Prasanna Shree Maruti and Sheetalamata Temple Shegaon, Shegaon, Buldana

Shri Gajanan Maharaj resided for a long time at the temple of Maruti and Sheetala Mata, which is one of the five sacred sites (Panch Dham) in Shegaon. It is here that the story unfolds of the Patil’s sons beating Gajanan Maharaj with sugarcane, after which Maharaj tied the same sugarcane into a bundle, extracted the juice, and made the very same boys drink it. After this temple was merged into the Shegaon Sansthan, the Sansthan constructed a magnificent marble temple here. One can also have the darshan of Shri Gajanan Maharaj’s seat (Gadi) and his holy sandals (Paduka) here. Devotees make it a point to visit this place after taking darshan at the Samadhi Mandir of Shri Gajanan Maharaj.

The description of this sacred place is found in the sixth and seventh chapters of the ‘Shri Gajanan Vijay’ grantha, composed by Saint Dasganu Maharaj. According to it, the Patil family of Shegaon was prosperous and wealthy. They had a long-standing tradition of serving saints in their home. Mahadaji Patil of this family had two sons named Kadtaji and Kukaji. The elder son, Kadtaji, had six children. Kukaji, who was a devotee of Lord Vitthal, had no children of his own. After Kadtaji passed away, Kukaji raised all six of his children. During his tenure, the family prospered. After Kukaji, his eldest son, Khandu Patil, took over the administration. His word was considered final among all six brothers. His brothers were named Ganpati, Narayan, Maruti, Hari, and Krishnaji. These brothers had a passion for wrestling. In this village, a festival for Lord Maruti was held during the month of Shravan. Throughout this month-long festival, rituals such as Abhisheka, Puja, and Kirtan were performed. Once, at the beginning of the month of Shravan, Gajanan Maharaj arrived at this temple to stay for the festival. At that time, the Patil brothers would speak harshly to Maharaj and ridicule him. One day, Hari challenged Maharaj to a wrestling match. Maharaj encouraged him and went with him to the Akhada, sitting in the center of the ring. He challenged Hari, saying, “If you are a wrestler, try to lift me.” Despite many attempts, Hari could not do so; he accepted his defeat and sought Maharaj’s blessings. From that day on, Hari stopped speaking ill of Maharaj. However, seeing this, his brothers rebuked him. To test Maharaj, one day they came to the temple carrying a bundle of sugarcane. “We will strike you with this sugarcane.” “Only if no welts rise on your body after that, will we consider you a Yogi,” they said. Ignoring this, Maharaj remained calm and silent. Taking this as his consent, the brothers rushed towards him. Despite Bhaskar Patil, who was there to serve Maharaj, trying to stop them, they did not listen and began striking Maharaj with sugarcane stalks. As they struck him, Maharaj looked at them and smiled. Not a single welt appeared on his body from the blows of the sugarcane. Realizing the greatness of Maharaj, the brothers apologized to him. Afterward, Maharaj tied the same sugarcane stalks into a bundle, squeezed them, and extracted the juice. He gave this juice to the brothers to drink. Upon learning of this, Khandu Patil also began coming to seek Maharaj’s darshan. Later, at the suggestion of Kukaji, Khandu Patil sought Maharaj’s blessings for a son. Through the grace of Maharaj, he was blessed with a son. As per Maharaj’s instruction, the child was named ‘Bhika’. Following Maharaj’s command, he began the tradition of serving a meal of Aamras to Brahmins every year. This tradition continues in Shegaon to this day.

This temple is located at a short distance from the main temple in Shegaon. The structure of this magnificent marble temple consists of a Mukhamandapa (entrance hall), a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In a niche within the Mukhamandapa, there is a vermilion-anointed idol of Lord Hanuman. To the right of the entrance to the Sabhamandapa, there is an idol of Lord Ganesha placed in a wall niche. The pillars and ceiling of the Sabhamandapa feature beautiful carvings. On the left side of the Sabhamandapa, there is the Gadi (seat) of Gajanan Maharaj, upon which his Padukas (sacred sandals) are placed. A beautiful portrait of Gajanan Maharaj is also present here. On both sides of the entrance to the Garbhagriha, there are door pillars, and the door frame is adorned with exquisite craftsmanship. On the Lalatabimba (lintel) at the center of the door frame, there is a sculpture of Lord Ganesha. At the base of the entrance, there are Kirtimukhas on both sides, and between them, on a small pedestal, are the Padukas. Inside the Garbhagriha, there are vermilion-anointed idols of Maruti, Ganesha, and Sheetala Mata. Above them are images of Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi. On the left, there is a vermilion-anointed idol, and nearby are the Padukas.

The main entrance hall (Mukhamandapa) and the assembly hall (Sabhamandapa) of the temple feature beautiful spires (Shikharas). The parapet wall above the roof section consists of square tiers that taper as they rise. Atop these are the two-tiered Amalaka and the Kalasha. Above the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha), the tall spire is adorned with replicas of smaller spires. This intricately carved spire is also crowned with a two-tiered Amalaka and a Kalasha.

In the Maruti and Shitala Mata temple in Shegaon, which is one of the ‘Panch Dhams’, many festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Among these, Hanuman Jayanti is the most prominent festival. On Chaitra Purnima, the birth anniversary of Lord Maruti is celebrated with great grandeur. From the early hours of this day, programs such as Abhisheka, Homa-Havan, and Kirtans are organized in the temple. Similarly, during the periods of Chaitra Navratri and Sharadiya Navratri, special worship, Aarti, and Ghatasthapana of Shitala Mata are performed. During the month of Shravan, a long queue of devotees forms every Saturday to offer oil Abhisheka and garlands of Rui leaves to Lord Maruti. On the day of Shri Ram Navami, special Bhajans and the celebration of Ram Janma are also organized in the temple. On the occasion of Sant Gajanan Maharaj’s Pragata Dina, the temple is attractively decorated, and the Palkhi procession is welcomed.

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