Sacred Sant Ganeshpuri Maharaj Math Dongarjawala, uka Gangakhed, rict Parbhani

The village of Dongarjawala is situated in the Gangakhed taluka of Parbhani district. The Sant Ganeshpuri Maharaj Math is located on a hill within the boundaries of the villages of Dongarjawala, Sirsam, Makhani, and Dongargaon. This Math, located in the Gangakhed taluka, which is famous as ‘Dakshin Kashi’, is considered a major place of faith for many devotees in the surrounding five-village region. It is said that many great saints have performed penance at this Math. The layout and architecture of this Math are unique. The stone construction in the courtyard, the ancient Sanjeevan Samadhis, and the temples of various deities are direct witnesses to the historical architecture here.

An ancient legend is famous regarding the establishment of this Math and Sant Ganeshpuri Maharaj. Ganeshpuri Maharaj used to sit near a tree here and perform rigorous penance. Every day, he would ride a tiger to Gangakhed to fetch water from the Godavari River. Pleased by the Maharaj’s intense devotion, the Godavari River appeared before him in person at Gangakhed. At that time, the river told the Maharaj, “From now on, you do not need to come here. I will come to you.” However, she set a condition and warned, “Do not look back on the way. If you do, I will stop right there.” Upon reaching Dongarjawala, Ganeshpuri Maharaj looked back to see if the Godavari River was truly following him. At that very moment, the Godavari River split the rock, disappeared into the ground, and settled there in the form of the Ganga. This site, which appeared due to the Maharaj’s devotion, is known as ‘Chhoti Ganga’. This holy place is located a short distance from the Math. Significantly, the water in this sacred pool never dries up, even in the peak of summer. It is said that when the water level of the Godavari River at Gangakhed rises, the water level in this sacred pool also rises. When the water level at Gangakhed drops, the water level here also drops. Many devotees bathe in this holy water. Devotees have a firm belief that if young children are bathed here, their various illnesses are cured.

Sant Ganeshpuri Maharaj took Sanjeevan Samadhi at this very Math. It is said that great saints such as Sant Mohananandpuri Maharaj, Mahant Nageshwarpuri Maharaj, Mahant Manendrapuri Maharaj, and Mahant Raje Govindji Maharaj, also known as Dagdoba Maharaj, performed penance on this land. Near the Math, there is also the Sanjeevan Samadhi of the ancient Shrimad Adyamadhavanandpuri Maharaj.

There are two main routes to reach the Math. One route goes west from Sirsam village, which is nearby on the road from Gangakhed to Badwani. Also, the road going east from the Gangakhed-Latur highway, just before Dongarjawala village, leads directly to the Math. After entering through the main gate, one reaches a spacious courtyard. In this courtyard, the main Math with stone construction stands directly ahead. There is a pavilion in front of the Math structure. The original form of this temple consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). On the wall at the entrance of the Garbhagriha, a picture of Lord Shiva is drawn on the left side and Lord Dattatreya on the right. Lord Ganesha is placed on the lintel of the Garbhagriha entrance. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a high stone platform, there are two brass masks in the upper part. Below them, some conch shells and Shiva Lingas are installed. An ancient idol is also seated to the left of this platform. There is a Dhuni (sacred fire) inside the Garbhagriha. It is said that even if there is no fire in this Dhuni, ash is formed automatically.

In the vast area outside the Math is the main seat of Sant Ganeshpuri Maharaj. A small temple has been built at this place. Ganeshpuri Maharaj used to sit and perform penance near a tree here. An idol of Lord Dattatreya is installed near that tree. In the premises, there is also the Sanjeevan Samadhi of Shrimad Adyamadhavanandpuri Maharaj. To the right of this Samadhi is the seat of the Nag Devta (Serpent Deity). On the day of Nag Panchami, married women from the surrounding five-village region come here in large numbers to worship. Near the Samadhi, by the Chafa tree, a meditative idol of Lord Shiva is seated. Some Shiva Lingas are installed in this area, and a Homa Kund (sacrificial fire pit) is built nearby. There is an ancient Deepmal (lamp tower) in the temple premises. The Shiva Linga near the Ashvattha tree in the area is worshipped regularly twice a day. In the premises of this Math, there are also the Renukamata Temple, Kalbhairav Temple, Shani-Hanuman Temple, Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, and Karuneshwar Mahadev Temple. Behind the Hanuman temple, there are Samadhis of some great saints. This includes the Samadhi of Raje Govindji Maharaj. The legend about him is that he would boil stones for the devotees coming here, turn them into ‘Puran’ (sweet stuffing) stones, and distribute them as Mahaprasad. There is an old stone grinding mill in the courtyard of the Math. This mill is called the ‘Halya Bailache Jate’ (the mill of the ploughing bull). In the olden days, wheat flour was ground for devotees using this mill.

A short distance from the Math is the ‘Chhoti Ganga’ sacred pool. Water is available in this pool throughout all twelve months. This water is used for daily worship in all the temples of the Math and the surrounding area, for God’s Prasad, and for drinking. Devotees come in large numbers to bathe here. In particular, the number of devotees coming to bathe is high during the month of Magh, Somvati Amavasya, and the month of Shravan. To ensure the water does not get contaminated, devotees are not allowed to step directly into the main pool of the sacred site. Devotees have to take water from buckets kept outside the pool and bathe at a distance. Many devotees who come for Darshan carry this holy water in bottles to their homes.

The religious tradition of this Matha has been continuing uninterrupted. Many Mahants have dedicated their service here. Mahant Parameshwarananda is currently overseeing the affairs of the Matha as the present Mahant. He is the 15th Mahant of this Matha. Every year, on Magha Amavasya, an annual fair is held in the premises of this Matha. A gathering of devotees begins to assemble here from the day before the fair, starting from Mahashivratri. During this festival, large-scale food donation is performed by devotees for the fulfillment of their vows. During the festival, a palanquin procession of the mask of Ganeshpuri Maharaj is also taken out. Additionally, every year on Ashadhi Ekadashi, a foot pilgrimage (Dindi) goes from the Matha to Pandharpur. A festival is celebrated during the Sharadiya Navratri at the Renukamata temple in the Matha premises. On the first day of Navratri, Ghatasthapana is performed in the temple. During this festival, religious programs such as Bhajans and Kirtans are organized here daily. On the day of Ashvin Shukla Ashtami, a Homa-Havan is performed here at 12 midnight. Hundreds of devotees are present for this religious ritual. Similarly, on the day of Ashvin Vadya Ashtami, special programs are organized here on the occasion of the death anniversary of Raje Govindji Maharaj. In the Dattatreya temple here, the festival of Guru Purnima is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Devotees can come here for Darshan from early morning until late at night.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery