs of 5.3 and 5.6 in week 47 and 52 of 2014.
• Special 2-hour episodes aired for Khandoba-Mhalsa's Marriage on 17 August 2014 and Khandoba-Banai's Marriage on 3 May 2015.
• The title montage was particularly popular among viewers.