Shri Mukteshwar Ashram Khamgaon, Khamgaon, Buldana

The Mukteshwar Ashram in Khamgaon is considered a highly sacred and spiritually awakened Shakti Peeth of the Dattatreya tradition. Rashtrasant Pachlegaonkar Maharaj (Shri Sanchareshwar) established this ashram with the noble intention of public welfare. A unique feature of this sacred site is that, after Gangapur and Karanja Lad, this is the only place in all of India where the ‘Nirgun Padukas’ (formless footprints) of Lord Dattatreya are enshrined. The main centers of devotion for devotees at this ashram are the blessed six-armed idol of Lord Dattatreya, personally crafted by Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe Swami), and the ‘Mukteshwar’ form of Lord Shiva. In this ashram, which is blessed with a divine lineage of Gurus, the Nirgun Paduka Mahotsav is celebrated with great devotion every year in the month of Margashirsha.

Saint Pachlegaonkar, who inherited the divine lineage of Vasudevanand Saraswati (Tembe Swami) – Narayan Dattanand Saraswati – Madhavashram Swami, was born on 8 November 1912, on the day of Narak Chaturdashi, to Rajarampant Pande (Kulkarni) and Krishnabai in Pachlegaon, Parbhani. His original name was Narsimha. When Shri Madhavashram Swami once visited Pachlegaon, he gave the young Narsimha the name ‘Sanchareshwar’. In Magh Shuddha 11, Shake 1864 (1942 AD), Pachlegaonkar Maharaj installed Mukteshwar, that is, the Shivalinga (Shalunka), at this ashram in Khamgaon. This is how the ashram came to be named Mukteshwar Ashram. People from various walks of life used to visit Pachlegaonkar Maharaj, including Gadge Maharaj, Tukdoji Maharaj, Gagangiri Maharaj, Acharya Atre, and Go. Ni. Dandekar. Gagangiri Maharaj considered Pachlegaonkar Maharaj his elder brother. On 16 August 1986, on the day of Shravan Shuddha Ekadashi, Pachlegaonkar Maharaj attained Nirvana while undergoing treatment at J. J. Hospital in Mumbai, and his mortal remains were brought to Khamgaon. His last rites were performed in the presence of thousands of followers. Subsequently, his Samadhi temple was built here.

The ashram is located near National College in Khamgaon. One enters the ashram premises through a gate adjacent to the main road. In a small temple near the Audumbar tree by the entrance, there is an idol of Lord Ganesha and a Shivalinga. The structure of the ashram consists of a Sabha Mandap (assembly hall), Antaral (vestibule), Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), and a basement Garbhagriha. The Sabha Mandap houses an image of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj and the palanquin used during festivals. In the Antaral, in front of the entrance to the Garbhagriha, there is an idol of Nandi on a pedestal. In the beautiful shrine within the Garbhagriha, the blessed idol of Lord Dattatreya is placed at the highest level. Below it is the green Shalunka given by the Shankaracharya of Karveer Peeth, Shri Vidyashankar Bharati (Dr. Kurtkoti). Below that is a copper idol of Shiva-Parvati, and beneath that are the Padukas of Narayan Dattanand Saraswati. In front is the Shivalinga of Mukteshwar. To the right of this Pindi is the idol of Lord Shiva, and to the left is the idol of Mother Parvati riding a lion. The idol of Lord Dattatreya here is six-armed and was commissioned by Tembe Swami. It is said that he had instructed that this idol be given to Pachlegaonkar Maharaj after his passing.

In the basement Garbhagriha of this ashram, one can have the darshan of the Nirgun Padukas of Lord Dattatreya. The basement is constructed with marble stone. The Garbhagriha here features a unique crystal idol of Nrusimha Saraswati, with the Nirgun Padukas placed in front of it. Pachlegaonkar Maharaj installed these Padukas on Margashirsha Vadya Dwadashi (in 1968). An idol of Lord Dattatreya is carved into the wall behind the idol of Nrusimha Saraswati. According to the legend associated with the Nirgun Padukas here, one day when Pachlegaonkar Maharaj went to Gangapur, some people prevented him from having darshan of the Nirgun Padukas there. Maharaj left without saying a word, sat under an Audumbar tree in the vicinity, and began his spiritual practice. Meanwhile, during the Aarti, the wick of the lamp would not light despite all efforts. Finally, an elderly person remembered the incident that had occurred earlier and realized the greatness of Maharaj. Later, Shripad Vallabha appeared to Pachlegaonkar Maharaj and ordered him to perform an Anushthana (ritual) for the Padukas. After performing the ritual accordingly, he obtained these Padukas.

In the ashram premises, there is the Samadhi temple of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj, where one can have darshan of his marble idol and Padukas. The residence of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj is also on the ashram premises, where items used by him, such as his Padukas, Kamandalu, and bedding, have been preserved. A Bhakta Niwas (pilgrim lodging) has been built in the area to provide accommodation for followers coming from afar.

Many followers of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj visit the ashram for darshan on Shivratri, Mondays, and Thursdays of every month. Every Monday at 8 PM, a palanquin procession takes place in the premises following the Aarti and worship. It is believed that chanting one rosary here yields the merit of chanting 108 rosaries. Followers believe that this temple is a center for alleviating mental ailments, spiritual afflictions, and negative energies, and is a spiritually awakened place for seekers pursuing self-realization. Since the Nirgun Padukas were installed on Margashirsha Vadya Dwadashi, a grand three-day festival is held here in this month. Devotees perform Anushthana for seven days prior to this. Religious programs like discourses are held during the festival. On the main day of the festival, Margashirsha Shuddha Dwadashi, a collective Rudrabhishek is performed on the idol of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj. His idol is brought to the place of the Nirgun Padukas in the basement. This is followed by the Madhyanha (noon) Aarti and Mahaprasad. In the evening, the palanquin of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj is taken on a village procession. The festival concludes with collective worship and Aarti. Various programs are also held here on Narak Chaturdashi for the birth anniversary of Pachlegaonkar Maharaj and on Shravan Shuddha Ekadashi for his death anniversary.

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