Historic Sonaji Maharaj Temple Sonala, Sangrampur, Buldana

The sacred land of Vidarbha is blessed with a rich tradition of saints. One of the most radiant names in this lineage is Saint Sonaji Maharaj. The Samadhi temple of this great saint is situated in Sonala, a village in the Sangrampur Taluka of Buldana district. Sonaji Maharaj imparted a profound teaching to the common people through his own life: “True peace of the soul is attained only by surrendering completely at the feet of the Divine.” Many miraculous episodes from the life journey of this great soul, who was a supreme devotee of Lord Shivshankar and Lord Hanuman, are still recounted with great reverence across Vidarbha. Devotees from Maharashtra as well as Madhya Pradesh visit this land, sanctified by his presence, to bow their heads in devotion.

Sonaji Maharaj was born about three hundred years ago into a shepherd family in the village of Bawanbir in Sangrampur Taluka. Having lost his father in childhood, his mother brought him to his maternal uncle’s family in Sonala. He grew up in his uncle’s home and was entrusted with the responsibility of herding cattle. While grazing the cattle in the forest during the day, the seeds of devotion sprouted in the Maharaj’s inner self. At night, holding stone cymbals in his hands and chanting “Govinda-Govinda,” he would visit the Mangeri Mahadev temple in the Ambabarwa Sanctuary, the Rishi Maharaj Sansthan, and the Vari Hanuman temple on the Vari Bhairavgad fort. It is said that his constant chanting would disturb the sleep of the King of the Vari Fort, and a popular legend suggests that the angered King once imprisoned him within the fort.

The villagers often witnessed the spiritual power of the Maharaj. When some people followed him at night to see where he went, they saw two tigers walking alongside Sonaji Maharaj. When the fearful people asked him about it, the Maharaj calmly replied that the tigers were his companions. At the Mangeri Mahadev site, he lit a lamp using only water, and after the Aarti of Lord Mahadev, he gave the devotees “Po” (flattened balls of cow dung) as Prasad. Those who threw them away later regretted it, but those who took them home found that the cow dung had turned into gold. Due to such miracles, the fame of the Maharaj spread far and wide. The Maharaj cured the ailing son of Raghujiraje Bhonsle of Nagpur simply through his touch and blessings. At that time, upon regaining consciousness, the prince asked for a simple meal of Ambadi vegetable, Jowar bread, and Urad dal, as instructed by the Maharaj. The village feast offered by the Bhonsle family in gratitude for this favor has been preserved as a grand tradition to this day.

After the Mahasamadhi of Sonaji Maharaj, a grand Samadhi temple was built in Sonala. Nestled in the Satpuda mountain ranges, Sonala is a large village in the district. Government gazetteers mention that this village was once the headquarters of a Pargana. The village is surrounded by the Ambabarwa Sanctuary, famous for animals like tigers, wolves, bears, and deer. The temple is located a short distance from the village bus stand. In the parking area in front of the temple entrance stands the large chariot used during the festival of Saint Sonaji Maharaj. After entering through the gate in the compound wall, one reaches a stone-paved courtyard. There are seats for devotees in this courtyard. The temple structure consists of a semi-open Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), an Antarala (vestibule), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the Sabha Mandap, on a platform in front of the Antarala, are marble idols of Hanuman and a tortoise.

There are four steps leading to the Antarala, which is higher than the Sabha Mandap. On the left wall of the entrance to the Garbhagriha, there is a niche containing an idol of Lord Shivshankar with Mother Parvati and Ganesha sitting on his lap. On the right wall, there is a niche with an idol of Gopal-Krishna accompanied by Gopis. The doorframe of the Garbhagriha features sculptures of gatekeepers on both sides and an image of Ganesha on the lintel. In the center of the Garbhagriha, on the Samadhi site of Sonaji Maharaj, are silver footprints and his idol behind them. In a niche on the wall behind the Maharaj’s idol are the idols of Vitthal-Rukmini. The Garbhagriha is topped by a large dome-shaped Shikhara. The outer wall of the temple has many angles, carved with images of Saraswati, Hanuman, sages, and elephants. Within the temple premises, there is a Shiva temple and an idol of Dattatreya.

A grand five-day fair is held at this temple every year on Kartik Purnima. The main attraction of this fair is the chariot procession, considered the largest in Vidarbha. At midnight on the full moon, this decorated wooden chariot is taken out through the village with great enthusiasm. The chariot is welcomed in front of every house in the village with Rangoli patterns. The Mahaprasad distributed to the devotees during this fair is unique. Thousands of devotees partake in this Mahaprasad, which consists of about 121 quintals of Jowar bread, 35 quintals of Urad dal, and Ambadi vegetable. In this sacred premises of the Samadhi temple, not only this fair but also spiritual activities like Ram Navami, Gokulashtami, and the Ashadhi Ekadashi foot pilgrimage are celebrated every year. The state government has honored this temple by granting it the status of a ‘B’ grade pilgrimage site.

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