Ancient Trimandir Balkum Pada, Majiwada, Thane

Trimandirs have been established in many places across the country based on the vision of Dada Bhagwan, the enlightened soul of Jainism and founder of ‘Akram Vignan’ (the science of self-realization). One such magnificent temple among these Trimandirs, which shows the path to liberation by giving the message of religious harmony to people who are caught in religious differences instead of focusing on attaining salvation, is situated at Majiwada in Thane. In the complex of this grand temple, along with the deities of the Jain, Shaiva, and Vaishnava sects, deities of other faiths are also enshrined. Devotees from all castes and sects visit this temple in large numbers, which underscores the importance of secularism.

Dada Bhagwan was a spiritual leader from Gujarat. His original name was Ambalal Muljibhai Patel. He was born on 7 November 1908 in the village of Tarsali in Gujarat. He was a man of independent thought. After graduating, he left his education after the tenth grade to ensure he would never have to work under anyone in his life. He had an interest in spirituality since childhood. In his youth, he came to Mumbai for business. He was working as a contractor at Patel and Company, which maintained the dry docks at the Mumbai port. It is said that in June 1958, while sitting on platform number 3 of Surat railway station, he suddenly attained self-realization. He founded the religious movement ‘Akram Vignan’ in the sixties.

According to the Dada Bhagwan Foundation website, Akram Vignan is a direct and rapid path to attaining self-knowledge. In traditional paths of self-knowledge, people have to renounce worldly life and material possessions. One has to practice self-control. This is not necessary in Akram Vignan. According to this science, when the ignorance of the soul is completely removed by the grace of the enlightened one (Gnani), a fundamental transformation begins internally. The process of attaining self-knowledge is called Gnan Vidhi. It is claimed that through this medium, knowledge of the soul is attained in just two hours. Gnan Bhakti is the fundamental principle of Akram Vignan. Gnan Bhakti means complete surrender to Simandhar Swami and his medium, Dada Bhagwan, to attain liberation through knowledge.

According to Jainism, Simandhar Swami is a living Tirthankara who resides in another world known as Mahavideh Kshetra. It is the belief of Jains that Simandhar Swami was born during the time of the seventeenth Tirthankara, Kunthunath, and the eighteenth Tirthankara, Shri Arhanath. His physical body is about 1500 feet tall. His age is now one lakh fifty thousand years, and he will live for another one lakh twenty-five thousand years. King Dasharatha had taken initiation from Simandhar Swami. Simandhar Swami is worshipped with great devotion in the Trimandirs built by the Dada Bhagwan Foundation.

Trimandir is considered a revolutionary religious concept. The main objective behind the establishment of these temples is to honor the deities of the Jain, Shaiva, and Vaishnava sects along with the deities of other religions on a single platform with equal reverence to instill a sense of religious harmony in society. The teaching of Dada Bhagwan is that ‘people themselves have divided God and religion. Instead of choosing any one God, we should understand and practice the core principles of all religions. All deities have told us the importance of the soul and self-realization.’ Based on these thoughts, many such temples stand in many places today. There is a magnificent Trimandir at Kajupada in the eastern part of the Borivali suburb of Mumbai. Following that, this other grand Trimandir in the Mumbai-Thane area was recently built in the Majiwada area.

Dada Bhagwan passed away on 2 January 1988. After him, his disciples continued his work. His chief disciples, Dr. Niruben Amin and Deepakbhai Desai, are primarily included in this. Deepakbhai is referred to as an enlightened soul (Atmagnani) in this sect. It is through his inspiration that this temple at Majiwada has been built. The groundbreaking ceremony (Bhumi Pujan) of this temple was performed by Deepakbhai on Sunday, 30 July 2023, between 2.30 PM and 6 PM. The work on the temple continued incessantly for about two and a half years. The consecration (Pran Pratishtha) of the idols in this temple was performed from 30 January to 1 February 2026 in the presence of Deepakbhai and countless devotees.

This Trimandir, an excellent example of traditional and modern architecture, is structured like other Trimandirs across the country. There is a high boundary wall around this temple. One enters the spacious courtyard of the temple through its main entrance. The temple structure is two-storied and built of marble stone. The main temple is situated on its second floor. One enters the courtyard of this main temple by climbing a total of 41 marble steps. Carved pillars, Phansana (stepped roofs), and high Nagara-style spires are special features of the Trimandir design that are also visible in this temple.

There are four small shrines on the circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) of the temple in the courtyard. In these shrines, which have a small open assembly hall (Sabha Mandap) and a dome-shaped roof for the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha), marble idols of Padmavati Devi, Ashtabhuja Amba, Padmanabha Bhagwan, and Saibaba are enshrined. The structure of the main temple consists of three entrance halls (Mukha Mandap), a main assembly hall, and three inner chambers (Antaral) and sanctum sanctorums. The pillars here are finely carved. The main assembly hall is spacious and grand, befitting the Trimandir style. Large crystal chandeliers are hung from its ceiling. The central sanctum sanctorum is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Simandhar Swami. In the sanctum on the left, there is a Shiva Linga, the deity worshipped by the Shaiva sect, while in the sanctum on the other side, Yogeshwar Krishna, the beloved deity of the Vaishnava sect, is enshrined.

On the front wall of the inner chamber of the main sanctum, according to the temple tradition, there are grand portraits of Dada Bhagwan. In the niches of the inner chamber, there are idols of Parshvanath Bhagwan, Mahavir Bhagwan, Ajitnath Bhagwan, Rishabhanath Bhagwan, and Chandrayan Yaksha Dev. A magnificent idol of Simandhar Swami, crafted in marble stone, is installed in the main sanctum sanctorum. This idol is seated on a high Vajra-pitha in a meditative, i.e., Padmasana posture. The idol is adorned with gold ornaments and a golden crown. There is a large silver umbrella (Chhatra) above the idol.

In front of the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva tradition, there is a marble Nandi and a statue of a tortoise. In the niches of the antarala (vestibule) here, there are idols of Hanuman and Ganapati. In the center of the floor of this sanctum sanctorum, there is a large Shiva Linga, and in the niche on the wall behind it, a white marble idol of Mother Parvati is enshrined. In the sanctum sanctorum of Yogeshwar Krishna, a marble idol of Krishna holding a chakra and a conch in his hands is placed in the center on a vajrapitha (throne). To his left is an idol of Shrinathji made of black stone, while an idol of Tirupati Balaji is installed on the right. Idols of Bhavani Mata and Chakreshwari Devi are enshrined in the niches here. On the ground floor of the temple, there is a large satsang hall for devotees and seekers. Weekly satsangs and spiritual discussions are organized in this hall.

Devotees can avail the benefit of darshan in this temple from Monday to Saturday between 7 am and 9 pm, and on Sundays from 7 am to 9.30 pm. The Prakshal Pujan Aarti takes place in the temple every day from 7.45 am to 8.30 am, and the evening aarti is performed between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. A satsang program is held every Sunday from 5 pm to 6.30 pm on the ground floor of the temple. Opened for those seeking darshan since February 2026, a large number of devotees and tourists visit this temple every morning and evening. The temple is filled with crowds on Sundays.

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