A Siddha Yogi in a Metropolitan
Param Pujya Shree Gagananand Maharaj, hailed from the Emperor Chalukya Pulakeshi family and was born into the Patankar family at Mandure village in Patan Taluka of Satara District in Western Maharashtra. From a very tender age, Maharaj (a small boy then) used to have visions of a white horse galloping elegantly for a while and then gradually coming to a halt. The horse would then try to dig the earth below. Just below the surface of the earth, there was a hidden cave where a Yogi would be sitting. The Yogi would then offer the small boy a Shreephal (Coconut) and ask him to break it. Upon breaking the Coconut the Yogi would disappear. This vision continued until the small boy become a teenager and left his village for the city of Mumbai in 1958. The teenager was keenly interested in learning the principles/secrets of the universe from observing Srishti (Nature) and hence conventional life paths did not appeal to him.
On one sunny morning in South Mumbai, the teenager was seated on the rock in a contemplative state. A washer man nearby informed the teenager that a Yogi from a faraway town was visiting the Girgaum area and that the teenager should meet the Yogi for blessing and guidance. The teenager managed to get a glimpse of the Sadhu and from that very moment, he felt his dreams and imaginations coming true as this Sadhu was the same image he had envisioned.
On further enquiry, the teenager was directed to visit the Gagangarh Fort which was the abode of the Yogi. The teenager felt a divine pull towards the Gagangarh Fort to meet his destined Sadhguru. Much to the astonishment of the teenager, reaching the Gagangarh Fort was literally like a dream coming true. A cave, a white horse outside and a Yogi who offered him a Shreephal and also gave him a ‘Gurumantra’ to chant on a daily basis. That moment was the divine manifestation of a childhood vision and the teenager decided to spend the rest of his life at the feet of his Sadhguru – Yogiraj Swami Gagangiri Maharaj. This is how the teenager started his spiritual journey, learning Yogic Sciences under the grace and guidance of his Sadhguru. In about a year’s time, Swami Gagangiri Maharaj gave ‘Shishya Diksha’ to the teenager who was later known as Shree Gagananand Maharaj.
From 1962 until 2010, Shree Gagananand Maharaj relentlessly and selflessly served his Sadhguru and his divine ashram work. Maharaj was one of the pioneers to embrace, live and execute his Sadhguru’s teachings and visions. Simultaneously, he did his own penance on the principles of Asthanga Yoga (Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) for decades and started staying at Manori.
Maharaj was a true Bhakti Yogi, Karma Yogi, Hath Yogi, Jnan Yogi and Raj (Dhyana) Yogi and his life’s journey is a testimony to all the branches of Yoga. He had been a ray of light to many seekers who have experienced and have seen him in his ‘Vishwa Viraat Swaroop.’ Seekers from all spheres of life (from those seeking worldly success to those seeking spiritual bliss, realization) and different religions have followed Maharaj over several decades. With the help and assistance of the seekers, Maharaj built three different ashrams namely; the Samudranand Siddhasthal in Manori-Malad, the Dafalwadi Mandure Ashram in Patan and the Tirthasthal Sohamthan Ashram near Nashik.
About the Ashrams
Shree Gagananand Maharaj came to Manori in the year 1974 and continued his penance in the clean waters of the Marve Sea. Shree Gagananand Maharaj established the Manori Ashram as his “Sadhana-Sthal” i.e. the place for practising his penance and also the primary place to give “Darshan” to his devotees. The Manori Ashram is at the shore of the Manori creek and the entire ashram was designed by Maharaj himself ensuring that the spiritual principles and structural aesthetics complemented with the fine ecological balance. Thousands of devotees and seekers have found peace and solace in the serene environment of the Manori Ashram. There are two temples in the Ashram – The Samudreshwar Mahadev Mandir and the Datta Maharaj Mandir. The temples and the entire Ashram was designed and consecrated by Maharaj. It was designed to serve as a practical apparatus that is conducive for a seekers’ Spiritual Sadhana or journey towards the Celestial Light (call it by any name God, Ishwar, Brahma, Holy Father, Allah or Shiva). We, the seekers, are confident that in the coming years, Mumbai city will be proud of having a place like the Manori Ashram and will treasure it as a crown jewel.
Param Pujya Shree Gagananand Maharaj Ashram in Dafalwadi is close to his birthplace Mandure in Patan. The Ashram is nestled in the midst of the Sahyadri mountain ranges, 4,000 ft above the sea level. This vicinity has a perfect blend of nature, wildlife and fresh air. It is an ideal place for peaceful meditation and self-realisation. Shree Gagananand Maharaj spent his initial years of Sadhana doing rigorous penance at this location.
Param Pujya Shree Gagananand Maharaj Ashram at Sohamthan near Nashik is another Ashram that has religious and mythological importance. Jatayu was injured by Ravana following Sita-Haran. When Jataya was injured, he was offered water through a water spring created by Lord Rama’s arrow. Jatayu had water at two different places and finally left his body at a place called Takej which is a pilgrim site. The 1st place where Jatayu had water is the place where the Ashram is located and even today one can find water flowing perennially here – blissful natural delight indeed! A beautiful water Kund has been built for bathing and doing Sadhana in the water or on the Ghats. Shree Gagananand Maharaj did his rigorous Sadhana at this place and worked to make this place accessible to locals. Currently, this place is used by the locals for all the Ashram’s religious & holy activities and events.