Ancient Bhalchandra Maharaj Math Kankavali, Kankavali, Sindhudurg

Kankavli, also known as Kanakvalli, is revered in the religious world due to Paramhans Bhalchandra Maharaj. Kankavli, sanctified by the presence of this saint who observed perpetual silence and lived in a state of nudity, houses his Samadhi. Various temples dedicated to different deities surround this sacred site. This entire area was renowned as the place of penance for Bhalchandra Maharaj. Today, it is famous as the Bhalchandra Maharaj Math. It is said that Bhalchandra Maharaj was a self-realized yogi. Devotees often share accounts of experiencing his miracles.

The biographical history of Bhalchandra Maharaj is that he was born on 8 January 1904 in Mhapan. His parents were Parashuram and Anandibai Thakur. He lost his parents in his childhood. Later, he failed his matriculation examination. These adversities led him toward renunciation. In this state, while visiting Kolhapur one day, he met a self-realized soul from Gargoti. That person advised him to go to Saint Satam Maharaj in Danoli, located in the Sawantwadi Taluka. From there, he arrived in Kankavli in 1926 at the age of 22. Initially, he would sit at the old motor stand or near the Kashi Vishweshwar temple. He remained oblivious to his physical body and lived in a state of nudity. Since people did not recognize him, they would drive him away, but he would not leave. If someone gave him food, he would eat it; if someone gave him a bidi or cigarette, he would smoke it. He lived there enduring hardships. Upon learning of his condition, Satam Maharaj himself came to Kankavli and brought the greatness and spiritual stature of Bhalchandra Maharaj to the attention of society. Thereafter, people began to experience the power of the Maharaj, and devotees started gathering around him. It is the firm faith of devotees that by having the darshan of the Maharaj’s Samadhi, troubles are dispelled and one attains peace and happiness.

A story told by the devotees here regarding the Maharaj’s divine power is that once a circus came to Kankavli. It was not doing very well. At that time, the owner of the circus learned about the Maharaj. With great devotion, he once brought the Maharaj and seated him in the circus. That day, a large number of people suddenly came to the circus, and he made a great profit. From then on, he became his devotee. A person named Dharmaraj from that circus became a disciple of the Maharaj. He built a temple and an ashram in the name of the Maharaj. Like Dharmaraj, some of the Maharaj’s close disciples included Phalahari Maharaj and Raj Ahmed Husain Shah Patelbaba. The Maharaj was invited to the Hanuman Temple in Lalbaug, Mumbai, for an Akhand Harinam Saptah. While the chanting of the Lord’s name was ongoing there, the Maharaj attained Nirvana on 16 December 1977. On 18 December 1977, his mortal remains were laid to rest in Samadhi amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras in the central sanctum of the current Math. 

After Bhalchandra Maharaj came to Kankavli, his Math was established at the very place where he had performed his penance. Local devotees say that this place was once like a very small dome, and there were colocasia fields all around. Now, there is a Bhalchandra Maharaj Math with marble tiles installed there. This Math is right by the roadside. A long tin shed has been erected on the road in front of the Math to provide shade for the pilgrims. Under this shed, there are many shops selling worship materials. The premises of the Math have a large entrance gate. The entrance gate has square carved pillars, and there is a niche in the center of its roof. On both sides of it are replicas of small temples. The spacious courtyard of the temple has been fitted with an apsidal-shaped tin roof. 

In the center of this courtyard, there are two lamp pillars (Deepstambhas) situated on a high platform with three steps. Between them are two sacred basil altars (Vrindavans). A short distance ahead lies the Samadhi shrine of Paramhansa Bhalchandra Maharaj. This monastery (Math) features a large, flat-roofed, semi-open assembly hall (Sabhamandap). Along the sides of this assembly hall, there are benches for devotees to sit. On the right side of the assembly hall, the idol of Bhalchandra Maharaj is enshrined in a large wooden altar (Devhara), which is adorned with intricate carvings. In the assembly hall, leaving space for the circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg), is the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). Inside this sanctum is a tall and spacious pedestal (Vajrapeetha). On it, small square pillars on all four sides are connected to each other by semi-circular arches, topped with an ornate dome. In the center of this small shrine is an octagonal silver platform, and upon it sits a smaller similar platform. The sacred footprints (Padukas) of Maharaj are also placed there. Behind them, the radiant idol of Maharaj is installed, seated on an elephant throne (Gajasana), wearing a turban (Mandil) on his head and a shawl draped over his body. On both sides of the seat are elephants, and in the center of the halo (Prabhavali) behind, there is an image of a serpent with its hood raised. Above the idol of Maharaj is a silver canopy.

Adjacent to this monastery is the place of Maharaj’s penance (Tapashcharya Sthan). There is an idol of him at this site. On one side here is a wooden sofa, upon which portraits of Maharaj are kept. On the other side is a small cot, where large portraits of Maharaj are placed. Adjoining this penance site is the Samadhi shrine of Param Pujya Pundalik Sabaji Kamat Maharaj. In the center of the front wall of this temple, a large portrait of Maharaj smoking is displayed. Near the entrance of the monastery, outside the temple, a vessel for ash (Rakshapatra) has been placed. Bhalchandra Maharaj used to smoke; in his memory, devotees place lit cigarettes here along with incense sticks. Small tubes have been fitted on all four sides of the ash vessel to hold them. 

A special Ambassador car, acquired by devotees for the travels of Bhalchandra Maharaj, has been preserved within the premises of this Math. The unique feature of this car is that its roof panel was removed to create a special seat for Maharaj to sit upon. This car is still seen in good condition today. Some devotees who had the direct darshan of Maharaj share that he enjoyed traveling by car.

Opposite this Math is the ancient temple of Kashi Vishweshwar Mahadeva. Wood has been used extensively in the construction of this two-story temple. The temple features a long, rectangular assembly hall (Sabhamandap), and the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) is designed with a circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) left in the front. There are many wooden pillars in this assembly hall, which support the weight of the balcony on the second floor. In front of the sanctum here is an idol of Nandi. On the front wall of the sanctum, there are two gatekeepers (Dwarapals) on both sides. In the center of the sanctum, there is a Shiva Linga made of solid black stone, and behind it are the idols of Vitthal-Rukmini. 

Adjacent to this temple are also the temples of Shri Datta and Hanuman. Among the annual festivals, the Guru Purnima festival is celebrated on a grand scale here on Ashadha Purnima. Apart from this, the Guru Dwadashi festival on Ashwina Vadya Dwadashi, the Punyatithi Mahotsav of Bhalchandra Maharaj from Margashirsha Shukla Tritiya to Saptami, the Janmotsav ceremony of Maharaj from Pausha Vadya Dwitiya to Shashthi, as well as Mahashivratri are celebrated with great fervor. Annadan (offering of food) is conducted daily from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon. Additionally, two well-equipped Bhakta Niwas (pilgrim guest houses) have been constructed by the temple trust for the accommodation 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