Shegaon Gajanan Maharaj Temple

Introduction to Gajanan Maharaj Temple

Gajanan Maharaj Temple is situated in Shegaon, Maharashtra. Sant Gajanan Maharaj is revered as the incarnation of Dattatreya, Shirdi Sai Baba, and Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot. Shegaon is considered a pilgrimage center, as Sant Gajanan Maharaj lived there for many years. His miraculous spiritual power saved many souls from severe diseases and deaths.

History of Gajanan Maharaj Temple

The Gajanan Maharaj Temple was built to honor the holy saint Sant Gajanan Maharaj, who was famous worldwide. He lived in the early twentieth century. Gajanan Maharaj spent most of his lifetime at Shegaon. He took Samadhi on September 8, 1910 (Rishi Panchami). The temple history says that Gajanan Maharaj suggested the temple's location in 1908.

The Gajanan Maharaj Temple was constructed on his Samadhi. Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is the largest temple trust in the Vidarbha region. So, it is called "Pandharpur of Vidarbha."

The Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan (Institution) Temple Trust manages the temple's administration. Patil's family members, as Managing Trustees, head the Trust. It involves many medical, educational, religious, and spiritual services. Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering is a famous Engineering College in Vidarbha run by the Trust.

Who is Gajanan Maharaj?

Gajanan Maharaj appeared for the first time in Shegaon on February 23, 1878. His radiant face attracted two gentlemen named Damodar and Bankat Lal. They saw that Gajanan was eating the leftover food from the plates. Later, the saint drank water, which was kept for cattle. Bankat Lal was astonished about his magical powers.

Maharaj performed miracles for the people of Shegaon, like transforming salt water into sweet water and healing sick persons with his holy touch. He used to chant the Bhajan "Gani Gan Ganat Bote," and hence, his devotees started calling him Gajanan Maharaj. People believe that Gajan Maharaj is present in the Gajanan Maharaj Temple even today.

The Architecture of Gajanan Maharaj Temple

The Gajanan Maharaj Temple is the first temple built on origami shapes with sustainable material. Its architecture is a blend of both traditional and model architecture. Architect Mr. Ashish Balkrishna Sheth (Savvy Architects & Interior Designers Pune) designed this beautiful temple.

The temple's complex is large. Sant Gajanan Maharaj's Samadhi is the main temple in the Gajanan Maharaj Temple. There are separate shrines for Ram, Sita, Hanuman, and Shiva. The sanctum (Garbhagriha) has the holy Paduka of Gajanan Maharaj. The temple's hall has beautiful carvings that depict different scenarios of Maharaj's life. There are separate prayer halls for devotees to sit, meditate, and participate in religious ceremonies.

Gajanan Maharaj Temples are also found in Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad, Indore, Ahmedabad, Belgaum, Ratnagiri, Balsad, Goa and Malkapur in India. Many of his temples are found worldwide.

Festivals in Gajanan Maharaj Temple

Gajanan Maharaj Punyatithi, Palkhi Sohala, Ram Navami, Guru Purnima, and Dussehra are grandly celebrated in the Gajanan Maharaj Temple.

Maharaj's procession takes place every Thursday. He will be out in a palanquin around the area. During the Aarti hours, people see two old elephants roaming around the temple premises.