Shree Gomay Hanuman Mandir / Swami Samarth Math kali, Nandgaon, Naasik

The village of Takli in the Nandgaon taluka of Nashik district is famous as ‘Ramdasanchi Takli’. The ‘Shri Swami Samarth Math’ is situated at the confluence of the Godavari and Nandini rivers. It is in this Math that the idol of Gomay Hanuman, consecrated by Samarth Ramdas, is located. This is the first temple established by Ramdas Swami on the day of Ram Navami in 1633.

Samarth Ramdas Swami (Narayan Thosar) was born on the day of Ram Navami, March 24, 1608, in the village of Jamb in Jalna district. It is said that Lord Shriram himself graced him with the Ram-mantra. To realize his true self, he remained detached from worldly illusions and remained a celibate throughout his life. Samarth Ramdas is uniquely recognized as a contemporary of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and the spiritual guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Along with his spiritual work, he kept a close watch on the political and social developments of his time. He remained constantly active in the propagation and promotion of spirituality, devotion to one’s own Dharma, and patriotism.

During his youth, between 1620 and 1633, Samarth Ramdas left his home and lived in the village of Takli under a different name. Here, he performed penance for 12 years. He was a devout follower of Shriram and Hanuman. His attire consisted of a loincloth (langoti), a kaupindhari, a kamandalu (water pot), and a satchel (jholi) over his shoulder.

While in Takli, every morning after bathing and performing Surya Namaskar, he would stand in chest-deep water in the riverbed to meditate. In the afternoon, he would engage in dialogues and seminars on Vedic subjects with other sages. In the evening, he would go to the village Ram temple to listen to kirtans and discourses. At night, he would continue chanting the Lord’s name until late.

Upon seeing the Ganpati at Morgaon, the prayer ‘Sukhakarta Dukhaharta Varta Vighnachi’ was inspired in Ramdas Swami. Through this prayer, Samarth earned a place in the hearts of Ganesh devotees across the world.

A legend regarding Ramdas Swami states that while returning from meditation in Takli, a woman named Annapurna fell at his feet and began to cry. She was grieving the death of her husband. Saying ‘It is Shriram’s will’, the Swami sprinkled water from his kamandalu onto the face of her husband, Giridhar Kulkarni, who was lying motionless. Giridhar sat up as if waking from sleep. Due to this incident, the fame of Ramdas Swami spread everywhere. The Kulkarni couple offered their first son to Ramdas Swami. That boy was Uddhav Maharaj, the Swami’s first disciple. From here, the lineage of Samarth’s disciples spread across Maharashtra.

While bidding farewell to Takli village to continue his work, Ramdas Swami himself crafted an idol of Hanuman made of Gomay (a mixture of cow dung and soil) and consecrated it. That day was Ram Navami. Thereafter, wherever Samarth established a Math, he bestowed upon it the title of ‘Takli’. He established 12 Hanuman temples throughout Maharashtra. He wrote enlightening literature to raise environmental awareness. To foster an interest in physical fitness among the youth in society, he built Hanuman temples and started yoga classes. He himself performed 1200 Surya Namaskars daily.

The construction of the Math indicates that it is over four hundred years old. The Math is situated right along the flow of the Nandini river. One has to climb a few steps to enter the Math. There is a large tree in the premises, and under it, there is a Shiva Linga and an idol of Nandi on a platform. The Gomay Hanuman temple is 25 x 15 feet. The 9-foot-tall Gomay idol of Hanuman here is unique. An idol of Hanuman with the left hand on the chest and the right hand in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness) is very rare. Uddhav Swami, a disciple of Ramdas Swami, served this temple throughout his life.

On the ground floor below the Gomay Maruti idol is the small cave where Samarth practiced his sadhana, the idol of Rama from his worship, and his resting place. His padukas (footwear) and a meter-long yoga-danda (staff) can also be seen here. In the temple courtyard, there are small temples dedicated to Ram-Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, and Ganpati. The padukas of Ramdas Swami are worshipped here daily. Das Navami, Ram Navami, and Hanuman Jayanti are celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Math.

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