Residences

Places of His Life and Work

Entrance to the Darshan Room
where Shree usually stayed *

Veda Mandir in 1987 **
Shree resuscitated the Vedas at this place

Akkalkot – Guru Mandir

Before He was even twenty years old, Shree became head of the Guru Mandir (literally "the temple of a master") in Akkalkot, Maharashtra, India. Shri Balappa Maharaj founded this temple with adjoining residential area in 1901, on behalf of his Master, Shri Swami Samarth. Shree changed the original name, Balappa Math, to Guru Mandir.

As soon as you pass through the entrance gate into the courtyard, a soothing tranquility envelops you. The rooms that Shree once stayed in are to the left; straight ahead you come to the Great Temple.

For visitors, Guru Mandir was more than a temple. The presence of a master is always a blessing to every seeker. Everyone was welcome, regardless of religion or social class. In the presence of a real master, the similarities become apparent, not the differences.

A great concern in Guru Mandir has always been that the approach to God should not be limited to the narrow space of a place of worship, or to certain ceremonies. Rather it be part of your daily life. Thus, in Guru Mandir, devout silence only prevailed at certain times of the day. At other times, visitors came and went, met for religious ceremonies, and hardly anybody left the Math without first having at least a little food or tea.

It was probably not without reason that both Gangadhar Maharaj, Shree’s predecessor, and Shree were married. This showed that one can achieve the highest goal even within a "normal" life.

Events of great holiness happened through Shree in Guru Mandir. Some memorials adorn the places of these events, allowing everyone who is interested to experience the sacredness of the Mandir.

Shree Gajanan Maharaj
in the Darshan Room

Shree in the forecourt of the Guru Mandir

Temple above the crypt of Swami Shivananda in 1987

Shree in the garden of Shivapuri

Entrance to Shree’s living area in 1987

Shivapuri

In 1984, Shree moved to nearby Shivapuri. Although it was only founded in 1954, this place already witnessed extraordinary events.

Shree's father Swami Shivananda had been buried in a crypt there, above which a temple had been built. The crypt still exudes a holiness that makes you sense why Swami Shivananda is considered an embodiment of Lord Shiva.

The first Somayaga after about 2500 years was performed not far from the temple. Today, replicas made of stone have replaced the original fire places. A great pillar rises above a hexagonal pedestal where the main altar of the Somayaga had been. A plaque on each side of the pedestal describes Shree’s work. The attachment of the tip (the Agnijyoti, symbol for the light for the world) completed the pillar in 1975 in the presence of Shree.

The “Sacred Garden” encompasses the Yajnya Pillar and other memorials. With the beauty of its flowers and trees, a harmonious ensemble delights the visitor.

On the opposite side of the road, an Ayurvedic Health Centre was built in memory of Shree's grandfather, Tatyaji Maharaj. Tatyaji was both a great physician and a great sage. Many of the needy sought him out and could be sure to receive help without paying. Shree’s grandson Dr. Purushottam Rajimwale became an Ayurvedic physician like his great-great-grandfather. Today, he serves Shree's work with full dedication thereby following the example of his father Dr. Shreekant Rajimwale (1952-2007).

Shree repeatedly emphasized the great holiness of Shivapuri as a place of celestial beings and divine powers, a place of great purity over which the Pleiades radiate. Not least, however, the ground of Shivapuri was sanctified by the presence of Param Sadguru Shree Gajanan Maharaj.

Shree:“The dust touched by the feet of a fully-realized incarnation of the Almighty remains holy for thousands of years, even if touched by an extremely unholy person. In the same manner, His utensils maintain their Holiness under all circumstances, even if touched by another person.” ^{1, S.65}

Today, Shivapuri has become a place of pilgrimage, attracting thousands of visitors every year. It showcases the application and effects of the Fivefold Path in different areas such as education, health, agriculture, etc. Introductions to Agnihotra and the Fivefold Path are provided free of charge. For further information, please visit: vishwafoundation.com and paramsadguru.vishwafoundation.com