Ancient Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Mandir Apegaon, Paithan, Chatrapati Sambhajinagar

Apegaon is the birthplace of the supreme saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, who sought the ‘Pasaydan’ from the ‘Universal God’ for the welfare of the entire world and brought the Ganges of spiritual knowledge to the common people by writing the ‘Dnyaneshwari’, a Marathi commentary on the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, as well as his elder brother and guru Nivrittinath, younger brother Sopan, and sister Muktabai. Later, at Trimbakeshwar, on the Brahmagiri mountain, Gahininath initiated Nivrittinath. This village is situated along the vast banks of the Godavari, which originates from the same mountain. The temple of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, constructed from stone slabs, is famous there.

It was previously believed that Nivruttinath, Dnyaneshwar, Sopan, and Mukta were born to Vitthalpant and Rukminibai in Alandi. However, it was claimed that their true birthplace was Apegav. Regarding this, H.B.P. Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Kolhaparkar, the head of the Apegav Sansthan, filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Nagpur Bench of the High Court. After examining various evidence and records, the bench delivered a verdict stating that the birthplace of Saint Dnyaneshwar and his siblings is Apegav, not Alandi or Paithan. Forty years have passed since then. There is an ancient temple of Saint Dnyandev in this village. A new stone temple has now been constructed beside this ancient temple.

According to ancient history, Haripant Kulkarni, a Yajurvedi Brahmin, was the Kulkarni of Apegaon. He was a known ancestor of Dnyaneshwar, specifically his great-great-great-grandfather. Vitthal was the son of Govindpant and his wife Nirai, who belonged to that same lineage. In his youth, Vitthalpant was filled with detachment, devotion, and wisdom, which led him to embark on a pilgrimage. At Alandi, he met the noble Brahmin Siddhopant. Vitthalpant stayed at Siddhopant’s ashram and later married his daughter, Rukmini. However, as he was naturally inclined towards renunciation, he took Sannyasa and went to Kashi. When his Guru there learned that he was a married man, he commanded him to return to the householder’s life. Following this, Vitthalpant resumed his family life with his wife Rukmini at Apegaon. There, they were blessed with four children: Nivrutti-nath (Magh Shuddha Pratipada, Shake ११९५, Monday, १२७३ CE), Dnyaneshwar (Shravan Vadya Ashtami, Shake ११९७, Thursday, १२७५ CE), Sopan (Kartik Shuddha Pournima, Shake ११९९, Sunday, १२७७ CE), and Muktabai (Ashwin Shuddha Pratipada, Shake १२०१, Friday, १२७९ CE). Today, Apegaon is widely recognized as the birthplace of these four. Dnyaneshwar and his siblings spent a significant portion of their lives, approximately १२ to १४ years, residing in this village. Because Saint Dnyaneshwar performed penance and rituals in this land, it is known as the Shaktipeeth of Dnyaneshwar. This location is also geographically unique. Situated on the banks of the Godavari, Shri Kshetra Apegaon lies at the confluence of the four districts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Jalna, and Ahilyanagar.

Upon entering the village, the first thing one sees is a large entrance gate. It is named the ‘Danshur Shriman Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal Praveshdwar’. On the pillars of this gate, which resembles an ancient arched gateway, are carved lion faces and Yaksha figures. Additionally, there is a standing statue of a Mavala (warrior) on the gate. Beside it are two replicas of cannons. After passing through this gateway into the village, at one end, one sees a structure that appears from the outside like an old, ancient mansion. The entrance to this yellow-painted structure is as tall and arched as the village gate, with statues of Bhaladars and Chopdars (traditional attendants) installed on both sides. As soon as one enters through this gateway, the stone-built Dnyaneshwar Temple is visible in front.

The temple has been constructed in the Hemadpanti style using stone, lime, and lead. The temple is built upon a high stone plinth. The temple structure consists of a Sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). There are five steps leading up to the Sabhamandapa. The Sabhamandapa is of an open design and features ten pillars, which are decorated with intricate floral carvings. All these pillars are interconnected by stone arches. Above the Sabhamandapa stands a small Shikhara topped with a Kalasha. A bell hangs from the ceiling there. In the center, on a small stone pedestal, are the Padukas (footprints). From this vantage point, one can have the Mukhadarshan (view of the face) of the idol of Saint Dnyaneshwar in the Garbhagriha. The frame of the Garbhagriha is covered in silver plating, engraved with lotus flowers. On the lintel, there is an idol of Lord Ganesha, flanked by elephant heads with raised trunks on both sides. Inside, directly ahead, sits the semi-translucent, ivory-colored marble idol of Saint Dnyaneshwar on a high stone throne. One hand of the idol is in a gesture of peace, while the other holds the Dnyaneshwari. The throne is also adorned with intricately crafted silver plating.

The renovation work of this temple was completed in the year 2019. There is a Kirtan hall in the temple courtyard. Murals depicting various episodes from the lives of Saint Dnyaneshwar and his siblings have been painted inside it. A family tree providing information about the lineage of these siblings is also displayed here. The temple spire is 51 feet high and is crowned with a golden pinnacle. Beside the temple is the Sanjeevan Samadhi temple of Saint Tryambakpant. It is said that Tryambakpant had received the grace of Gorakshanath. Tryambakpant was the first in the family of Dnyaneshwar to take Sanjeevan Samadhi.

Within the temple premises, there is an Ajan tree and a Peepal tree. It is a legend that Vitthalpant’s wife performed one and a quarter lakh circumambulations around this Peepal tree with the prayer that her husband, who had renounced household life, would return. A Gurukul has been constructed within the premises, where students are admitted from the fifth grade onwards. They are also taught lessons in Kirtan and Pravachan, as well as the Gita, Haripath, and Vicharsagar. These children also pursue their formal school education at the local Zilla Parishad and private schools. Recently, a two-story stone temple dedicated to the Samadhi of Guruvarya Vishnumaharaj Kolhapure has been built within these same premises. His Samadhi site is located on the ground floor. One can reach the second floor of the temple from the outside via an iron staircase, where a statue of the Maharaj has been installed. Vishnumaharaj Kolhapure and Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Kolhapure had even approached the courts in their efforts to prove that Apegaon is indeed the birthplace of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and his siblings.

Religious programs are held continuously at this temple. Since Saint Dnyaneshwar was born on the auspicious occasion of Gokulashtami, a grand festival is celebrated here on that day. Programs such as Parayan and Haripath are conducted throughout the year. On August 29, 1975, the birth septcentenary celebration of Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj was organized here on behalf of the government. Furthermore, for the development of Apegaon, the state government established the Paithan-Apegaon Development Authority in 2011.

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