Why devotees come here
Sant Eknath Maharaj Samadhi Mandir stands at Paithan, a town on the Godavari river in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra. It is the samadhi shrine of Saint Eknath, who is believed to have taken jal samadhi in the Godavari here. The temple is said to be over 500 years old.
Saint Eknath is believed to have lived during the latter three-quarters of the 16th century. Legend says he left his body in the Godavari river and took jal samadhi, which means water immersion, at Paithan. A samadhi shrine venerating him now stands near the river.
The Eknath Maharaj Temple is said to be over 500 years old. It remains a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus and draws devotees from all over. Eknath was born at Paithan to Suryanarayan and Rukmini Bai. He wrote Eknathi Bhagavata, a version of the Bhagavata Purana, and is often viewed as a spiritual successor to the Marathi saints Dnyaneshwar and Namdev.
Eknath used the folk art form Bharud to spread his teachings and to criticise social evils in society. Celebrations for him are held in Paithan every year around March. The three-day Nath Shashti festival marks the day he is believed to have taken jal samadhi. When the festival began on a Monday in March 2026, the district collector and his wife performed a puja at the Nath Samadhi Temple in the early hours.
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