Gajanan Maharaj Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Nagpur is the nearest major airport, about 316 km from Shegaon.

• By train

  Shegaon Railway Station is the nearest railhead, 1.5 km from the temple. Most trains to Howrah stop there for about 2 to 3 minutes.

• By road

  State buses and private vehicles can take you to the town from nearby cities.

Why devotees come here

The Gajanan Maharaj Temple in Shegaon, Buldhana district, is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. It is dedicated to the saint Gajanan Maharaj, and his samadhi is the focal point of the temple.

Gajanan Maharaj was an Indian Hindu guru, saint and mystic, and the temple honours him. His origins remain uncertain. The temple's account says he appeared in Shegaon on 23 February 1878, seemingly from nowhere.

He attained samadhi on 8 September 1910. The temple was built to honour him, with his samadhi as its focal point. A trust called the Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan was set up on 12 September 1908 with 12 trustees, while the saint was still alive.

The temple blends traditional and modern architectural styles. The Samadhi Mandir, where the saint's resting place lies, is the centrepiece. The Sabha Mandap, a grand hall, has carvings of the saint's life and miracles. Next to the samadhi is the Shri Ram Mandir, where Ram, Sita and Lakshman are enshrined.

Festivals

• Yearly, on the saint's death anniversaryGajanan Maharaj Punyatithi

  Celebrated with great fervor and grandeur.

• Every ThursdayPalkhi Sohala

  The idol of Gajanan Maharaj is carried around the temple in a palanquin.

Tips for your visit

• November to February is the best time to visit, when the weather is cooler.
• Anand Sagar, a 350-acre complex developed by the temple trust, is a nearby attraction with both spiritual and recreational activities.
• The Sabha Mandap has carvings of the saint's life and miracles.

Questions people ask