Ancient Sidaji Maharaj Sansthan Patur, Patur, Akola

The Sidaji Maharaj Sansthan is famous in the historic city of Patur, which is renowned as a ‘City of Saints’. Sidaji Maharaj, who is revered as the guardian deity of the city, was a divine saint. Devotees narrate many stories of his miracles with great devotion even today. Thousands of devotees from the surrounding region have deep faith in the Maharaj. A grand ten-day fair is held here every year starting from Gudi Padwa. The Dahi Handi festival, which is part of this fair with a tradition spanning about two centuries, is well-known throughout the region. Devotees from various parts of the taluka make it a point to attend this fair.

The history of Patur city dates back to the second century BCE. The Satavahana rule was established in Maharashtra around 232 BCE. During this period, many Buddhist caves in Maharashtra were formed. According to archaeological research, the excavation of the famous caves in Patur also began during this time and continued until the third century CE. Copper plates of the Vakatakas have been found in districts like Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur, and Chanda. This indicates that the Vakatakas held power in this region from the second century CE. Having witnessed various regimes such as the Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Mughals, and the Nizam, this city came under the control of the East India Company at the beginning of the nineteenth century. In the Second Anglo-Maratha War, which took place between 1803 and 1805, Lord Wellesley defeated the Bhonsles of Nagpur.

In the period that followed, the people of Akola district were in great distress due to the raids of the Pindaris and administrative tyranny. The public was troubled by the exploitation of moneylenders. It was during this time that Sidaji Maharaj incarnated in Patur. He was born into the Mahokar clan here. His father’s name was Raghoji Patil, and his mother’s name was Alokabai. It is said that Sidaji Maharaj exhibited the traits of an ‘Auliya’ (divine soul) since childhood. Later, stories of the many miraculous deeds he performed in the surrounding region were told. He would always chant, “Har Har Mahadev Sambha, Kashi Vishwanath Shiva Linga.” He had a very large following of devotees. In 1810 CE, on the day of Gudi Padwa, he consecrated a religious flag (Dharmadhwaja) in the premises of the current temple. Two years later, in 1812, on the day of Gudi Padwa, he took Samadhi here.

Devotees initially built a small temple at the place where Sidaji Maharaj took Samadhi. In 1957, this temple was renovated. The black-colored idol of Sidaji Maharaj, crafted by the famous sculptor of Patur, Vamanrao Vadatkar, after three years of tireless effort, has been installed in this temple.

The premises of this temple, located in the heart of the city, are peaceful and pleasant. There is a path leading to the temple courtyard from the entrance arch located along the road. The temple stands in the center of this courtyard, which is paved with paver blocks. In the assembly hall (sabhamandap) of this temple, there is an arrangement of seats on the left. In the center of the assembly hall, on a raised platform, is the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha). In the center of the four pillars of this sanctum stands the black-colored idol of Sidaji Maharaj. Glass has been installed around these four pillars up to the ceiling. The sanctum of this simple temple features a beautiful spire (shikhara) topped with a two-tiered amalaka and a finial (kalash). The niches on the spire contain idols of various gods, goddesses, and saints. To the left of the temple is the grain storehouse and the office of the Sansthan’s Board of Trustees. In the hall recently built by the Board of Trustees in the temple premises, functions like weddings and naming ceremonies are held for a nominal fee.

Daily worship and rituals are performed in this temple. The Shri Sidaji Maharaj Sansthan organizes various programs here, such as Harikirtan, Bhajans, and Bhagavata Katha. On the day of Ashadhi Ekadashi, the Maharaj’s palanquin is taken in a procession through the village. Various religious programs are also organized here during the month of Shravan. The fair held for ten days starting from Gudi Padwa is the main festival here. On the day of Gudi Padwa, after the worship in the temple, a Gudi is hoisted in the premises. Thereafter, for ten days, various religious programs including continuous Harinam and Shrimad Bhagavata Saptah are held. The Dahi Handi festival held on the last day of the fair is a center of attraction for many.

On this day, villagers fill earthen pots with a mixture of curd, soaked chickpeas, flattened rice (poha), and pickles. Then, these pots are brought to the temple amidst music and celebration. After the ‘Kala’ kirtan, the Dahi Handi festival begins. The items brought in the pots are distributed as Prasad. In the evening, these pots are immersed. After that, the palanquin procession begins from the temple. The honor of carrying this palanquin is given to the Bhoi community of the village. The image of Sidaji Maharaj is placed in the palanquin, which was donated to the Sansthan in 1972 by Janakiram Ingale of the village’s Bhoi community. After a tour of the town, this palanquin is brought back to the temple at night. Various Bhajan groups from the surrounding area participate in this palanquin procession. For this festival, a grand feast (Mahaprasad) of wheat flatbreads (polis) and eggplant curry is prepared. There is a huge crowd of devotees for this Mahaprasad. These flatbreads are made using about 50 quintals of wheat. Large tanks have to be arranged to store these flatbreads and the curry.

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