Shri Palasdari Swami Samarth Math Palasdari (Punyanagari), Karjat, Raigad

The Shri Swami Samarth Math of Palasdari is situated amidst the Sahyadri mountain ranges in the Karjat taluka of Raigad district. This place is considered a major center of spiritual peace. The name Palasdari is derived from the combination of the word ‘Palas’ (a tree found in this region) and ‘Dari’ (valley) nestled within the mountain ranges. This Math, located at the foothills of the Sahyadri, holds great historical and spiritual significance. Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot stayed here for २२ days while traveling from Pune to Mumbai; hence, this land is also referred to as a resting place or ‘Punyanagari’ (City of Merit). This Math was established in memory of that stay and in accordance with a direct divine vision of Swami.

Swami Samarth, in whom countless devotees have the faith that ‘Swami will make the impossible possible,’ has an unknown early life. In ‘Shri Swami Charitra Saramrita,’ there is a legend that the second avatar of Dattatreya, Nrusimha Saraswati, went to the Srisailam Kardali forest in Andhra Pradesh at the end of his avatar in the year १४५८. He performed penance there for ३५० years. During that time, an anthill formed around him. One day, a woodcutter’s axe accidentally struck this anthill, and Swami Samarth manifested from it. Before settling in Akkalkot, Swami traveled across India, from the Himalayas to Rameswaram. During these travels, while going from Pune to Mumbai, Swami stayed in Palasdari for २२ days. These २२ days are considered a very significant period in the history of this Math. Swami gave a divine vision in a dream to Narayan alias Dada Darekar, a practitioner of astrology in Mumbai. In this vision, Swami explained the importance of this place to him and ordered him to hoist His flag there. Dada Darekar made this instruction his life’s mission and dedicated himself to the construction of the Math. The entire construction of this Math was completed in just २२ days by the grace of Swami. Just as Swami stayed here for २२ days, the structure was built rapidly, aligning with that same number.

According to local information, before the establishment of the Math, Dada Darekar had organized a recitation of the Gurucharitra with १०८ fire rituals (Havan) by the railway lake in Palasdari from May १ to May ७, १९९३. During these seven days, for the first three days, Swami Maharaj Himself was moving around in the pavilion and accepting the Mahaprasad. However, because people could not recognize Swami in the form of an ailing person, some devotees, following complaints from others, asked Him to leave the pavilion. Later, Swami gave a vision to the head of the Math and said, “I was in the pavilion for three days, but today I was given the Mahaprasad outside.” Despite a search, that person could not be found anywhere. On the conclusion of the recitation on May ७, १९९३, there was a loud noise accompanied by lightning, and the garland placed on Swami’s photograph fell around the necks of the children standing for the Aarti. This is considered a sign of Swami’s presence. During that same period, some youths who had come for the recitation were facing legal charges, but by Swami’s grace, they were all acquitted at the conclusion of the recitation. Another story told in this regard is that in १९९६, on the day of Dattajayanti, some devotees from Mumbai were staying at the Math. At that time, a strange elderly person wearing only a loincloth entered the Math. A foul odor had spread in the Math, but as soon as a devotee placed a shawl over him at the instruction of the head of the Math, a fragrance began to spread. At dawn, the person left, and marigold flowers were found there. There is a path to the temple through an ornate arch located near Palasdari village along the Khopoli-Karjat road. On the upper side of this arch, in the center, there is a dome (Meghdambari), with elephants on both sides and soldiers playing trumpets next to them. There is a spacious parking lot in front of the Math, a short distance from here. A pavilion has been erected around the Math for the convenience of devotees, covered with a tin shed. One enters the temple pavilion through the main entrance. In this pavilion, there are shops selling worship materials and Prasad. Near the entrance of the Math in this same pavilion is the Samadhi of Tirtharup Dada Darekar. His ‘Padukas’ (footprints) are placed on a stone pedestal, and his portrait is in a niche in the wall in front of it. Dada Maharaj was born on August १४, १९४८, and passed away on July १०, २०१०. Behind this Samadhi, in a small temple under an Audumbar tree, is the Utsav Murti (processional idol) of Swami. One enters the spacious assembly hall of the Math through the main entrance. Arrangements for a queue for Darshan have been made in the assembly hall for the convenience of devotees. In the front, there is a platform in the center. In front of this platform and near the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, there is a beautiful idol of Ganesha with a large metal serpent holding a canopy over it. There is a wooden carved serpent on the lintel above the entrance to the inner sanctum. In the niche to the right of this entrance is an idol of Ganesha, and in the niche to the left is a standing idol of Swami. From here, one enters the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, a radiant silver idol of Swami Samarth is installed on a Vajrapitha (diamond throne). On the wall behind the idol is a painting of Swami standing under a banyan tree.

The tradition of festivals in the Math is disciplined. Every year, Dattajayanti and Shri Swami Samarth Prakat Din are the two main festivals celebrated on a large scale. Swami’s Punyatithi, Gurupurnima, Shri Krishna Jayanti, and Kojagiri Purnima are also celebrated here. As part of social service, the Math has also adopted a school.

Every Thursday, free food distribution (Annadan) and a Palkhi procession take place at night. Every day, Mahaprasad is served to every devotee visiting the Math between १२.३० PM and १.३० PM. Aarti is held here daily at ८ AM and ७.३० PM. The sound of the conch and cymbals during the Aarti resonates throughout the entire valley.

The Math has a ‘Shejghar’ (bedroom) for Swami, and the entire arrangement for Swami’s rest is made just like in Akkalkot. Devotees can take Darshan here daily from ७ AM to ८.३० PM.

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