Gajanan Maharaj Temple is a well-known Hindu temple dedicated to Shri Gajanan Maharaj Located in Shegaon, Maharashtra. The Gajanan Maharaj Temples were built to honour Sant Gajanan Maharaj, an Indian holy saint who is well-known in Maharashtra, India, and throughout the world. Maharaj lived in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, spending the majority of his time in Shegaon, where he achieved Samadhi on September 8, 1910.

Shegaon gained a reputation as a holy place after Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj settled there. Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple was built at his Samadhi site. Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is the largest temple trust in Vidarbha, also known as the “Pandharpur of Vidarbha”. It draws pilgrims from across Maharashtra.

Legend/Story Related to Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon

Sant Shri Gajanan Maharaj, the legendary soul, enlightened through his noble incarnation and brought about tremendous change in the lives of numerous people with his spiritual knowledge and power for a short period of 32 years before foretelling in the year 1908 that he would draw a line at his incarnation. They also hinted that the location of the Samadhi temple would serve as a source of inspiration and spiritual insight for millions of devotees.

Shri Gajanan Maharaj, in his noble presence, consented and directed the construction of this Samadhi Temple. Shri Gajanan Maharaj’s holy living body (Sanjeevan kaya) can still be found in the tunnel, where Shri Hari Patil laid the foundation stone. The holy presence of this legendary soul in the Samadhi Temple blesses and assists millions in finding solutions to their problems when all other options are exhausted.

The Yogi’s Supreme Power

Empty Well filled up with water to the brim – Shree Gajanan Maharaj arrived in Akoli Village during the Hindu month of Vaishakh. He was thirsty but couldn’t find any drinkable water nearby. At the same time, he noticed a farmer named Bhaskar Patil working on the farm. Shree Gajanan Maharaj asked Bhaskar to give him some water to drink, but instead, he abused Maharaj in anger. In search of water, Maharaj visited a nearby well. When Bhaskar saw this, he said, “You mad man, that well has been dry for 12 years”. Listening to this Maharaj in a downcast mood, he prayed to the Almighty: “The village of Akoli is thirsty for water; come to their rescue.”

Shree Gajanan Maharaj is unaffected by fire– When some ascetics gave a discourse in front of Maharaj, they said, “Weapons or fire cannot destroy the soul.” Shree Gajanan Maharaj performed his divine play there. Some fire sparks from his smoking pipe fell on the cot, and it was quickly engulfed. People nearby became terrified as they witnessed this, but Maharaj sat calmly amidst the flames, unharmed. He asked Bhrahmagiri, the chief of ascetics, to demonstrate that weapons and fire cannot destroy the soul. Brahmagiri regretted his actions and surrendered to Maharaj. He admitted that he had only superficial bookish knowledge and no experience. Shree Gajanan Maharaj offered him advice and forgiveness.

History of Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon

He is believed to be descended from Lord Dattatreya’s incarnation, as stated in Shripad Shri Vallabh Charitramrut, originally written by Shri Shankar Bhat, a contemporary of Sripad Sri Vallabh (1320-1350) (Chapter 41), which states that one of Sripad Sri Vallabha’s two brothers, the first Datta avatar, would take rebirth as Swami Ramdas in the 17th century, who would then take rebirth as Gajanan Maharaj in Shivagaon in the 19th century.

In Chapter 9 of Shree Gajanan Vijay Granth, Hari Bhakt Parayan (HBP) Das Ganu Maharaj depicts the episode in which Gajanan Maharaj gives darshan to Balkrishna Buwa Ramdasi in Balapur in the form of Swami Ramdas.  The biography written by HBP Das Ganu Maharaj in 1939 has been adopted as the official biography and approved by the Shegaon Sansthan. However, other documented stories written by Nagalkar, Nimonkar, and others claim that Maharaj was first seen in 1888, rather than 1878, ten years later.

Reference – https://www.shreeswami.org/

The Architecture of Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon

The temple is located just outside Badlapur village on a small hillock surrounded by fields and lush greenery. The enchanting natural beauty surrounding the temple is an additional attraction for devotees who visit the temple.

Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple Thane (Ram Maruti Road)- Shri Vinay Joshi, Maharaj’s ardent devotee, has donated his household property to the temple. Vinay Joshi organised and participated in an 18-day padayatra to Shegaon from Thane with five other friends/devotees. He is an artist who runs a screen printing business in addition to leading tours of Shegaon and other religious sites.

Vinay Joshi created and painted the 2 ½ feet Plaster of Paris idol, which is displayed in his residence “Kalpavruksha” on Ram Maruti Road. Hundreds of devotees pay their respects at this shrine, and one is struck by the man’s selflessness in enlisting the help of several young people to keep them on the right path.

Important Facts About Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon

• Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple is located in Shegaon, Maharashtra.
• Sant Gajanan Maharaj is revered as a reincarnation of Lord Dattatreya and Lord Ganesha.
• Shegaon became famous as a pilgrimage destination because Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj lived there.
• Hindus regard Gajanan Maharaj as a saint with miraculous powers.
• Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj’s origins are unknown throughout history.
• Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj took “Samadhi” in Shegaon. Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple is built on Gajanan Maharaj’s Samadhi in Shegaon.
• Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is the largest temple trust in Vidarbha and is known as the “Pandharpur of Vidarbha”. It draws pilgrims from across Maharashtra.

Best Time to Visit Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

How to Reach Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon

By Air: The closest airport to Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon is Nagpur Airport, which is located in Maharashtra. Travelling to the Shegaon from the airport is relatively easy, the distance from Nagpur airport is about 312 km.

By Rail: The closest railway station to Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegaon is the Shegaon railway station, which is 1.5 kilometres away from Shegaon and provides access to other major cities as well as many other smaller towns across India.

By Road: The nearest big city is Sambhaji Nagar(Aurangabad)which is 225 Km (4 hours journey) from Shegaon. Also from Nagpur, it is about 300 Km from Shegaon which is approximately a 6-hour journey. It is connected to other Indian cities via major National Highways (NH) that originate in the city.

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