Mahanubhaviya Shri Krishna Mandir

Mehkar, Taluka Mehkar, District Buldana

The Mahanubhav Panth, which advocates for equality by renouncing discrimination, emerged shortly before the time of Saint Dnyaneshwar. The greatness of this sect is described as, “The Mahanubhav Panth is the path of those endowed with brilliance.” Senior scholar Sh. Go. Tulpule notes that this sect, originally known as ‘Paramargi’, was first addressed as ‘Mahanubhav’ by Saint Eknath Maharaj. The period from 1194 to 1282, which marks the era of Chakradhar Swami, is considered a time of glory and prosperity for Maharashtra. At that time, Maharashtra was under the rule of the Yadavas. Every place sanctified by the presence of Chakradhar Swami later became famous as a pilgrimage site. Among these, the Mahanubhaviya Shri Krishna Mandir in Mehkar, Buldana district, is recognized as one of the sites sanctified by the lotus feet of Chakradhar Swami.

The city of Mehkar is situated on the banks of the Painganga River. According to local and mythological belief, the Painganga River was created by Lord Brahma himself during a Yajna. Since this city is located near the Ajanta mountain ranges and on the route connecting North and South India, it was a constant transit point for sages, saints, and travelers. While traveling along this very route, the founder of the Mahanubhav Panth, Sarvadnya Shri Chakradhar Swami, arrived in Mehkar and resided here for ten months. A detailed description of the many Leelas (divine plays) performed by Chakradhar Swami during his stay here can be found in the ‘Leelacharitra’. Thirteen sites sanctified by the footprints of Chakradhar Swami can be seen in this area.

According to mythology, in ancient times, this area was a dense forest where many sages and hermits performed penance and Yajnas. A cruel demon named Meghankar lived in this region. This demon constantly obstructed the sages’ Yajnas, desecrated the sacrificial altars, and occasionally even devoured the sages. Due to his terror, it became difficult to practice Dharma. Responding to the prayers of the sages, Lord Vishnu took an avatar to destroy this demon. In this battle, the Lord used his famous Sharanga (Saranga) bow. The battle was extremely fierce. To counter the demon’s magical powers, the Lord rained arrows from his bow. Because Vishnu held the ‘Sharanga’ bow in this battle, this form of Vishnu came to be known as ‘Sharangdhar’. In the local history of the Mahanubhav Panth and within the temple premises, there is still a place called ‘Sharangdhar Chavala’, which bears witness to this mythological event. It is said that the city of Mehkar derives its name from the corrupted form of this demon’s name, Meghankar.

According to the description in ‘Leelacharitra’, the founder of the Mahanubhav Panth, Shri Chakradhar Swami, while traveling for social and religious reform, arrived near the Baneshwar temple in Mehkar from Anjani in the month of Shravan in Shaka 1189 (1267 AD). It was evening at the time. He sat near the north-facing door of the Baneshwar temple’s plinth. It was then that he met Bonabai. At that time, she was going out for alms. At her request, Chakradhar Swami stayed there. However, fearing that the deity’s ritual items might be stolen, the priest forbade him from sleeping in the Baneshwar temple. Consequently, Chakradhar Swami stayed for three days in the Bhairav temple located behind this temple. On the third day, while he was asleep, some individuals tried to rob him. Their nails scratched Chakradhar Swami’s neck. After this incident, at the request of Bonabai, the priests of the Baneshwar temple granted Chakradhar Swami permission to reside in the temple. He stayed in this temple for ten months.

Near this temple was Bonabai’s cave. On the day of Gokulashtami, Bonabai was making Gokul and Vrindavan out of clay in this cave. At that time, Chakradhar Swami asked, “What are you doing?” Bonabai replied that she was preparing for the Gokulashtami festival. To this, Chakradhar Swami asked, “Is this how Gokulashtami is to be celebrated?” and instructed Bonabai to dress as Devaki. It is mentioned in the ‘Leelacharitra’ that he then gave Bonabai a vision in the form of baby Krishna. (Uttarardha Khand: Leela number 340 ‘Bonabaisidevakipane Shri Krishna Darshan’)

One day, a thief entered Bonabai’s cave. He tied all the belongings into a bundle. Just then, Bonabai tightly closed the door of the cave and shouted loudly for help, “Dhava va Maunyadev ho: Nagvalo: Choru: Choru:” (Run, O Maunyadev! I am being robbed! Thief! Thief!). At that moment, Chakradhar Swami stood near the cave and cleared his throat. When the thief looked back, he saw the image of Chakradhar Swami in a colossal form. Terrified, the thief dropped the bundle of goods and fled, as recorded in the ‘Leelacharitra’. (Uttarardha Khand: Leela number 341 ‘Choru Dandila’)

The Mahanubhaviya Shri Krishna Mandir is small in size. During the renovation carried out a few years ago, a Mandapa (hall) was built in front of the temple. The temple consists of a Sabha Mandapa and a Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). In the inner sanctum, at the back, stands a beautiful idol of Shri Krishna playing the flute, standing on a lotus flower. This is the ‘Avasthan’ (place of stay) and ‘Vasatisthan’ (residence) of Chakradhar Swami. There is a ‘Vishesh’ (special spot) in a corner on the circumambulation path. (The place where an avatar of the Lord resided or rested is called an Avasthan.) This temple also has a door at the back. Upon exiting through this door, one finds the ‘Maunyarup Dharan Sthan’ (Bhairavi Avasthan) directly in front. In the time of Chakradhar Swami, there was a Bhairav temple here. He stayed in this very temple for three days. There is an idol of Shri Krishna here as well. There is also a window viewing spot here.

After taking darshan at the Maunyarup Dharan Sthan and stepping outside, a few steps away is the ‘Shricharan-kshalana Sthan’. This is where Bonabai washed the feet of Chakradhar Swami. A few steps from here is the ‘Vishalrup Dharan Sthan’. It was here that Chakradhar Swami showed his colossal form to the thief. A short distance from this spot is the ‘Chor Nagavne Sthan’. The thief’s cloth fell here while he was fleeing after dropping the bundle. In the temple premises, there was formerly Bonabai’s cave in a room. It was here that Chakradhar Swami gave her a vision of Shri Krishna and also accepted Bonabai’s worship. In this same room are the ‘Arogana (meal) Sthan’ and ‘Madne Sthan’. A short distance from the temple is the ‘Lobhanta Shricharan Sthan’. This is where Chakradhar Swami and Bonabai first met.

Countless followers of the Mahanubhava Panth visit the Mahanubhava Shri Krishna Mandir with deep devotion and also pay their respects at all thirteen holy sites located here. Every year, the Board of Trustees of the Mahanubhava Shri Krishna Mandir and the Sarvajna Yuva Mitra Mandal of the village celebrate the festival of Gokulashtami in this temple with great enthusiasm. On this day, the stories of the birth of Shri Krishna and the divine leelas (pastimes) of Chakradhar Swami from the ‘Leelacharitra’ are recited. This is considered a ‘Dnyanayajna’ (a sacrifice of knowledge). At midnight at 12 o’clock, the birth ceremony of Shri Krishna is performed, followed by the cradle ceremony and Aarti. On this occasion, Mahaprasad is also distributed to the devotees.

Useful Information:

• 1 km from Mehkar Bus Stand
• 70 km from Buldhana
• ST bus services available to Mehkar from many cities in the district
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the vicinity