Shri Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon

Shri Gajanan Maharaj is one of the greatest saints of Maharashtra, who made his first appearance on 23rd February, 1878 at a place called Shegaon in Buldhana (Maharashtra). Along with Shirdi Sai Baba and Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, Gajanan Maharaj forms the holy trinity of Guru Saints in Maharashtra. Gajanan Maharaj was Ajanubahu. It means his arms were so long that they would reach up to his knees in standing position. He preached all three streams of Yoga, which include Karmyog, Bhaktiyoga and Dnyanayoga. One of the most authentic and beautifully written biographies (in Marathi) of Gajanan Maharaj is called as Shree Gajanan Vijay and it is composed by Das Ganu, the famous disciple of Shirdi Sai Baba. As per the information provided by his biography Shree Gajanan Vijay, Gajanan Maharaj considered spiritual gurus like Narsinghji, PP Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe Swami Maharaj) and Shirdi Sai Baba as his brothers. It is said that Gajanan Maharaj once appeared at the Pandharpur pilgrimage in the form of Lord Pandurang to his devotee Bapuna Kale. Gajanan Maharaj’s favourite mantra was “Gan Gan Ganaat Bothe”. It means - “No being is separated from God; God exists in all and all exist in God”.

Shri Gajanan Maharaj Samadhi Temple is at the center surrounded by two specious entrance gates in the north and the west directions respectively. The Legendary soul Sant Shri Gajanan Maharaj enlightened through his noble incarnation and brought out tremendous change in the lives of numerous people with his spiritual knowledge and power for a short period of 32 years and ultimately foretold in the year 1908 about drawing a line to his incarnated life. They also hinted at this place where exactly the Samadhi temple is located as a source of inspiration and spiritual insight for millions of devotees.

Shri Gajanan Maharaj in his noble presence gave consent and directed for this Samadhi Temple. In the tunnel the holy existence of living body (Sanjeevan kaya) of Shri Gajanan Maharaj still exists where Shri Hari Patil laid the foundation stone.?The holy existence of this legendary soul in Samadhi Temple blesses and helps for solution to the millions in their difficulties when all options are blocked for them.

If all the saints prefer to gather at the holy place Shri Kshetra Pandharpur, (the headquarter of Warkari Sampraday which is the destination for all Warkari, i.e. devotees participating in Dindi or Palakhi, who ultimately aim to meet their beloved deities Vitthal - Rakhumai), Shegaon is a perfect rendezvous for all devotees. The saints are truly noble in their nature. They never discriminate with cast, colour, creed etc. Rather Saints always show a true path to devotees for an ideal and meaningful life. A true philosopher or guide (A true Guru) is the only ideal person who transforms people from their vices to virtues. A Saint is a synonym of pious life and a true devotee is known for his sincere faith.

Shree’s Samadhi Temple has been built in the most attractive marble stones, where the devotees can have distant glimpse of the idol of Lord Gajanan through an arrangement called ‘ Mukh Darshan’ or can directly go through the tunnel to pray and have a glimpse of Shree’s idol very closely. The precious space near the idol in Gabhara enables the devotees to pray and have a soothing glimpse of the omnipotent spiritual idol of Lord Gajanan. The Samadhi temple’s over part has various sculptures of Gods and Goddesses carved in an exquisite manner.?

Such a grand Samadhi Temple of Shri Gajanan Maharaj has certainly added a lot in the assists of Shegaon and remains a unique landmark of this holy town.

Shriram Mandir: Once the devotees get the closer view of Shree's idol, they enter in Shri Ram Temple, built above the tunnel. There is a great logic for such a sequence.The way to reach in the kingdom of god is shown by a saint or a Guru. Hence, first the prayer spiritual in carnation of Shri Gajanan Maharaj followed by fascinating marble idols of Lord Shri Ram,Goddess Sita and Shri Laxman, on the pedestal of the beautiful Shri Ram Mandir above the Samadhi place, (Shri Gajanan Maharaj preferred to lay his living spiritual body for eternal meditation - called Samadhi). Some part of the entrance of Shri Ram Mandir has been adorned with golden leaves and some part in Gabhara(a reserved holy place, where lord's idol is kept) is also dignified with the gold and its luster, In this Gabhara, the holy footwear (Paduka) which were regularly used by lord Gajanan and the silver masks are kept and they are used during the temple festivals (Palakhi Sohala) for darshan.

Meeting Hall (Sabha Mandap) : After the darshan of Shree Samadhi, when the devotees enter in shri Ram temple, there is a magnificent meeting hall (Sabha Mandap) opposite Shri Ram temples Gabhara. This Meeting Hall has the most beautiful pillars carved out of the high quality stone with the highly decorative designs and arch. The most salient feature of the hall is the glimpse of the holy biography of Lord Gajanan- Shri Gajanan Vijay Grantha in the form of pictorial gallery of all 21 chapters (Adhyaya) which precisely demonstrate the incarnated life, blessing and miracles of Shri Gajanan Maharaj who wiped out the tears of numerous people. The coloring and painting of these pillars carved out of the ancient-stoned look much attractive. This hall is escorted with Shri Ram Temple and a small but fascinating temple of Lord Hanuman, a true devotee of Lord Shri Ram.