Ancient Gajanan Maharaj Math Pandharpur, Pandharpur, Solapur

“Pandhari was created first, then Vaikuntha Nagari. When there was no creation, there was Pandharpur.” Although Saint Namdev attempted to describe the eternal nature of Pandharpur through these words, most evidence regarding when Pandharpur came into existence dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Yes, references to ‘Pandrige’ or ‘Pandharpur’ are found in copper plates from the 6th century belonging to the Hoysala kings. From this, it is estimated that the temple existed around the 5th or 6th century. This very Pandharpur is home to hundreds of dharmashalas, akhadas, and maths. The Saint Gajanan Maharaj Math is one of them. This math, spread over eight and a half acres, is well-known.

The first branch of the Gajanan Maharaj Math was established in Pandharpur after Shegaon. Legend has it that during his final days, Gajanan Maharaj came to Pandharpur from Shegaon for the Ashadhi Wari along with Ravji Patil. At that time, he expressed his desire to take Samadhi in the Vaikuntha city of Pandharpur. However, as Panduranga himself ordered him to make Shegaon his final abode, the Maharaj took Samadhi in the soil of Shegaon. After the Samadhi ceremony, his devotees, remembering the Maharaj’s devotion to Pandharpur, brought the Palkhi (palanquin) of Gajanan Maharaj to Pandharpur. Thereafter, the first branch of the math was established here.

The teachings of the Maharaj, that God can be attained through the trinity of Yoga, Karma, and Bhakti, are propagated and spread from this math in Pandharpur as well. The Maharaj’s teaching—to provide food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and clothes to the needy—is followed in every one of his maths. The Maharaj performed many miracles so that the common man could witness the Divine within the body. Descriptions of these miraculous events are found in the book ‘Shri Gajanan Vijay’. As this math is charged with that same divine energy, devotees visiting Pandharpur make it a point to come here for Darshan.
This temple, located along the main road, has a strong perimeter wall and a large entrance gate 51 feet wide. The height of the entrance is 72 feet. Carved from Dholpur stone from Rajasthan, this entrance is adorned with various types of intricate carvings. On the balcony above the entrance are ‘Meghdambaris’ (canopies), topped with spires (shikharas) and finials (kalashas). The entrance features niches and arched gateways. Through this entrance, one enters the spacious paved courtyard of the temple. Small gardens have been developed at various places in the courtyard. In a circular garden near the entrance, there is a statue of a Warkari holding a flag on a pedestal. Further ahead is the beautiful temple of Gajanan Maharaj, built in white marble. The temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden, and there is a marble arch on the path leading to the temple.

The temple, structured with a Mukhamandap (front hall), Sabhamandap (main assembly hall), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), is surrounded by a three-foot-high marble wall with delicate carvings. The temple stands on a high plinth. The plinth has five semi-circular steps. Since the Mukhamandap is higher than the plinth, there are eleven steps to go up, with marble railings on both sides. The Mukhamandap has four ornate, circular pillars.

Further ahead is the entrance to the Sabhamandap. The door frames are decorated with floral carvings, and there is an idol of Lord Ganesha on the lintel. The entrance has pillars on both sides topped with an arch. The Sabhamandap has two more Mukhamandaps on the left and right sides with similar architecture. The enclosed Sabhamandap has marble lattice windows for light and ventilation. There are steps to enter the Garbhagriha, which is higher than the Sabhamandap. The door frames of the Garbhagriha feature floral carvings with an idol of Ganesha on the lintel. Inside the Garbhagriha, on a Vajrapitha (diamond throne), is the idol of Gajanan Maharaj, and behind this idol are the idols of Vitthal-Rukmini. There is a circumambulation path (pradakshina marg) around the exterior of the Garbhagriha through the Sabhamandap.
The roofs of all three Mukhamandaps of the temple have square, pyramid-shaped stepped shikharas. At the top of the shikharas are stupikas and finials. The roof of the Sabhamandap has a decorative railing on all four sides. The roof of the Garbhagriha has a high, circular, tapering shikhara. The shikhara features five niches stacked one above the other in all four directions. The shikhara is adorned with pillar carvings, topped with a stupika and a finial. In the temple courtyard, there is a two-story Shri Ram temple and five buildings for devotee accommodation (Bhakta Niwas). These contain 252 well-equipped rooms. Other buildings in the courtyard include a homeopathy hospital, a Warkari educational institute, a music school, and halls for cultural and public functions.

On Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, the Palkhi of Gajanan Maharaj arrives in Pandharpur from Shegaon with great royal splendor, accompanied by elephants and horses. These two days are celebrated as the main annual festivals here. During this time, the math provides ‘Mahaprasad’ for about three to four lakh devotees. A mobile hospital is arranged during the Wari, allowing twenty to twenty-five thousand Warkaris to avail of medical services. Festivals such as the Gajanan Maharaj Prakat Din, Punyatithi ceremony, and Guru Purnima are celebrated in the temple. During the four months of Chaturmas, programs like discourses, bhajans, and kirtans are organized. During this period, Mahaprasad is distributed to over 500 devotees daily. Devotees can have Darshan of Gajanan Maharaj in this temple daily from 5:00 AM to 9:30 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