Pavitra Baradari Institute Vanavasi Ram Temple Balapur, Balapur, Acola

The Baradari Sansthan, situated on the banks of the Uttarvahini Manakarnika (Man) River, is renowned as a sacred land of penance for saints. This Sansthan, located in the village of Balapur, which is home to the famous temple of the self-manifested Baladevi, boasts a history of approximately one thousand years. The Ram Mandir here houses an idol of Vanavasi Rama. This ancient idol, featuring a beard and moustache, was carved from a Shaligram stone found in the Gandaki River basin in Nepal. Within the precincts of this Sansthan, there are over चाळीस samadhis of saints.

The Man River, a tributary of the Purna River—the main river in Akola district—was known in ancient times as Manakarnika. This river flows northwards (uttarvahini). According to Hindu religious tradition, temples located on the banks of north-flowing rivers attain the status of pilgrimage sites. Consequently, this area is also revered as a pilgrimage site and is famous as a land of penance for many saints. Historical records attest that numerous sadhus and saints performed austerities in the vicinity of the Baradari Sansthan on the banks of the Man River. These sadhus and saints, seeking a suitable place for solitary penance and access to water for their trikala sandhya rituals, arrived at this spot on the banks of the north-flowing Manakarnika River. The ashram in this area also has a rich guru-shishya tradition. The Ram Mandir and Shiv Mandir here are said to be ancient.

In earlier times, a great soul named Sitaram Maharaj resided in this area. He performed penance here for many years. He would beg for alms in the village. As prasad, he would give two tulasi leaves from his satchel to those who offered him alms. During his time, the ashram here housed one hundred to one hundred and पचास cows. After he took samadhi here in एक हजार नऊशे पासष्ट, the ashram remained somewhat neglected for a few years. During this period, some miscreants attempted to vandalize the idol of Rama in the Ram Mandir. In the एक हजार नऊशे ऐंशीs, saints began to frequent the place again. In दोन हजार चार, the Ram Mandir here was renovated.

Balapur, situated at the confluence of the Man and Mhais rivers, has a rich history dating back to the Bahmani period. The Balapur Fort here is considered the strongest fort in Vidarbha. Aurangzeb’s son, Azam Shah, began its construction in एक हजार सातशे एकवीस. Records indicate that Nawab Ismail Khan of Elichpur (present-day Achalpur) completed the fort’s construction in एक हजार सातशे सत्तावन्न. To the south of this fort is the ancient and famous temple of Baladevi. It is said that the town was named Balapur after this goddess. Formerly, Balapur was a wealthy pargana in the Berar province. The marketplace in Balapur town was once considered the largest in Vidarbha. To the south of this village, which has witnessed the history of the Bahmanis, Mughals, and Nizams, there is a chhatri built by the Mughal Sardar Mirza Raje Jai Singh on the riverbank. This Sansthan is located on the path leading to this chhatri.

The temple complex, situated at the village entrance, is peaceful and serene. Within its precincts are many small and large samadhis of ascetics. It is said that there were previously ऐंशी samadhis here, of which approximately पन्नास remain today. Many of these samadhis feature intricate carvings. The Sansthan also houses a goshala and a small Shiv Mandir. The temple, built on a high plinth, is shaped like a Shri Yantra. Its structure comprises three darshan mandaps, a sabhamandap, and a garbhagriha. One enters the darshan mandap by ascending सात steps from the courtyard. Both sides of the steps have railings with pillars. The enclosed sabhamandap features marble flooring. An octagonal garbhagriha is located in front of the sabhamandap. This garbhagriha has a circumambulatory path on its exterior, accessed through दोन doors from the sabhamandap. Near the entrance to the garbhagriha is a large seated idol of Swami Svakarmananda Saraswati on a platform. Inside the garbhagriha, on a vajra pitha, is the idol of Vanavasi Rama, carved from a Shaligram stone from the Gandaki River basin in Nepal. This ancient idol, with its beard and moustache, is distinctive. The idol holds a bow in its left hand and an arrow in its right. Below the idol is an ancient inscription, but it is illegible. To the right of the idol are idols of Maruti, and to the left, Garuda. Behind this idol are marble idols of Shri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. All three idols wear beautiful crowns and have a prabhaval (halo) behind them. The garbhagriha is topped by a shikhara with circular tiers, tapering upwards. At the apex of the shikhara are an amalaka and a kalasha. Within the temple complex are some samadhis and an ancient well. Near the well is the samadhi of Sitaram Maharaj.

Sadhu Gajananpuri Maharaj of the ‘Shri Panchayati Taponidhi Niranjan Akhara,’ a Shaiva monastic order established in Mandvi, Gujarat, in सातशे सव्वीस CE, resides in this temple. The ashram’s activities are conducted under his guidance. Festivals such as Mahashivaratri, Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, and Sitaram Maharaj Punyatithi are celebrated here. Mahashivaratri is a major festival, during which many religious programs are organized, including Navakundi Yajna, Gyan Yajna, Shiv Purana Katha, and Shrimad Bhagavata Katha Mahotsav. Many devotees attend this festival, and mahaprasad is distributed to them.

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