Ranganath Maharaj Sansthan

Nhava, Taluka Jalna, District Jalna

The Shri Ranganath Swami Vishranti Math in Nhava, Jalna district, is one of the most significant and sacred spiritual centers in the Marathwada region. This land, sanctified by the presence of Ranganath Swami—revered as a great saint of the modern era—is a place of deep faith for thousands of devotees. The Math, with a long history spanning approximately one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty years, houses the Sanjeevan Samadhi of the Maharaj. By showing the path from worldly indulgence to renunciation, the Maharaj performed great work in awakening the masses. Along with religious rituals, this Math also preserves Indian culture through the Varkari Shikshan Sanstha.

India has been blessed with many saints and mahatmas who have guided society, immersed in material pleasures, toward the path of progress by awakening them to self-realization through the path of renunciation. This unbroken tradition continues to this day. Ranganath Swami’s name is held in high esteem among the lineage of saints who brought society to the righteous path through enlightenment and various miracles. The Samadhi temple of the Maharaj is located in the village of Nhava in Jalna district. This Math is also known as the ‘Anandi Atmanand Saraswati Shri Sant Ranganath Maharaj Vishranti Math’. Even today, thousands of devotees visit this Samadhi for darshan. It is said that this Math was built in the latter half of the nineteenth century during the Maharaj’s lifetime. The Maharaj’s Samadhi was constructed in the year 1915 within this century-old Math.

Ranganath Maharaj was born in his ancestral home in the Kasba area of Jalna on Phalguna Shuddha Ekadashi, Shake 1770, which corresponds to the year 1848. His parents were the Jagirdar of Jalna, Chimnajipant Deshmukh, and Bhagirathi Mata. Ranganath was their second child. An interesting story is told about his birth. The baby did not cry at all until he was two years old, which worried his parents, so they took him to the hujra of the famous Sufi saint Noor Shahwali in Jalna. There, they received Shahbaba’s blessings, and the baby began to cry. Shahbaba had predicted then that this child would grow up to be a great saint. Unfortunately, the Maharaj lost his parents at the age of seven. Thereafter, he was raised by his uncle, Narsinhrao Deshmukh. From childhood, the Maharaj had a longing for solitude and meditation. Seeing that he was neglecting his education and worldly affairs, his uncle sent him away from home. After that, Ranganath Swami went to Paithan. There, he met Sahajanand Swami, a disciple of Chinmayanand. The Maharaj accepted him as his guru, and the Swami gave him the name ‘Anandi Atmanand’. From here, the Maharaj’s travels across India began. During his journeys, he met many yogis and continued to acquire knowledge. He performed rigorous penance for twelve consecutive years on the Surki hill in Jalna, which is now known as Kailas Tekdi. There, he received a divine vision, after which he began social awakening and public service. His devotee base grew due to his miracles. The Maharaj’s life is filled with many spiritual and physical miracles. He established Maths and temples in many places. He attained Mahasamadhi at the age of 67 in the meditation cave here, and his devotees built his Samadhi temple within this Math.

There is a welcome arch for the Math on the main road near Nhava village. There is a large parking area in front of the Math. The Math has strong fortifications like a fort and features a two-story entrance gate. Inside this entrance, there are rooms for guards on both sides. On the second floor of the entrance is the Nagarkhana. Upon entering through the gate, one enters the spacious courtyard of the Math. There are staircases on both sides to go up to the Nagarkhana from this courtyard. Along the fortifications in the courtyard are cloisters and residences for the attendants. In the courtyard, there is a small temple of Shri Dattatreya and a Yajna Kund in front of it. Nearby is a Goshala and the building of the Varkari Shikshan Sanstha. Along the fortification is the Bhakta Niwas building for the accommodation of devotees. In the courtyard, which is paved with paver blocks, seating arrangements have been made for devotees in various places. In the courtyard, in front of the Samadhi temple, there is a sculpture of a lion. The architecture of the Samadhi temple consists of a Sabhamandap and a Garbhagriha. The entrance to the Sabhamandap is slightly elevated from the courtyard. On both sides of the entrance, guardian sculptures and other auspicious symbols are carved. Important episodes from Ranganath Maharaj’s life are depicted as sculptures on the door frame. Above the door, there is a sculpture of Ganpati and an arched toran. On both sides of this toran are sculptures of swans. There are vents in the front wall of the Sabhamandap for light. The Sabhamandap has two more doors on the left and right sides.

Inside the Sabhamandap, along the walls on all four sides, there are platforms about ten feet wide and three feet high, while the central area is slightly sunken. There are steps to descend into this sunken area. In the Sabhamandap, there are stone pillars on the platforms, while there are cement pillars in the sunken area. The stone pillars have carvings and support wooden beams. These beams hold a wooden ceiling. The cement pillars have a cement ceiling. Although the Sabhamandap is enclosed, there are many windows for light. The Palkhi used during festivals is kept here. In front of the Sabhamandap is the main Garbhagriha, which houses Ranganath Swami’s Samadhi. The entrance to this Garbhagriha is four feet higher than the Sabhamandap. There are steps on both sides to reach it. The frame of the Garbhagriha has floral carvings and a sculpture of the presiding deity at the top. In the center of the Garbhagriha is the platform of Ranganath Swami’s Samadhi. On it is a silver idol of the Swami wearing a turban. In the back wall of the Garbhagriha, there is a niche containing the idol of the three-faced Dattatreya, which was installed by Ranganath Swami himself. There is a path outside the Garbhagriha for circumambulation. On the roof of the Garbhagriha, there is a dome-shaped Shikhara topped with a Kalash. Directly in front of Ranganath Swami’s Samadhi temple is the Samadhi temple of his disciple, Saraswati Anand Swami. The design of this temple is simple, consisting only of a Garbhagriha. A brass mask is placed on Saraswati Anand Swami’s Samadhi. This temple also has a dome-shaped Shikhara and a Kalash.

Behind the Samadhi Mandir of Ranganath Maharaj lies the Samadhi Mandir of his disciple, Anandimai Atmanand. This temple is structured with a semi-open Sabha Mandap and a Garbhagriha. Inside the Garbhagriha, an idol is placed upon Anandimai’s Samadhi. In a niche on the back wall, there is an idol of Goddess Tulja Bhavani. This temple also features a circumambulation path (Pradakshina Marg) and a dome-shaped Shikhara. The main annual festivals celebrated here are the Maharaj’s Jayanti ceremony on Phalguna Shuddha Ekadashi and his Punyatithi ceremony on Pausha Vadya Ekadashi. Additionally, grand celebrations are held here for Rama Janmotsav, Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashi, Dattatreya Jayanti, and during the month of Shravana. During these festivals, Bhajans, Kirtans, Pravachans, and Mahaprasada are organized at the temple. The Palkhi procession is the center of attraction here. During festivals, thousands of devotees from the surrounding areas come for Darshan. On every Ekadashi of the year, Palkhis from neighboring villages arrive at this Matha. The temple sees a constant flow of devotees daily, making this place an important spiritual center in Jalna. Devotees can have Darshan here every day from six in the morning until nine at night.

Useful Information

• 21 km from Jalna
• ST bus service available from Jalna
• Private vehicles can reach the temple parking area
• Accommodation and breakfast facilities available in the vicinity
• Contact – Apparao Ghodke, Manager, Mob. 9923325977