Shri Dhondiraj Maharaj Samadhi Temple Palu, uka Palus, Sangli

Dhondiram Maharaj of Palus, Sangli, is renowned as a saint who carries forward the rich spiritual legacy of Akkalakot’s Swami Samarth and upholds the tradition of bhajan, pravachan, and naamchintan within the Warkari Sampradaya. Dhondiraj Maharaj, a contemporary of Shirdi’s Sai Baba, Shegaon’s Gajanan Maharaj, and Gondavale’s Gondavalekar Maharaj, was accorded divine status by devotees during his lifetime. The tradition of annadaan (food offering) initiated by Maharaj in the year एक हजार नऊशे पाच continues unbroken to this day. The Yatrotsav celebrated at the Dhondiraj Maharaj Samadhi Mandir is considered a significant religious festival in the district. 

Just as with Shri Sai Baba, there are various conjectures regarding the native village of Dhondiraj Maharaj, but no one can state any definitive information. It is said that Maharaj left His home at the age of twelve. Travelling to different places, He arrived in Palus. According to some, He was forty-five years old when He came to Palus. However, some villagers first beheld Him in the form of a young child, while others saw Him as an elderly person. Maharaj’s arrival in Palus was sudden. Yet, the villagers here feel that His coming to this region was a blessing. His devotees believe that after Maharaj’s arrival, this area was completely transformed. 

According to one legend, a devotee once brought a golden ring for Dhondiraj Maharaj and earnestly requested him to wear it. At that moment, Maharaj put his hand into the satchel on his shoulder and then held that very hand out before the devotee. The devotee, intending to place the ring upon that hand, then… As he extended his hand, he saw that each of Śrī Mahārāj’s fingers was adorned with rings upon rings. There was no space left to wear even one more ring. It is said that Śrī Mahārāj performed this wondrous feat because the devotee felt a certain pride that he was offering a golden ring to Bābā.

According to a second narrative, devotees of Dhondibuva would bring Him many food items to partake of. These would be kept in His jholi, or shoulder-bag. At mealtime, He would place His jholi before Him. At that time, He would offer the food from it to the devotees who were with Him. No matter how many devotees were present, the food in the jholi would never diminish. From this, the annadaan, or food donation, campaign began here. It is said that a person from a noble family in Kolhapur was blessed through the gracious favour of Maharaj. They decided to offer a yearly stipend to Maharaj. The first time this amount reached Him, Maharaj refused to accept it and instead instructed that it be used to prepare and distribute mahaprasad for the devotees. Since then, the arrangement of mahaprasad has been undertaken here.

Due to the spiritual guidance offered by Dhondiraj Maharaj, devotees consider him an incarnation of the Divine. His followers have continued his tradition of spiritual and social work through his samadhi mandir and math, which are located in Palus. Dhondi Maharaj’s temple and math are situated near the main marketplace of Palus. One enters the sabhamandap of this samadhi mandir through an arch-like entrance along the road. As most of Maharaj’s devotees belong to the Warkari sampradaya, regular programmes such as bhajans and pravachans are held in this sabhamandap. In front of this sabhamandap is the samadhi sthan of Dhondiraj Maharaj. Next to it is a murti of Maharaj, adorned with a frame of silver plating. 

Close to the Samādhi Mandir, there is a Maṭh in Mahārāj’s name. In its two-storied, multi-purpose building, a marble idol of Mahārāj has been consecrated. On both sides of this idol are the mūrtis of Śrī Datta, Śaṅkar, and Gaṇapati. And in front is Nandi. It is said that where the marble murti of Maharaj now stands in the matha, there was formerly an Audumbar tree. Dhondiraj Maharaj would often sit beneath that tree. Maharaj attained mahasamadhi on the ninth of May, nineteen hundred and eight. Even then, He was beneath that very tree. 

Dhondiraj Maharaj commenced this pilgrimage in loving remembrance of his revered Guru, Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, and it is now known as the Dhondiraj Maharaj Yatra. This yatra, which takes place on Vaishakh Shuddha Pratipada, includes Gaatha Parayan, Namasmaran Mela, bhajan, kirtan, and annadaan. The kheer distributed here on the day of this festival is considered especially sacred. Preparations for it begin from dawn. All the ingredients for this prasad kheer, which is prepared in an enormous vessel, are lovingly offered by the devotees. Thousands of devotees who come for the festival partake of this kheer.

Our revered Dhondiraj Maharaj attained mahasamadhi in the year one thousand nine hundred and eight, on Vaishakh Shukla Navami. The day before, Dhondiraj Maharaj had taken darshan of all the deities in Palus. In remembrance of this sacred event, a Rathotsav ceremony is organised every year on that very day. On this occasion too, thousands of devotees are present.

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