Shree Big Ram Temple Tilak Road, Akola, Akola

is a temple as renowned as the Shri Rajeshwar Mandir, the revered deity of Akola. This temple was built in the year १९०६ by Bachhulal Agrawal, a devoted disciple of Sant Gajanan Maharaj. A unique feature of this temple is that the Ram Panchayatana idols here were consecrated by none other than Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon himself. The sacred stone on which Gajanan Maharaj sat and granted permission for the construction of this temple is also preserved within its precincts. The Ram Navami festival is celebrated here with a grand procession.

The story of the temple’s construction is narrated in the twelfth chapter of the ‘Shri Gajanan Vijay’ scripture, composed in the year १९३९ by the saint-poet Dasganu, known as the ‘Mahipati of Modern Maharashtra’. It goes like this: Approximately one hundred and twenty-five years ago, a wealthy merchant named Bachhulal Agrawal resided in Akola. One day, Gajanan Maharaj unexpectedly arrived at his residence and sat on the veranda. Agrawal had heard of Maharaj’s fame and was overjoyed to see him. He performed the Shodashopachara Puja for Maharaj. After a sacred bath, he adorned Maharaj with a pitambar (yellow silk garment) and a shawl. A zari (gold thread) handkerchief was tied on his head. He also adorned Maharaj with many ornaments like gof (a type of necklace), salkadi (bracelets), and mudrika (rings). Jalebi was offered as Naivedya, and ten thousand rupees were presented as Dakshina.

After this, Agrawal expressed his wish to Maharaj, saying, “It is my desire to build a Ram Mandir here. Please fulfill my wish.” Maharaj then blessed him, saying, “Janaki Jivan (Lord Rama) will fulfill your wish.” It is said that at that time, Maharaj had held a gathering in the courtyard in front of the Rajeshwar Mandir in Akola. After that gathering, he had come to Agrawal’s residence along with the Muslim saint Mehtab Shah Auliya of Kurum. After granting permission to build the temple, Maharaj also indicated where it should be constructed. The temple has been built on the very same spot on what is now Tilak Marg. The stone on which Gajanan Maharaj sat at that time is also preserved in this temple. There is a legend associated with this: when the temple completed one hundred years of its construction, Agrawal’s grandson had a dream vision of Gajanan Maharaj. Maharaj instructed him to bring that stone from the mansion to the temple. Subsequently, this stone was brought to the temple with great fanfare in a bullock cart belonging to a Muslim brother from original Shegaon. Devotees believe that the imprints visible on this stone are those of Gajanan Maharaj’s fingers.

The temple is situated in a bustling part of the city. The main entrance of this two-storied temple structure is topped with a dome-shaped shikhara (spire). Adjacent to it, on both sides, are Meghadambari (canopies). Below the temple’s entrance, on both sides, are sculptures of lions and dwarapalas (gatekeepers). The entrance features an intricately carved arch, and at the lalata-bimba (central part of the lintel), there is a sculpture of Ganesha. The temple has a sturdy wooden door. It is evident that a significant amount of wood was used in the temple’s construction. This wood also features carved ornamentation. Upon entering through a nagarkhana-like mandapa, one reaches another mandapa. Above the entrance of this mandapa is a beautiful idol of Ganesha. Seating arrangements are provided in this mandapa for the convenience of devotees.

The Sabha Mandapa (assembly hall) here has four arch-shaped entrances. All the intricately carved pillars in the two-storied Sabha Mandapa are connected to each other by arched mihrabs. These arches and the ceiling feature distinctive craftsmanship. Even today, old-fashioned glass lamps adorn this Sabha Mandapa. In front of the Sabha Mandapa, there is a wooden railing, and beyond it, leaving space for the Pradakshina Marga (circumambulatory path), the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is designed. Hanuman is enshrined in a niche in front of the Garbhagriha. Inside the Garbhagriha, on the Vajrapitha (diamond throne), are marble idols of Shri Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Bharata, and Shatrughna. The silver sheet on this Vajrapitha features intricate carvings. Besides the main idols, there are also smaller idols of Gajanan Maharaj, Salasar Balaji, and Hanuman on the Vajrapitha. The walls of the Garbhagriha display images depicting scenes from the Ramayana.

Near the Sabha Mandapa of the temple, one can have darshan of Gajanan Maharaj’s gadi (seat). An image of him is also placed here. A few steps away, in a small shrine, is the abode of Ramdevbaba Pir. To the left of this shrine is Gajanan Maharaj’s Garbhagriha. In the center of this Garbhagriha is a marble idol of Gajanan Maharaj. This idol is anointed with attar (perfume) daily. Every Thursday, the idol is also adorned with shringar (ornaments and decorations). In front of this idol is the stone from Agrawal’s old mansion. In the shrine to the left of this Garbhagriha is the abode of Rani Sati. Prasad is prepared for devotees in the temple’s dining hall. Stone steps lead to the upper floor of the temple. On this floor, meals are served during festivals.

Daily rituals in the temple include Kakad Aarti at ५:३० AM, Shringar Aarti at ७:०० AM, Bhog Aarti at ११:०० AM, Shringar Aarti at ७:०० PM, and Shayana Aarti at १०:०० PM. Naivedya is offered twice a day. Festivals such as Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, Rishi Panchami, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, and Gajanan Maharaj Prakat Din are celebrated here. During festivals, at ६:०० AM, Abhishek and Puja are performed on the Bhog Murti (processional idols) by the Yajaman (host). After Naivedya and Aarti, there is Brahman Bhojan (feeding of Brahmins). Thereafter, Prasad is distributed to devotees. Ram Navami is the biggest festival here. Eight days before this festival, programs like Bhajan-Kirtan, Ramayana recitation, Gopalkala Kirtan, and Ekadashi Kirtan commence. On Ram Navami day, Abhishek is performed on the Bhog Murti in the morning. Ram Janma Kirtan is performed from ९:०० AM to १२:०० PM. After the birth of Rama, Prasad is distributed to devotees. On this day, thousands of devotees queue up for darshan from ५:०० AM to १२:०० AM. Apart from festivals, devotees can have darshan in this temple daily from ६:०० AM to १२:३० PM and from ४:३० PM to १०:०० PM.

The temple is managed by the Shri Ram and Harihar Sansthan. According to the revised edition of the ‘Akola District Gazetteer’ from १९७७, the temple owns ७०० acres of land. The temple receives three thousand rupees monthly from the rent of the cinema hall, lodging-boarding facilities, and shops in the adjacent building. This cinema hall and the shop stalls were built later by the trust of Bachhulal Gondulal Agrawal next to the temple.

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