Prasanna Shree Gaurishankar Temple Malkapur, Malkapur, Buldhana

The Gaurishankar Temple in Malkapur, known as the gateway to Vidarbha, is highly renowned. The holy text ‘Gajanan Vijay’, composed by the saint-poet Dasganu Maharaj, records that Shri Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon visited the home of Vishnu Savji here five times. It is also mentioned that during one of these visits, Lokmanya Tilak accompanied Gajanan Maharaj. This temple was inaugurated by Yashwantrao Chavan, the former Deputy Prime Minister of India and the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra. A beautiful depiction of ‘Gangavatarana’ (the descent of the Ganges) is set upon an artificial hill constructed within the temple premises. Devotees visiting Malkapur make it a point to visit this temple.

Vishnu Savji of Malkapur was a staunch devotee of Gajanan Maharaj. The Maharaj stayed at his residence five times. He stayed here for eleven days from June 11 to June 21, 1903, for the Yogini Ekadashi festival; he returned again on August 13, 1903. Maharaj, who arrived on July 13, 1905, stayed at Savji’s house for a week. He also visited in 1907. In 1907, while returning from Nashik with his disciple Bhaskar Patil, Gajanan Maharaj stopped at Savji’s house. Savji was also blessed by Saint Shrirang Maharaj of Marathwada. Once, Savji invited both Gajanan Maharaj and Shrirang Maharaj to his home and performed their joint worship. During this stay, Shrirang Maharaj stayed in a camp outside the house, while Gajanan Maharaj resided inside. It is said that the day after the worship, Shrirang Maharaj visited Savji’s house to meet Gajanan Maharaj and offered him a garland of flowers. Subsequently, on May 6, 1908, Gajanan Maharaj arrived at Savji’s house along with Lokmanya Tilak and Dadasaheb Khaparde. Vishnu Savji passed away in Deolali on May 10, 1912. Information suggests he had undergone surgery due to gangrene. All these visits of Gajanan Maharaj are recorded in the ‘Gajanan Vijay’ text.

Whenever Gajanan Maharaj visited this house, he would sit on a specific cot. It was on this very cot that Vishnu Savji had performed his Abhyangsnan (ritual bath). That historic cot is still preserved today in a hall near the temple entrance. After the passing of Vishnu Savji, his son Govind, alias Dadasaheb Savji, built this temple in 1958. The temple was inaugurated by Yashwantrao Chavan. The ‘Central Provinces and Berar District Gazetteers – Akola District’ contains descriptions of historical references to this area.

The temple is situated on the Malkapur-Nandura road, a short distance from the railway station. The temple is surrounded by a protective wall. Upon entering through the main gate, one enters a large courtyard. The temple is located on the left side of this courtyard, adjacent to the boundary wall. The structure of the temple consists of a Sabhamandap (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the marble sanctum, there is a beautiful Shiva Linga placed on a large Shalunka (base). In front of the Shiva Linga, on the right side, is the idol of Nandi. Behind the Shiva Linga is a four-armed idol of Ganpati and Mother Parvati. An idol of Gajanan Maharaj is enshrined in a niche on the back wall. In a room within the Sabhamandap, there is a marble idol of Nana Maharaj Taranekar, who is considered an incarnation of Shri Dattatreya. Additionally, a black-and-white image of Vitthal of Pandharpur and an idol of Shirdi Sai Baba are installed in a niche here. Portraits of many dignitaries, including Dadasaheb Savji, are displayed in this Sabhamandap.

In the hall to the left of the temple entrance, the historic cot of Gajanan Maharaj and his Padukas (footwear) are preserved. A large portrait of Gajanan Maharaj and a rare black-and-white photograph of him can also be seen here. There is a small Maruti temple in the temple courtyard, where a marble idol of Hanuman is installed. The premises feature many trees, including an Audumbar tree. An artificial hill 10.5 meters high has been created here. On this hill, made of stone and cement, the mythological story of how Lord Shiva brought the Ganges to Earth through the efforts of Bhagiratha is depicted. One can reach the top of this hill via stairs. At the summit, there is a 1.52-meter-high golden-colored idol of Mother Ganga, with idols of Ganpati and Parvati to her right. There is a Nandi at the base of the hill. An underground pipe connection leads to the idol of Ganga at the summit. Water collects in the vessel held by Mother Ganga and falls down. This water is collected at the base and pumped back up. Many devotees visiting Malkapur come here to seek the blessings of Gaurishankar and to see Gajanan Maharaj’s cot. Every year, on Paush Shuddha Panchami, the Palkhi (palanquin) of Gajanan Maharaj arrives here, drawing a large crowd of devotees.

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