Audumbar is known for the shrine of Dattatraya held in high reverence. It is said to have been built in honour of Nar-sirhha Sarasvati who was a great saint and who is supposed to be the incarnation of Dattatraya. His greatness has been extolled in Guru Charitra written by Sarasvati Gangadhar. Narsimha was born of a poor Brahman couple, Madhava and Amba, in about 1304.

After his thread ceremony he left on a holy pilgrimage and on its completion came to Audumbar on the banks of the Krushna to engross himself secretly in religious mortification during the Caturmasa. At this time it so happened that a Brahman’s son who was dull−witted, overcome with shame at the remarks passed by the people in this regard, went to Bhuvanesvari temple on the opposite bank of the Krushna and prayed for three days and nights without taking any food. But the goddess remained unmoved by his severe penance upon which he cut off his tongue and laid it at Her feet. Taking pity the goddess advised him to go to Audumbar and pray Narsirhha. The boy taking the command went to Narsirhha and falling at his feet received the blessings of the sage. The identity of the saint having been known, thousands of people began to flock to the place for darshan.
At the end of Chaturmasa, when the sage prepared to leave, the people requested him to stay. He only left his padukas under audumbar tree over which a small shrine was erected by a devotee from Poona who also built a dharmashala.
The outer mandap is of very recent construction. The shrine is situated at a lovely spot on the banks of the Krushna and in turn commands a splendid view of the river. There is some striking scenery around. It is associated with the visits of Eknath Maharaj and Janardan Swami, the noted saints of Maharastra and that of Brahmanand Svami who came from the Girnar Mountain, built a math in 1826 and finally took his samadhi.
A splendid ghat has. Been constructed on the river by the temple−side. It was built by the disciples of Sahajanand Maharaj, a follower of Brahmanand Swami at the orders of their guru. So potent are supposed to be the divine powers of the deity that if persons possessed by spirits are kept in the premises for a few days they are completely cured. On the opposite bank is the shrine of Bhuvanesvari. The idol is of black flint-stone and is exquisitely sculptured. This place is overgrown with audumbar trees and hence the name.
Audumber with similar respect as that of other places of Lord Dattatreya like Ganagapur and Narsoba Wadi.

Overview Of The Temple
The Place Where Swamy Left His Padukas For His Devotees.
This is a glory of place where people are blessed by knowledge and are freed from their troubles. This place is 0vergrown with audumbar trees .
As per vision from Lord Dattatreya to Sage Bramhanand of Girnar, he discovered and renowned this divine holy place Audumber where Datta Avatar Nrusinha Saraswati performed Chaturmas Anushtan (Four holy months).
The identity of Nrusimha Saraswathi having been known, thousands of people began to flock to the place for darsan. At the end of Chaturmasa, when the sage prepared to leave, the people requested him to stay.
The outer mandap is of very recent construction. The shrine is situated at a lovely spot on the banks of the Krishna. Devotees can have darshan of Nijaroopa darshan of swamy padukas in the mandir in morning hours. Rudrabhisheka will be performed to padukas at about 7 to 8 a.m. and the padukas will be covered with alankara after abhisheka.
Original Padukas Of Oudumbar Kshetra

Padukas covered with silver kavacha
Paduka Darshan With Alankara In Main Temple
ACCOMODATION:

The Building bhakta nivas near the Temple provides accommodation to piligrims and Pujaris of the temple are also providing accommodation at their residence.

A View Of Bhakta Nivas
As the Audumbar place is very small village, many devotees are staying at Sangli city which is one hour journey to Oudumbar kshetra. AC and Non AC deluxe lodges and many hotels are also available at Sangli to have best stay.
A splendid ghat has been constructed on the river by the temple-side so that they can take a dip in the holy waters of the river Krishna..

Krishna Ghat Near To Temple
For the convenience of the piligrims to visit the other bank of the river
A small boat is also available which is called AVADHOOTA NAUKA.

Maa Bhuvaneswari devi Temple is situated on the other bank of Krishna river where a poor Brahmin boy was blessed. The story goes as follows in adhyaya 17 of Shree Gurucharitra.. . Narasimha was born in a poor Brahman couple, Madhava and Amba, in about 1304. Even After his thread ceremony he could not reciete any of his lessons and so faced a lot of insult from his elders and teachers.
So he left his home and came to Audumbar on the bank of the Krishna and prayed Maa Bhuvaneswari for three days and nights without taking any food.
But the goddess remained unmoved by his severe penance upon which he cut off his tongue and laid it at her feet. Taking pity the goddess advised him to go to Audumbar and pray Narsimha Saraswathy swamy. The boy taking the command and went to Sri guru and falling at his feet. He received the blessings of the Swamy and became a scholar. Blessings from Sree guru at Oudumbar kshetra

Narsobawadi This is located in Maharashtra. Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati lived here for twelve years. The confluence of the two rivers Krushna and Panchaganga occurs here. This is the place which inspired Tembeswami.

Nrusinhawadi commonly known as Narsobawadi or Narsobachi Wadi is a small town in Shirol Tahasil in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. Narsobawadi gets its name from the presence of ‘Shri Nrusinha Saraswati’, the Purna Avatar of Lord Dattatreya.
With much archaeological value, this became a major pilgrim spot for many Shri Dattatreya devotees. Also, there is a confluence of the two rivers Panchganga and Krishna.
Nrusinhawadi is famous for the Hindu temple of Shri Nrusinha Saraswati (Marathi: नृसिंह सरस्वती) (1378–1458) located on the banks of the river Krushna.
Shri Dattatreya in his Nrusinha Saraswati incarnation is believed to have lived here for as long as 12 years. (Ref. Shri Gurucharitra). The life story of Shri Nrusinha Saraswati, his philosophy and related stories are described in Shri Guru Charitra. There are no images or idols here which show his presence. But there are two padukas or slippers which immortalize his great avatar.
Temple’s Daily Schedule:
05.00 Kakad Aarti and Paduka Puja
08.00 to 12.00 Rudrabhishek
12.30 to 13.30 Maha Puja, Aarti
15.00 to 16.00 Pavamana Sookta Parayan
19.30 Dhoop Aarti
20.00 Palkhi
22.00 Shej Aarti
(after the Shej Aarti the temple is closed for devotees)
Vasudevanand Saraswati Maharaj, also known as Tembe Swami, a saint of recent times who is regarded as an incarnation of Dattatreya stayed here for 12 years. The room where Maharaj stayed is near the famous Datta temple which has the padukas of Dattatreya.
Festivals celebrated in Temple
1.Datta Jayanti
2.Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated in the Hindu calendar Pushya month
3.Gopal Kala Utsav is celebrated from Magha Poornima to Phalguna Panchami.
4.Sripada Srivallabha Jayanthi is celebrated in Badrapada Masa on Ganesha Chaturthi Day
5.Dakshin dwar Sohla in which Krishna river water flows from North gate to South gate through temple

Swamy Samarth a great philosophical mentor, divine master, guru and Saint, lived here few centuries back and done years of meditation under a Banyan tree adjacent to which he was cremated after his passed away. This place will be worshipping as most holy place and devotees believe strongly that their prayers in front of Swamy Samartha’s temple abode will be fulfilled by Swamy’s spiritual soul power.
Beautiful arrangements by temple maintaining authorities like wash rooms, shoe storage, water, distributing Prasad ( holy food offering to devotees) etc.
A dias for cultural programs arranged inside temple premises next to Banyan tree.
A must visit place for every Indian philosophical mentor places explorer tourists.
Swami Samarth Maharaj also known as Akkalkot Swami Maharaj is the another incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in this Kaliyuga. His existence in physical form is dated in the nineteenth century AD.

Maharaj first appeared at Akkalkot on a Wednesday around the September�October period in the year 1856 AD near Khandoba Mandir. He stayed in Akkalkot for close to twenty two years. Like all other Datta avatars, his parentage, name, native place, etc., remain obscure to this day.

On the evening of a Tuesday in the month of April 1878, Swami requested his disciples to take him to the Banyan Tree when amidst the singing of Bhajans (Songs in the praise of Lord) Swami sitting in the Padmasana (yogic posture) attained Samadhi.

Sri Kshetra Gangapur, One of the most famous Dattatreya Peethas, is associated with Sri Narasimha Sarasvati Swami, an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya. It stands on the bank of the river Bhima in Afzalpur taluka in Gulbarga district of Karnataka. This Nirguna Math is adorned with the Nirguna Padukas. The water of the rivers Bhima and Amaraja, especially at the spot of their confluence, are considered extremely holy and called as” Bhima-Amarja Sangam.

Shreeguru has been blessing his devotees with his divine acts on countless occasions. The aspirations of Datta devotees who worship him at Ganagapur ksehtra with true love, faith and dedication will be fulfilled. The miraculous experiences of such will ever remain hidden in the devotees own hearts. This is true even today also and devotees are getting experiences of Lord Datta’s present at Ganagapur kshetra. Mentally retarded people, the people who are suffering from chronic deceases are coming to this place and getting cured from their sad feelings. The trouble of spirits and ghosts vanishes and one can get peace of mind with the darshan of Swamy padukas at this kshetra.

There are eight teerthas along the banks of Bhima River from Sangam to Kalleshwar, those are First is Bhima Amarja Sangam Shatakula Teerth teertha- It is like Triveni Sangam of Prayaga and Bath in this teertha Prevents Diseases and Untimely Death Near the Aswatha Tree is Narasimha Teertha – Bath in this Teerth and then worshipping Sangameshwara is like Worshipping Shrishailya Mallikarjuna and this fulfills ones Wishes Northwards is Bhagirathi teertha- Bath in this Teerth is as holy as Bath in Manikarnika Kund at Kashi Eastwards to it is the PapaVinasini Teertha – Bath in this Teerth Destroys all the Sins Eastwards to it is the Koti Teertha – Bath in this Teerth is like taking bath in all the Teerth of Jambu Dweepa Eastwards to it is Rudrapada Teertha – Bath in this teerth is equivalent to a Bath in Gaya Eastward to it is Chakrashwar Teertha –Bath in this teerth is Even More Holy than the Bath in Dwaraka And Manmatha teertha at Kalleshwara – Bath in this Teerth and then worshipping Kalleshwara is like taking bath in Gokarna Teerth and worshipping Mahabaleshwara.

Shri Dattatreya is a very ancient incarnation, highly venerated through the ages. Dattatreya – a Universal Guru manifested in the recess of time of ‘Kaliyug’, when humanity had gone far from its pristine state and steeped into threshold of a time when all kinds of vices had already taken root, and the pious souls made fervent appealed for the salvage of the mankind surging forward in manifold way. He had descended on this earth to establish ‘Satya’ (the Universal Truth), ‘Rta’ (the Cosmic Order), Dharma’, (the perennial principles), in all its entirety.

Seer Atri was one of such Seers who had ‘seen’ and experienced the Brahman, the eternal Wisdom. To him was born a son, the product of the Grace or the Divine Will, which was the manifestation of all three Primal Energies of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He was ordained with the three energies; He came to have the concentrated wisdom of the three God-heads or symbolically three heads. The three heads signified as Brahma:‘Tejas’ personified, Vishnu:‘Ojas’ personified, Shiva: ‘Tapas’ personified. Under these heads, illumination of knowledge, vigorosity of action and stringency of penance were represented as three aspects or state of being of the same.

Birth: Dattatreya had descended into the realm of world as progeny of Atri and Anusuya, a sage couple of the Vedic age. Anusuya became very famous for her devotion to her husband. She was the embodiment of chastity. Such was her spiritual power that hard, uneven earth turned soft and smooth for her as she walked about. This pious woman induced jealousy and envy in others, however, and the three Gods decided to prove these doubting elements how wrong they were.

They transformed themselves into mendicants, approached the hermitage of sage Atri and begged for alms. At that time sage Atri was away at the river offering his daily oblations. Anusuya came out and offered food to them. They made a strange request; the food is prepared and served to them by Anusuya, in the nude. In the Indian tradition any ‘athithi’ (guest) cannot be turned away, as they are considered to be an aspect of God. Hence she was placed in a dilemma. She smiled to herself and reflected thus: ‘I am totally purified by the long association with the holy sage Atri. What harm can the god of lust ever do to me?         So I do fear nothing. As they have sought food from my hands, I look upon them as my own children and not as strangers and grown up men!’ Her thoughts – the thoughts of a pious and chaste person – instantly became reality; the elderly guests became babies!

Sage Atri on his return to the hermitage saw his wife Anusuya fondling three babies. Anusuya said “These children are the gift of God to us who have been childless so far”. Sage Atri was overjoyed and named them Datta, which means ‘given’. At this the three Gods reverted to their real forms and disclosed the truth. They extolled the power of chastity and purity of Anusuya which vanquished the combined and colossal powers of all three of them. Sage Atri and Anusuya prayed that they should remain as their sons. They consented and the three Gods merged into one body.

This is how Shri Dattatreya incarnated and is known as Gurudeva Datta – the Guru of all Gurus.

Ganagapura is a kshetra (place of pilgrimage) associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, the second incarnation of Dattatreya. According to the book Shri GuruCharitra, he promised that he would abide forever at Ganagapura. In the morning, he would bathe at the confluence of the Bhima and Amarja rivers. At midday, he would go through the village asking for bhiksha (alms of food), and accept pooja offerings in the form of Nirguna Paduka at the temple. Devotees believe that by bathing at the confluence between 3.30 am to 4.30 am (brahma muhurtham ), studying the Shri GuruCharita book for 7 days (sapthaha, the chapters would be spread across 7 days) at the odumbara tree ( Fig tree) at the confluence, by begging (Maadhukari) from at least five houses for 7 days in Ganagapura, and by offering Paduka Pooja at the temple, they can experience the living presence (darśana) of Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami, and be freed from sins and granted wishes.

Renuka ma temple at Mahur, Nanded 

Renuka ma temple at mahur, nanded

 Mahur is said to be the birthplace of goddess renuka and lord dattatreya. renuka mata is mother of lord parshuram (sixth avatar of lord vishnu). so the important temple in this place are renuka temple, lord dattatreya temple and anusaya temple. dattatreya was born to anusaya and sage atri. this temple is considered a full shakti peeth temple.Mahur or Mahurgad is a town and religious place in Nanded district of Maharashtra, India.[1] Mahur is the birthplace of Hindu God Dattatreya.[2] Dattatreya parents Atri Rishi and Sati Anasuya Mata lived here. Brahmadev, Vishnudev and Lord Shiva once got a news about Anusaya Mata that there is no one more pious and pure as her. To test her piousness they arrived under the garb of asking Alm (bhiksha). Near Mahur, There is a Pious confluence of River Penganga and River Pus at Hiwara Sangam village, Tal. Mahagaon Vidarbha, from where the river flows northward. Penganga river forms a border between Vidarbha and Marathwada. Mahur falls just about 3kms inside Marathwada due to river bank. There are three mountains in Mahur. The first one is having Renuka Mahar devi mata Temple, who is mother of the god Parshuram. Other two are called Datta Shikhar and Atri Anasuya Shikar Temples.

 Datta Shikhar is highest of all. Mahur has a sacred temple to Renuka Mata, which is considered one of the three and half Shakti Peethas (temples) in the state. A big fair is held here every year on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

Sahasrarjun attacked Renuka Mahar Devi while somewhere in today’s Telangana, for he wanted to grab the sacred Kamdhenu cow — this cow has the divine power to fulfill wishes. When Renuka Mahar Devi refused to him that saying asking gift of your own choice by the guest visitor is uncalled. He attacked her & injured her. She dies in this & when Lord Parshuram knew about it, he went berserk. Then the elderly people pacified him & asked him to do the last rites in Mahur under Dattatreya’s guidance. Then he was told by him that Mahar devi Renuka Mata will appear on first mountain for you to worship. This became the famous Mahar Devi Renuka Mata temple. The “Matru Tirth” (means sacred place for Mother’s worship) Place on this Mountain is the one which is where today stands a lake, is “Antyeshti Sthan” (Means place where last rites were performed).There are many other temples in Mahur like Rishi Jamdagni Mahar Temple, Lord Parshuram Mahar Temple, Kalika Mata Temple, Devdevshwar Temple, and also the Caves called Pandav Leni. There is Fort in Mahur. This was built by Gond kingdom of Chandrapur. This fort is quite large, but very few visitors travel inside. all these shakti peeth temples are specially visited by devotees during navratri festival. pray to maa with sincere heart for her blessings. happy journey.

Mahur

1.Mahur or Mahurgad is a town and religious place in Nanded district of Maharashtra, India. Mahur is the birthplace of Hindu God Dattatreya. Dattatreya parents Atri Rishi and Sati Anasuya Mata lived here. Brahmadev, Vishnudev and Lord Shiva once got a news about Anusaya Mata that there is no one more pious and pure as her. To test her piousness they arrived under the garb of asking Alm (bhiksha). Near Mahur, There is a Pious confluence of River Penganga and River Pus at Hiwara Sangam village, Tal. Mahagaon Vidarbha, from where the river flows northward. Penganga river forms a border between Vidarbha and Marathwada. Mahur falls just about 3kms inside Marathwada due to river banks.

2.There are three mountains in Mahur. The first one is having Renuka Mahar devi mata Temple, who is mother of the god Parshuram. Other two are called Datta Shikhar and Atri Anasuya Shikar Temples. Datta Shikhar is highest of all. Mahur has a sacred temple to Renuka Mata, which is considered one of the three and half Shakti Peethas (temples) in the state. A big fair is held here every year on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

3.Sahasrarjun attacked Renuka Mahar Devi while somewhere in today’s Telangana, for he wanted to grab the sacred Kamdhenu cow — this cow has the divine power to fulfill wishes. When Renuka Mahar Devi refused to him that saying asking gift of your own choice by the guest visitor is uncalled. He attacked her & injured her. She dies in this & when Lord Parshuram knew about it, he went berserk. Then the elderly people pacified him & asked him to do the last rites in Mahur under Dattatreya’s guidance. Then he was told by him that Mahar devi Renuka Mata will appear on first mountain for you to worship. This became the famous Mahar Devi Renuka Mata temple. The “Matru Tirth” (means sacred place for Mother’s worship) Place on this Mountain is the one which is where today stands a lake, is “Antyeshti Sthan” (Means place where last rites were performed).

4.There are many other temples in Mahur like Rishi Jamdagni Mahar Temple, Lord Parshuram Mahar Temple, Kalika Mata Temple, Devdevshwar Temple, and also the Caves called Pandav Leni.[citation needed] There is Fort in Mahur. This was built by Gond kingdom of Chandrapur. This fort is quite large, but very few visitors travel inside.

https://youtu.be/pMUifCIXC-I

Kinvat taluka, Nanded district, Maharashtra.

Shri Gurumandir Sansthan
Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Gurumaharaj Janmasthan
Karanja, Distt. Washim, Maharashtra, INDIA 444105

Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj is the second incarnation of Lord Shri 

Dattatreya. Shri Nrusimha  Saraswati  Maharaj was born in Karanja, in the late 14th century. His name was Narahari. Madhava and Amba Kale were his parents.  The janmasthan is located just behind the Gurumandir Temple.

 The Childhood and Formative Years

Narahari surprised everyone by uttering the word, ‘om’ imediately after birth. Besides the word ‘om’, he did not develop the ability to speak during the normal formative years. His parents were very worried that the boy might be dumb. Narahari realised the worries of his parents and conveyed to them by sign language that he would have the speaking power after the ‘Upanayan (thread Ceremony)’ and they need not worry but plan his ‘upanayan’ at the right age. The parents felt reassured and at the appropriate age, performed the ‘upanayan sanskar’. To the surprise of all, when as a part of the ‘sanskar’, Narhari came to his mother for ‘bhiksha’ and the mother gave the first fistful of ‘bhiksha’, Narhari recited ‘Rigveda’ in clear tone. At the second fistful from his mother, Narhari recited ‘yajurveda’ and then the remaining two vedas. All elders and the ‘purohits’ who were present were convinced that Narahari had divine qualities. They bowed before him with reverence.

A year after the ‘upanayan sanskar’, young Narahari left for ‘Uttar Yatra (pilgrimage)’ and enroute, he took ‘Sanyas-Diksha’ at Kashi (Varanasi) . He was thereafter named ‘Nrusimha Saraswati’.

The Sainthood Years

Shri Nrusimha Saraswati spent most of his life in the Krishna-Bhima basin, which today comprises the tri-state region of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He had divine powers and the common people from all walks of life experienced his divine abilities over a long period. He had many disciples and his work in vitalising the ‘Sanatan Vedic Dharma’ was remarkable. He rigorously practised the ‘vedic’ rituals in his daily life.

Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Maharaj is truly regarded as one of the great pioneers of ‘Guru-Parampara’. He preached and convinced the total devotion and unflinching faith in one’s `Guru’ as the surest path to attaining ‘moksha’.

Karanja, Narsobachiwadi, Ganagapur, Oudumber, are some of the prominent places where Shri Nrusimha Saraswati stayed and preached his disciples. He ended his ‘avatar-karya’ at Shri Shailyam in Andhra Pradesh by wading into the great Krishna River. He told his disciples that some flowers would come back from the river at the place where he entered the river. Exactly as he told, the flowers came and the disciples took them back as ‘Prasad-pushpa’.

His life spanned over the late 14^th century and greater part of 15^th century AD. The ‘Guru-Parampara’ continues ever after.

3. Karanja

Karanja is famous for its Nrusimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj temple. Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Gurumaharaj is the second avatar (incarnation) of Lord Dattatreya. Born in Karanja in 1378, he traveled far and wide in what is now known as the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He achieved Sainthood and performed several miracles. He imparted spiritual knowledge to his disciples, many of whom themselves attained Sainthood. The Gurumandir Temple conducts several major events to celebrate the various avatars of Lord Dattatreya. Over the past 100 years, Gurumandir has become a nucleus for religious and social welfare activities in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region.

Other old temples are Vitthal mandir, Chote Ram mandir and as well as famous “Kannao Ram mandir”. Each year Ramnavami and other Hindu religious activities are performed in these temples.

https://youtu.be/jhaJTzJppg8

The birthplace of Shri Nrusinha Sarasvati. It is known as Lad – Karanje. Brahmanand Sarasvati of Kashi first built a temple of Deity Datta here.

Gajanan Maharaj was an Indian Hindu guru, saint and mystic. His origins remain uncertain. He first appeared at Shegaon, a village in Buldhana district, Maharashtra as a young man at age of 30 probably during 23 February 1878. He attained Sanjeevana Samadhi on September 8, 1910; which is thought to be a process of voluntary withdrawal from one’s physical body. This date of his Samadhi is commemorated every year as part of the Shree Punyatithi Utsav. The date of his first appearance is considered an auspicious day and is celebrated as Prakat Din Sohla.
The early life details of Gajanan Maharaj remain obscure and his date of birth also is unknown. He is believed to have made his first appearance during February 1878 at Shegaon.
One of his biographies known as Shree Gajanan Maharaj Charitra-Kosh was authored by Dasbhargav or Bhargavram Yeodekar, a native of Shegaon. The biography mentions various versions of Gajanan Maharaj’s origins. While at Nashik, Dasbhargav is thought to have met a contemporary saint known as Swami Shivanand Saraswati who was speculated to be of 129 years of age at the time. According to Shivanand he was a Brahmin who had previously met Gajanan Maharaj during 1887 at Nashik. He informed Dasbhargav about the period when Gajanan Maharaj appeared in Shegaon where he lived for the remainder of his life. He claimed to have made around 25 to 30 number of visits to Gajanan Maharaj during this period. Shivanand Swami also declared that he would often visit Dadasaheb Khaparde, a resident at Amravati and stay with his family at their residence during these visits. It is claimed that Shivanand Swami later travelled to the Himalayas and was never seen again (according to pages 362–365 of the aforementioned biography that details the conversation between Dasbhargav and Shivanand Swami). It is also believed that Shivanand Swami may have been a former resident at Sajjangad, Maharashtra, also where the prominent 17th-century saint and philosopher Samarth Ramdas lived for many years. Gajanan Maharaj was an ardent user of marijuana and hashish which is exemplified in almost all available images in the public domain from the time of his attaining samadhi.Even the temple premises where he attained samadhi had a smoking choola as a symbolic representation.
Another biography of Gajanan Maharaj known as Shree Gajanan Vijay was composed by Das Ganu who was born at Akolner. Das Ganu who was initially named Narayan by his maternal relatives had at some point moved to Ahmednagar, Maharashtra where his father had been a care-taker of a property. He was later renamed as Ganesh and his grandfather often called him Ganu, a shorter version of his name. When he arrived at Pandharpur, Das Ganu was contacted by a resident at Shegaon, Ramchandra Krishnaji Patil who was also a devotee of Gajanan Maharaj. He advised Das Ganu to write a biography on Gajanan Maharaj.
It is believed that he had once visited Nashik, Maharashtra and the surrounding pilgrimage sites including Kapiltirtha. He lived at Kapiltirtha for around 12 years.[5] Contemporaries of Gajanan Maharaj identified him by several names such as Gin Gine Buwa, Ganpat Buwa, and Awaliya Baba.
According to his biography Shree Gajanan Vijay, Gajanan Maharaj used to consider a few other spiritual personalities such as Narasingji, Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembhe Swami Maharaj) and Sai Baba of Shirdi as brothers. Gajanan Maharaj appeared as the Hindu deity Vitthala in Pandharapur for his one devotees Bapuna Kale. He also appeared as Samarth Ramdas for another devotee.
There are some similarities between Gajanan Maharaj and Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, another Hindu guru and mystic. They both were Paramahans and AjanBahu. They represent different forms taken from the same source .
He is regarded as an enlightened being.[citation needed] He received a significant following in Maharashtra and thousands visit the Shegaon temple every year. According to the Shree Gajanan Vijay, he was an exponent of three streams of Yoga i.e. Karma, Bhakti and Gyan Yoga.
Appearances and divine powers
According to a legend, a money lender named Bankat Lal Agarwal first saw Gajanan Maharaj in a “superconscious state” on 23 February 1878 on a street, eating leftover food which was thrown (and thus spreading the message of food is life and food should not be wasted). Sensing him to be not an ordinary man who needs food to eat but a Yogi, Bankat took him home and asked Maharaj to stay with him. In his lifetime, he performed many miracles such as giving a fresh lease on life to one Janrao Deshmukh, lighting the clay-pipe without fire, filling a dry well with water, drawing sugar cane juice by twisting canes with his hands, curing leprosy of a man, curing himself of the many bites of honey bees, etc. Some of the above acts are because Shri Gajanan Maharaj knew Yoga Shastra on his own admission in the book by Shri Das Ganu Maharaj.
During a public meeting on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti, the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak met Gajanan Maharaj. When Tilak delivered a charismatic speech, Maharaj predicted that Tilak would get a very harsh sentence by the British Raj. Maharaj’s words did come true, however, Tilak is said to have taken blessings of Maharaj and his Prasad which helped him in writing his book – Shrimadh Bhagvad Gita Rahasya, which is the summarised version of the holy book of Hindus, the Bhagavad Gita.
Shree Gajanan Maharaj took Samadhi on 8 September 1910. His earthly remains were buried and a temple in his name is built on his Samadhi at Shegaon. Maharaj was prescient and had predicted his time on this earth was close to getting over. His devotees had started building the temple in his honour for some time before his Samadhi-din. In fact, his Samadhi mandir is just below the temple of Shri Ram. It is said that Shri Gajanan Maharaj would routinely worship at the temple of Shri Ram during his lifetime. Shri Gajanan Maharaj was fond of smoking ganja in his chilam and is supposed to have also started a dhooni (loosely meaning hearth, but representing a glowing chilum[check spelling]) during his lifetime. The dhooni is still burning and is located very near the Samadhi mandir. At the time when he filled a dry well with water, the saint who had denied him water, saying all wells here are dry, Shri Bhaskar Maharaj Jayle, later went on to become his big devotee. Bhaskar Maharaj’s grandson, Shri Vasudeva Maharaj Jayle was also a great devotee of Gajanan Maharaj, whose Shraddhasagar Ashram in Akot is a spiritual place for devotees in nearby areas.

Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan
In the presence of Gajanan Maharaj, Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, a body of 12 trustees was formed on 12 September 1908 so as to commemorate the holy place which Maharaj had hinted Ya Jagi Rahil Re (It will be at this place) about his place and day for Samadhi. Shri Gajanan Maharaj Mandir is located below the temple of Shri Ram. In the same area, there is the place where the Dhooni is burning. Also nearby, the Dhooni is the place where the devotees can see Maharaj’s paduka (wooden sandals), the temple of Vithoba and Rukmini and the temple of Hanuman. There is an umbar tree just near the temple of Hanuman and it is said to have been in existence since the days of Shri Gajanan Maharaj.
Shivshankar Patil is the head of the trust Educational institutions run by the trust are located at Shegaon and are affiliated to Amravati University. These colleges are one of the best institutes for engineering education in the Vidarbha region. The Anand Sagar project for tourists was developed in 2005 by the trust and spans over 650 acres. It is one of the largest amusement places in Maharashtra. Shegaon is on the main line Mumbai-Howrah route. Most of the trains which are going to Howrah stops for around 2–3 minutes at Shegaon.

1. Panchal Eshwar

From Mumbai its 400km travel time approximately 9 hrs

श्री आत्मतीर्थ पांचाळेश्र्वर

स्थान: आपेगाव औरंगाबाद बीड जिल्ह्याच्या सीमेवरून वाहणाऱ्या गोदावरीचे किनारी गेवराई तालुका जि. बीड. (महाराष्ट्र) 
सत्पुरूष: श्री दत्तात्रय प्रभू
विशेष: श्री दत्तप्रभूंचे भोजन स्थान, महानुभाव पंथ पीठ 

श्री आत्मतीर्थ पांचाळेश्र्वर

हे स्थान पांचाळेश्र्वर आत्मतीर्थ महानुभव पंथांचे पवित्र व श्रेष्ठ दत्तस्थान आहे. हे दत्तप्रभुंचे भोजन स्थान. हे स्थान परमपावन गोदावरी नदीच्या दक्षिण किनाऱ्यावर वसलेले आहे. या ठिकाणी श्री दत्तप्रभूंची चरणकमले रोज नियमाने लागतात. तेच हे आत्मतीर्थ. येथील कणकण व अणुरेणु श्रीप्रभुंच्या पदस्पर्शाने पावन झालेला आहे. त्यामुळे प्रत्येक वस्तुला पावित्र्य व इतिहास आहे.

आज गंगातीराच्या परिसरात मध्यभागी असलेल्या श्रीप्रभूंच्या भोजनस्थानी एक भव्य मंदीर बांधण्यात आलेले आहे. त्यामुळे या क्षेत्राचे महत्त्व द्विगुणीत झालेले आहे. हे आत्मतीर्थ स्वयंसिद्ध आहे.

कवि कृष्णदास म्हणतात,

या लागी परमेश्वर चरणांकित । तेमोक्षदायक तीर्थ ॥
तयामाजी आत्मतीर्थ । मुक्ती आणि भुक्तीचे दायक ॥
आत्मतीर्थासम नाही तीर्थ । जे स्मरणमात्रे सर्व पातक क्षयो करी ॥
चोरी, सुरापान मित्रद्रोह । ब्रह्महत्या गुरूद्रोह ॥
आणिक महापातके समूह । जाती आत्मतीर्थी स्नाने ॥
जरी आत्मतीर्थी स्नान घडे । तरी बहु जन्मार्जित पापसंग बिघडे ॥
पुण्यरूप जन्म होय रोकडे । जनामाजी ॥
जे दत्तात्रयांचे निरंतर क्रीडा स्थान । आत्मतीर्थ म्हणिजे महातीर्थ गहन ॥

श्री पांचाळेश्र्वरचे विशेष महत्त्व महानुभावीय दत्तभक्तांना आहे. 

श्री आत्मतीर्थ पांचाळेश्र्वर

पाचांळेश्वर या स्थानास आत्मतिर्थ का म्हणतात ?

जानोपाध्यांना स्वामी या तिर्थाचे महत्त्व सांगताना म्हणतात, “या स्थानाचे महत्त्व वेगळेच आहे. श्रीदत्तात्रय प्रभूचा नित्यसंबंध आहे. श्रीदत्तात्रय प्रभू रोज दुपारी प्रत्यक्ष भोजन स्वीकारण्यासाठी येत असतात. 

पूर्वी त्रेतायुगात कुसुमावती नगरीत देवश्रवा नावाचे ऋषी राहत होते. त्यांना आत्मऋषी नावाचा पुत्र होता. देवश्रव्यानेअतिशय भावपूर्वक उपासना करून श्रीदत्तात्रय प्रभूनां प्रसन्न केल्यामुळे ते त्याच्या घरी प्रगट झाले. देवश्रवा श्रीदत्तात्रय प्रभूच्या भजनपूजनात मग्न असताना त्याच्या शिष्य पाचांळराजा आपल्या गुरूच्या भेटीला आला असता त्याला तेथे श्रीदत्तात्रय प्रभूंचे दर्शन झाले.

देवश्रव्याने अतिशय भावपूर्वक उपासना करुन, विनवुन श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूनां पंचाळेश्वरला आपल्या राजसदनी आणले. पाचांळराजाने श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूनां राजसिहांसनी बसवून त्याचीं षोडशोपचारे पूजा केली. आणि अनेक प्रकारची स्तुतीस्तवन करुन त्यानीं श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूनां विनंती केली, “हे आर्तदानी भक्तवत्सला माझी सगळी चितां नष्ट करुन माझा पुनर्जन्म चुकवावा.”

“हे धर्मशील राजा, आम्हाला तुझ्या हातून काही महत्वपूर्ण कार्य करवून घ्यायचे आहे. त्यानंतर मात्र आम्ही तुला चिरायुपद प्राप्त करुन देवू. तोपर्यंत राज्यवैभवाचा उपभोग घे” असे आश्वासन देवुन श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभू तेथून निघून गेले. त्याच काळात पुलस्ती ऋषींच्या कुभं आणि निकुभं या पुत्रद्वयानीं अतिशय धुमाकूळ घातला होता. ते कोणालाच जुमेनासे झाले. राजाचां पराभव करुन ते नगरेच्या नगरे उध्वस्त करीत होते. ऋषीमुनीचें तर ते जणु कर्दनकाळच होते. तेव्हा अंबानगरीत वासतव्यास असलेल्या देवश्रवापुत्र आत्मऋषीला कुभ-ंनिकुंभाची ही दुषकृत्ये पाहुन फार राग आला. ते पंचाळेश्वरास जाउन गाऱ्हाणे करीत पाचांळराजाला म्हणाले, “हे प्रतापसूर्या, तरी तू या राक्षसबंधूचा समाचार घे.”

श्री क्षेत्र पांचाळेश्वर- दत्त महाराज रोज येथे मध्यांन भोजन करतात

पाचांळराजाने आत्मऋषीच्यां निवेदनानुसार आणि श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूच्यां आदेशानुसार कुभं-निकुंभाशी घनघोर युध्द करुन त्यानां ठार मारले. जनता व ऋषीमुनी भयमुक्त झाले. परंतु, कुभं-निकुभं दैत्य असले तरी पुलस्तीचे पुत्र असल्याने आपणास ब्रह्महत्येचे पातक लागले असे पाचांळराजाच्या मनात विकल्प उभा राहीला. तेव्हा आत्मऋषीने धावा करुन श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूनां प्रसन्न केले. श्रीदतात्रेय प्रभू तेथे प्रगट झाल्यानंतर पाचांळराजा विनंती करीत म्हणाला, “हे प्रभो, पुलस्तकुलाचे नाश करण्याचे महापाप माझ्या हातून घडले आहे. तरी मला या ब्रह्महत्येच्या दुर्धर पापातून मुक्त करावे.”

श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभू पाचांळराजाला अभय देत म्हणाले, “राजा, घाबरु नकोस. आम्ही तुला या पातकातुन मुक्त करुन आमचे अक्षयपद प्रदान करु. तरी धनुष्य सज्ज करुन पाताळातून अग्रोदक काढ.” पाचांळराजाने बाण मारुन पाताळातून पाणी काढले. आत्मऋषीने त्या उदकाने श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूचें श्रीचरण प्रक्षाळण केले व ते चरणोदक पाचांळराजास दिले. ते प्राशन केल्याने पाचांळराजा ब्रह्महत्येच्या पातकातून मुक्त झाला त्यामुळे त्या तीर्थास आत्मतीर्थ असे म्हटले जाते.
                 
पाचांळराजाला पापमुक्त करुन श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभु प्रयाण करणार तितक्यात आत्मऋषींनी श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभूचें श्रीचरणकमल घट्ट धरुन विनंती केली. “देवाधिदेवा दयासागरा, आपण रोज दुपारचे भोजन आपण या आत्मतीर्थावर येऊन स्विकारावे .माझ्या लेकराचा एवढा लळा पुरवावाजी.”
श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभु प्रसन्नतापूर्वक ‘तथास्तु’ म्हणूण निघून गेले. आत्मऋषींच्या विनंतीला मान देऊन श्रीदत्तात्रेय प्रभू तेव्हापासून आजतागायत रोज भोजनासाठी आत्मतीर्थी येत असतात. त्यामुळे त्याच्यां नित्यसंबंधाने ते स्थान विशेषच वंदनीय झाले आहे. 

History and greatness of the temple of Shri Panchal Eshwar at Shrikshetra Rakshasbhuvan

The panchaleshwar temple is situated at Shrikshetra Rakshasbhuvan in Gevrai taluka in Beed District of Maharashtra in the basin of river Godavari. Shri Narsinha Saraswati has referred to about this place in the Gurucharitra. It is believed that Shri Dattaguru visits this place for lunch, in the subtle, every day. As Chakradhar Swami has performed penance for some time here, this is a famous place of worship of the Mahanubhav sect.

भाग-१२|#श्रीदत्त_चरित्र|आत्मतीर्थ येथे श्रीदत्तप्रभु दररोज भोजना साठी का येतात?

Materialised (sagun) form of Deity AnnapurnaA singleheaded idol of Deity DattaShri

Datta padukas

A rare Datta yantra attracting the non-materialised (nirgun) Datta Principle

तुम्हासहित औदुंबर । आमुच्या पादुका मनोहर ।

पूजा करिती जे तत्पर । मनकामना पुरती जाणा ॥

Take Darshan of the blissful Deity Datta giving us happiness !

1. Panchaleshwar is Dattatreya’s seat for lunch

I am a trustee here and having been serving here since childhood. This is the place where Dattatreya eats lunch. He bathes at Kashi, asks for alms at Kolhapur and eats at Panchaleshwar.

2. This village has derived its name from King Panchal

Obliging the request of King Panchal and Sage Atma, every day Dattatreya comes here for lunch at noon. Dattatreya has granted the king and the sage a boon that as long as the universe exists He shall come here daily for a meal. It is from the king’s name that this village has been named s Shrikshetra Panchaleshwar. From the name of Sage Atma this place is called ‘Atmateerth’.

Panchaleshwar at Shrikshetra Rakshasbhuvan

श्री पांचाळेश्र्वरश्री आत्मतीर्थ पांचाळेश्र्वर मंदिर 

Shri Dattaguru visits this place for lunch, in the subtle, every day. As Chakradhar Swami has performed penance for some time here, this is a famous place of worship of the Mahanubhav sect.

भाग-१२|#श्रीदत्त_चरित्र|आत्मतीर्थ येथे श्रीदत्तप्रभु दररोज भोजना साठी का येतात?

The panchaleshwar temple is situated at Shrikshetra Rakshasbhuvan in Gevrai taluka in Beed District of Maharashtra in the basin of river Godavari. Shri Narsinha Saraswati has referred to about this place in the Gurucharitra. It is believed that Shri Dattaguru visits this place for lunch, in the subtle, every day. As Chakradhar Swami has performed penance for some time here, this is a famous place of worship of the Mahanubhav sect.

 https://youtu.be/OyLaXdJFcnE

https://youtu.be/y-2kZdKDyZs  part 1

https://youtu.be/JTuNIPkpAcE   part2

तुम्हासहित औदुंबर । आमुच्या पादुका मनोहर ।

पूजा करिती जे तत्पर । मनकामना पुरती जाणा ॥

Take Darshan of the blissful Deity Datta giving us happiness !

1. Panchaleshwar is Dattatreya’s seat for lunch

I am a trustee here and having been serving here since childhood. This is the place where Dattatreya eats lunch. He bathes at Kashi, asks for alms at Kolhapur and eats at Panchaleshwar.

2. This village has derived its name from King Panchal

Obliging the request of King Panchal and Sage Atma, every day Dattatreya comes here for lunch at noon. Dattatreya has granted the king and the sage a boon that as long as the universe exists He shall come here daily for a meal. It is from the king’s name that this village has been named s Shrikshetra Panchaleshwar. From the name of Sage Atma this place is called ‘Atmateerth’.

3. Divine play of Dattatreya, Govind Prabhu and Chakradharswami here

Govindprabhu Maharaj took renunciation from Panchalingi and came here. Chakradharswami too met Dattatreya here. Dattatreya, Govindprabhu and Chakradharswami performed Divine play here.

4. Spiritual significance

With the grace of Dattatreya when an individual affected with possession, black magic and mental distress comes here and performs seva with dedication he recovers within a month. People come here from far and wide and render seva and feel content.

5. Festivals celebrated here

On Chaitra Krushna paksha 7 there is a palanquin procession and a religious fair here. Religious functions are also held here. Dattajayanti, Shrikrushnajayanti and the birthday of the omniscient Chakradharswami are celebrated here.Seven days before Dattajayanti there is a celebration. The birthday of Dattatreya is on the fourteenth day of the Hindu lunar fortnight (chaturdashi). A procession is held on full moon day (pournima) and the celebrations end. My personal experience is that with the grace of Datta Maharaj many mentally ill patients get cured.

6. The place where Dattaguru takes a nap after a meal

To the right of Shri Panchaleshwar temple Shri Dattaguru takes a nap after a meal on His left side. A beautiful temple has been constructed here. Around the temple there are swaying trees. The area is well protected. There is a huge entrance to the temple with a room for playing traditional musical instruments.

Sri Sai Baba, one of the foremost saints of modern India, the last avatar (incarnation) of Lord Dattatreya in this age of Kaliyuga.

Sai Baba arrived at the village of Shirdi in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, at about 16 years old. He was revered by both his Muslim and Hindu devotees, and during, as well as after, his life on earth it remained uncertain if he was a Muslim or Hindu himself. Sai Baba stressed the importance of surrender to the guidance of the true Sadguru.

The Ahimsa aspect of Jainism, the renunciation aspect of Buddhism, the Dharmic aspect of Lord Rama the Nishkama-Karma aspect of Lord Krishna, the universal-love aspect of Jesus, the universal brotherhood aspect of Islam-all are found harmoniously blended in Sai Nath’s way of life. He also gave Darshan (vision) to people in the form of Rama, Krishna, Vithoba and many other gods depending on the faith of devotees.The presence of Dhuni (sacred fire) was a temple to the Hindus and the Parsees, the nimbaru (niche) on the western wall made it look like a mosque and to the Christian it was a church where the bells announce prayers. Shri Shirdi Sai Baba attained his “Mahasamadhi” on the auspicious “Vijayadasami” day in 1918.

When Sai Baba came to Shirdi, he used to spend most of his time under a neem tree which is now known as Gurusthan. According to a legend, when some villagers started to dig the land near the tree, Sai Baba asked them to stop as he said it was the resting place of the ancestors. If you ever travel to Shirdi and get a chance to taste a neem leaf fallen from the tree then you will be surprised by its taste. Interestingly, the neem leaves here don’t taste bitter but sweet. It is believed that those who get a chance to have a neem leaf from the tree have a healthy life and suffer from no diseases.

History and greatness of the temple of Shri Saibaba Temple

Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who is regarded by his devotees as a saint and a fakir. He is revered by both his Hindu and Muslim devotees during, as well as after his lifetime.
Sai Baba is now revered as an incarnation of Sri Dattatreya and considered as Saguna Brahma by his devotees. He is attributed to be the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of this universe by his devotees. He is decorated with jewels and all forms of Hindu Vedic deities as he is believed by his followers to be the supreme God.
According to accounts from his life, he preached the importance of realization of the self and criticized love towards perishable things. His teachings concentrate on a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and guru. He stressed the importance of surrender to the true Satguru, who, having trod the path to divine consciousness, will lead the disciple through the jungle of spiritual training
Sai Baba also condemned distinction based on religion or caste. It remains unclear if he was a Muslim or a Hindu. This, however, was of no consequence to Sai Baba. His teachings combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque in which he lived, practiced both Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and took samadhi in Shirdi. One of his well-known epigrams, Allah Malik (God is King) and Sabka Malik Ek (Everyone’s Master is One), is associated with both Hinduism and Islam. He is also known to have said Look to me, and I shall look to you[4] and Allah tera bhala Karega.
Background
Sai Baba’s date of birth including his birthplace remains unknown and is debatable due to lack of evidence and no definitive information exists to prove it. Most definitive information about Shirdi Sai Baba tends to be derived from a book called Shri Sai Satcharitra written by a disciple called Hemadpant (also known as Annasaheb Dabholkar / Govind Raghunath) in 1922 in Marathi.[8] The book itself is a compilation based on accounts by his various disciples and Hemadpant’s personal observations observing Sai Baba from 1910 onwards.
Sai Baba’s real name remains unknown. The name Sai was given to him by Mhalsapati when he arrived at Shirdi, a town now in the west Indian state of Maharashtra. The word Sai refers to a religious mendicant but can also mean God. In several Indian and Middle Eastern languages, the term Baba is an honorific signifying grandfather, father, old man, or sir. Thus Sai Baba denotes holy father, saintly father, or (venerable) poor old man.
Some of Sai Baba’s disciples became famous as spiritual figures and saints, such as Mahalsapati, a priest of the Khandoba temple in Shirdi, and Upasni Maharaj. He was revered by other saints as well, such as Saint Bidkar Maharaj, Saint Gagangiri Maharaj, Saint Janakidas Maharaj, and Sati Godavari Mataji. Sai Baba referred to several saints as ‘my brothers’, especially the disciples of Swami Samartha of Akkalkot.
Early years
Sai Baba (right) and some of his devotees at Dwarakamai, his own temple.
Sai Baba with some devotees
Although Sai Baba’s origins are unknown, some indications exist that suggest that he was born not far from Shirdi. Historical researches into genealogies in Shirdi give support to the theory that Baba could have been born with the name Haribhau Bhusari. Baba was notorious for giving vague, misleading, and contradictory replies to questions concerning his parentage and origins, brusquely stating the information was unimportant. He had reportedly stated to a close follower, Mahalsapati, that he has been born of Deshastha Brahmin parents in the village of Pathri and had been entrusted into the care of a fakir in his infancy. On another occasion, Baba reportedly said that the fakir’s wife had left him in the care of a Hindu guru, Venkusa of Selu and that he had stayed with Venkusa for 12 years as his disciple. This dichotomy has given rise to two major theories regarding Baba’s background, with the majority of writers supporting the Hindu background over the Islamic, while others combine both the theories (that Sai Baba was first brought up by a fakir and then by a guru).
Baba reportedly arrived at the village of Shirdi in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, India, when he was about sixteen years old. Although there is no agreement among biographers about the date of this event, it is generally accepted that Baba stayed in Shirdi for three years, disappeared for a year, and returned permanently around 1858, just after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This posits a possible birth year of 1838. He led an ascetic life, sitting motionless under a neem tree and meditating while sitting in an asana. The Sai Satcharita recounts the reaction of the villagers
The people of the village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practicing hard penance, not minding heat or cold. By day he associated with no one, by night he was afraid of nobody.
His presence attracted the curiosity of the villagers and the religiously-inclined such as Mhalsapati, Appa Jogle, and Kashinatha regularly visited him, while others such as the village children considered him mad and threw stones at him. After some time he left the village and it is unknown where he stayed at that time or what happened to him. However, there are some indications that he met with many saints and fakirs and worked as a weaver; he claimed to have fought with the army of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Return to Shirdi
Sai Baba in his usual attire
Sai Baba returned to Shirdi in 1858. He appeared at the Khandoba Mandir in Shirdi. The temple priest, Mahalsapati, upon seeing him for the very first time, welcomed him by saying ‘Aao, Sai!’ (‘Come Sai’). From then on, He was known by the name (Sai Baba).
Around this time he adopted his famous style of dressing, consisting of a knee-length one-piece Kafni robe and a cloth cap. Ramgir Bua, a devotee, testified that Sai Baba was dressed like an athlete and sported ‘long hair flowing down to the end of his spine’ when he arrived in Shirdi and that he never had his head shaved. It was only after Baba forfeited a wrestling match with one Mohiddin Tamboli that he took up the kafni and cloth cap, articles of typical Sufi clothing. This attire contributed to Baba’s identification as a Muslim fakir and was a reason for initial indifference and hostility against him in a predominantly Hindu village.
For four to five years, Baba lived under a neem tree and often wandered for long periods in the jungle around Shirdi. His manner was said to be withdrawn and uncommunicative as he undertook long periods of meditation. He was eventually persuaded to take up residence in an old and dilapidated mosque and lived a solitary life there, surviving by begging for alms and receiving itinerant Hindu or Muslim visitors. In the mosque, he maintained a sacred fire which is referred to as a dhuni, from which he gave sacred ash (‘Udi’) to his guests before they left. The ash was believed to have healing and apotropaic powers. He performed the function of a local hakim and treated the sick by application of ashes. Sai Baba also delivered spiritual teachings to his visitors, recommending the reading of the Ramayan and Bhagavat Gita for Hindus and the Qur’an for Muslims. He insisted on the indispensability of the unbroken remembrance of God’s name (dhikr, and often cryptically expressed himself with the use of parables, symbols, and allegories).
Baba is believed to have grown and cultivated a garden called Lendi Baug, named after a river called Lendi which flowed nearby. The garden continues to be a place visited by pilgrims and has temples, samadhis of people, and animals associated with Shirdi Sai Baba’s life and temples.[26]
In 1910, Sai Baba’s fame began to spread in Mumbai. Numerous people started visiting him because they regarded him as a saint with the power of performing miracles or even as an avatar.[29] They built his first temple at Bhivpuri, Karjat.
Final years and death (Samadhi)
In August 1918, Shirdi Sai Baba told some of his devotees that he would soon be “leaving his mortal body” (dying). Towards the end of September, he had a high fever and stopped eating. As his condition deteriorated, he asked his disciples to recite holy texts to him and continued to meet visitors. On 15 October 1918, he breathed his last. The day coincided with the Hindu calendar date that year for Vijayadashami. His remains were interred at “Buti Wada” in Shirdi, after which it became a place of worship known today as Shree Samadhi Mandir or Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.
Teachings and practices
Shirdi Sai Baba, leaning against the wall of his masjid, with devotees
Sai Baba opposed all persecution based on religion or caste. He was an opponent of religious orthodoxy — Christian, Hindu, and Muslim.
Sai Baba encouraged his devotees to pray, chant God’s name, and read holy scriptures. He told Muslims to study the Qur’an and Hindus to study texts such as the Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and Yoga Vasistha.] He was impressed by the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and encouraged people to follow it in their own lives. He advised his devotees and followers to lead a moral life, help others, love every living being without any discrimination, and develop two important features of character: faith (Shraddha) and patience (Saburi). He criticized atheism.
In his teachings, Sai Baba emphasized the importance of performing one’s duties without attachment to earthly matters and of being content regardless of the situation. In his personal practice, Sai Baba observed worship procedures belonging to Islam; he shunned any kind of regular rituals but allowed the practice of Salah, chanting of Al-Fatiha, and Qur’an readings at Muslim festival times. Occasionally reciting the Al-Fatiha, Baba enjoyed listening to mawlid and qawwali accompanied with the tabla and sarangi twice daily.
Sai Baba interpreted the religious texts of both Islam and Hinduism. He explained the meaning of the Hindu scriptures in the spirit of Advaita Vedanta. His philosophy also had numerous elements of bhakti. The three main Hindu spiritual paths — Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga — influenced his teachings.
Sai Baba encouraged charity and stressed the importance of sharing. He said
Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them with due respect. Sri Hari (God) will certainly be pleased if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but do not bark at him like a dog.”
Worship and devotees
Main article: Shirdi Sai Baba movement
Sai Baba’s Temple in Shirdi
The Mandir Kalasha Of The Samadhi Mandir, Shirdi
The Shirdi Sai Baba movement began in the 19th century, while he was living in Shirdi. A local Khandoba priest, Mhalsapati Nagre, is believed to have been his first devotee. In the 19th century, Sai Baba’s followers were only a small group of inhabitants of Shirdi and a few people from other parts of India.
Because of Sai Baba, Shirdi has become a place of importance and is counted among the major Hindu places of pilgrimage. The first Sai Baba temple is situated at Kudal, Sindhudurg. This temple was built in 1922. It is believed that Sai Baba gave one rupee to Dada Madye Ji with which he built the temple in Kudal.
Today, the Sai Baba Temple in Shirdi is visited by an average of 25,000 pilgrims a day and during religious festivals, this number can reach up to 100,000. The Sai Baba temple in Shirdi is managed by the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust. Inside the temple, the statue of Sai Baba and the Samadhi is carved out of Italian marble and is seen draped with royal cloth, wearing a gold crown and adorned with fresh flower garlands. The interior is made of old stone bricks. The interior, as well as the exterior (cone) of the temple, is covered with gold. As per rituals and traditions dating back to when Baba was still alive, four Aarti‘s are held daily (corresponding to the time of the day) inside the Samadhi Mandir.
• Kakad Aarti (The Morning Aarti) at 4:30 (am)
• Madhyan Aarti (The Afternoon Aarti) at 12:00 (pm)
• Dhup Aarti (The Evening Aarti) 6:30 (pm)
• She Aarti (The Night Aarti) at 10:30 (pm)
The Palanquin procession of Sai Baba takes place every Thursday from the Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamayi, onward to Chavdi, and back to the Sai Baba Mandir. Devotees belonging to all faiths are welcome to take Darshan in the Samadhi Mandir and have free meals in the Prasadalaya, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion as these were one of the ideal principles of Sai Baba.
Sai Baba of Shirdi is especially revered and worshiped in the states of Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. In August 2012, an unidentified devotee, for the first time, donated two expensive diamonds valuing ₹11.8 million at the Shirdi temple, as revealed by Saibaba trust officials.
In recent years, the Shirdi Sai movement has spread to the Caribbean and countries such as Nepal, Canada, United States, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, United Kingdom,[50][51] Germany, France, and Singapore.
Non-discrimination of devotees
A marble statue of Sai Baba.
Baba himself maintained an ambiguous profile, unwilling to identify with either of the two religions. His Muslim devotees were fully convinced that he belonged to their fold, identifying him as an avaliā. The Hindu bhaktas also viewed him as one of them, since he often identified himself with their gods and customs. Sai Baba wanted to belong to all and be shared by all. When pressed on whether he was Hindu or Muslim, he would often get very angry. Once he told a devotee: “You have been with me for eighteen years now. Does Sai mean for you only these three and a half cubits of height?” Sai Baba was able to avoid clashes between the two communities, and, in fact, succeeded in unifying them in an atmosphere of general harmony. In a verse of the midday arti, devotees sing:
In essence or basic principle, there is no difference between Hindu and Muslim. You took birth in the human body to point out this. You look with affection on both Hindus and Muslims. This, Sai, who pervades all, as the soul of all, shows.
Baba would often talk about the Hindu gods, quoting from sacred texts or even commenting upon passages of the Bhagavadgita, the Isha Upanishad, and so forth. The names of Krishna and Rama seem to have been particularly dear to him. With his Muslim followers, Baba would always talk of Allah and the Koran, often quoting Persian verses. One of his favorite expressions was “Allah rakhega via rahena”, that is, “Let us be content with what we have, and submit our will to Allah.” On several occasions, Sai reassured his listeners by saying that he, like them, was but a devotee of Allah, a humble faqir with two arms and two legs. In later years, Parsis and even a few Christians would come to Shirdi. Sai Baba respected all creeds, true to his conviction that all religions are but particular paths leading to one ineffable goal. His notion of the unity of all mankind that appealed to everyone was very congruous with the Sufism of Islam. “God being one and the master of all also meant that all his creatures were part of one big family,” writes Sikand. “This belief was entirely in keeping with … the teachings of Sufis, who believed that the light of God exists in every creature, indeed in every particle of His creation.” Sai Baba urged his Hindu followers to read their holy books and find their own path. For him, all paths were equally valid, “Ishwar” (the Hindu God) and “Allah” being synonymous.
Padukas of sai baba
People coming to his abode were so taken aback to see Hindus, Muslims, and others living together so peacefully that in many instances it changed their entire lives and belief systems.
Miracles
Sai Baba’s disciples and devotees claim that he performed many miracles such as bilocation, levitation, mindreading, materialization, exorcisms, entering a state of Samādhi at will, lighting lamps with water, removing his limbs or intestines and sticking them back to his body (khandana yoga), curing the incurably sick, appearing beaten when another was beaten, preventing a mosque from falling on people, and helping his devotees in other miraculous ways. He also gave Darshan (vision) to people in the form of Sri Rama, Krishna, Vithoba, Shiva, and many other gods depending on the faith of devotees.
According to his followers, he appeared to them in their dreams and gave them advice. His devotees have documented many stories.
Followers
Sai Baba depicted on a tapestry
Sai Baba left behind no spiritual heirs, appointed no disciples, and did not provide formal initiation (Diksha), despite requests. Some of Sai Baba’s notable disciples include Mahalsapathi, Madhav Rao (Shama), Nanasaheb Peshwa, Bayijabai, Tatya Kote Patil, Kakasaheb Dixit, Radhakrishna Maai, Hemadpant, Bhuti, Das Ganu, Lakshmi Bai, Nanavali, Upasni Maharaj, Abdul Baba, Sapatanekar, Nanasaheb Chandodkar, B.V. Narashima Swamiji.[citation needed] Some disciples of Sai Baba achieved fame as spiritual figures, such as Upasni Maharaj of Sakori. After the demise of Sai Baba, his devotees offered the daily Aarti to Upasni Maharaj when he paid a visit to Shirdi twice within 10 years.
Hindus
During Sai Baba’s lifetime, the Hindu saint Anandanath of Yewala declared Sai Baba to be a “spiritual diamond.” Another saint, Gangagir, also called him a “jewel.” Sri Beedkar Maharaj greatly revered Sai Baba and in 1873, when he met him he bestowed the title Jagad guru upon him. Sai Baba was also greatly respected by Vasudevananda Saraswati (known as Tembye Swami). He was also revered by a group of Shaivism yogis, known as the Nath-Panchayat. He is considered an avatar of the Supreme Reality (Brahman or God), a satguru, or saint, depending on individual proclivities. This is not uncommon in Hinduism where there is no central doctrine or cosmology, but a basis in individual faith and spirituality.
Parsis

Saibaba was revered by prominent Zoroastrians such as Nanabhoy Palkhivala, Farhad Panthaky, and Homi Bhabha, and has been cited as the Zoroastrians’ most popular non-Zoroastrian religious figure.
Meher Baba, who was born into a Zoroastrian family, met Sai Baba once, during World War I, in December 1915. This event is considered the most significant in Meher Baba’s life. Shri Sai Satcharita (Sai Baba’s life story), makes no mention of Meher Baba but Lord Meher, the life story of Meher Baba, there are numerous references to Sai Baba.
Meher Baba, who claimed he was a (the) Avatar, credited his Avataric advent to Upasni, Sai Baba, and three other Perfect Masters: Hazrat Babajan, Hazrat Tajuddin Baba, and Narayan Maharaj. He declared Sai Baba to be a Qutub-e-Irshad (the highest of the five Qutubs, a “Master of the Universe” in the spiritual hierarchy). This classification of avatar and satgurus and the associated name is applied within the Meher Baba community alone In popular culture
Shri Sai tends to be a very common name for establishments in Mumbai in particular and Maharashtra in general. It tends to be popular for a variety of establishments including restaurants, real estate agencies, and hotels.
Sacred art and architecture There are many temples of Sai Baba in India. Temples are also located in countries outside India, including the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, Netherlands, Kenya, Benin, Cuba, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand. Present in the mosque in Shirdi in which Sai Baba lived, is a life-size portrait of him by Shama Rao Jaykar, an artist from Mumbai. Numerous monuments and statues depicting Sai Baba which serve a religious function have been made. One of them, made of marble by a sculptor named Balaji Vasant Talim, is in the Samadhi Mandir in Shirdi where Sai Baba was buried.

In 2008, India Post has issued a commemorative postage stamp of ₹5.00 to honour Sai Baba.