Gajanan Maharaj Temples
The Gajanan Maharaj Temples were built to honor Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj, a late-nineteenth–, early-twentieth-century Indian holy man known to many people in Maharashtra, India. His birthdate is unknown; he lived most of his life at Shegaon, near Akola district in Maharashtra, where he died on 8 September 1910. Although Shegaon has special significance for Maharaj and his devotees and hosts a magnificent temple, in every city of Maharashtra one will find a Gajanan Maharaj temple.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple in Shegaon:
Shegaon has gained renown as a pilgrimage center, since Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj lived (and died) there. Hindus consider Gajanan Maharaj a saint, with miraculous powers. His origins are unknown. Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple is built at his place of death. Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is the largest temple trust in the Vidarbha region and is known as the “Pandharpur of Vidarbha”. It attracts pilgrims from all over Maharashtra.
The Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan (Institution) Temple Trust coordinates the day-to-day affairs of the temple; it is headed by the Managing Trustees, who normally come from the Patil family. The Trust coordinates services in the spiritual, religious, medical and educational fields; most notably, it runs Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering (SSGMCE), a well-known engineering college in the Vidarbha region. It is on Central Railway.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj and Navi Temples in Mumbai:
Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) has a number of temples: Bandra East (Government Colony, near Y Quarters), Vile Parle East on Tejpal Scheme Road No. 3, Mahim Kapad Bazar, Goregaon West, Siddharth Nagar (this temple has a remarkable statue), Unnat Nagar, Borivali East, Ghatkopar, D. Y. Patil College in Nerul, Vashi and Dadar West.
As of 2011, a new temple is under construction near Manor in Bhopoli (on the way to Ahmedabad). Another temple of Gajanan Maharaj is located at Titwala East in Maanda (which is also known for Maha Ganapati Mandir); it was established by the late Shri Gurunath Mhetre. There are also temples in Dombivali, Ratnagiri, Palghar, Indore, Belgaum and Dahanu (outside Mumbai). A new temple is under construction in Madgaon, Goa.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temples in Kanhor and Ambernath:
A small—but beautiful—temple has also been constructed at Kanhor, Kulgaon, Badlapur (in District Thane). The temple is located just outside of Badlapur village on a small hillock, surrounded by fields and greenery. The natural beauty around the temple is another attraction for devotees.
Another temple (with a large statue) is in Ambernath, near the railway station.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple, Thane (Ram Maruti Road):
Shri Vinay Joshi, an ardent devotee of Maharaj, has devoted his own property for the temple. Vinay Joshi conducted and participated in an 18-day padayatra (trip) to Shegaon from Thane with five other friends and devotees. He is an artist himself (with a screen-printing business), in addition to conducting pilgrimages to Shegaon and other religious shrines. Vinay Joshi himself has sculpted and painted the 2½-foot-tall plaster of Paris statue in “Kalpavruksha”, his residence on Ram Maruti Road. Hundreds of devotees pay their respects at this shrine, and Joshi’s selflessness is impressive.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj, Mandir, Nagpur:
The temple of Sant Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon is organised by Yogiraj Gajanan Seva Pratisthan in Nagpur. There are several other temples dedicated to Gajanan Maharaj, including Reshim Baug (Varhadpande Kaka), Zenda Chowk Dharampeth (the oldest temple, after Shegaon), Lakdi Pool,Zenda Chowk mahal(Prati Shegaon)and Chikhali Layout.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple at Aurangabad:
Wonderful temple has been constructed at Aurangabad during 1989-1991.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Temple at Pune:
There are three temples in and around Pune city. The first one is at Tulsi Baug, the second one at Sahakar Nagar and a huge one, third one is at a private property at Wakad,forth one is at Old Sangavi.
