Chakradhar Swami Temple

Hartala, Taluka Muktainagar, District Jalgaon 

Maharashtra is the land of action of Shri Krishna-avatari Chakradhar Swami, a great reformist saint of Maharashtra and the founder of the Mahanubhava sect. He had commanded his followers to ‘be Maharashtrian’. Similarly, he bestowed the status of a religious language upon the Marathi language. He traveled and resided in various places throughout Maharashtra. The places where his lotus feet touched are as sacred as pilgrimage sites for the Mahanubhavas. One such place in Khandesh is Hartala. At this location, there is a site marked by the footprints of Chakradhar Swami as well as his temple. 

The era of Sarvajna Chakradhar Swami dates back to the twelfth century. He witnessed the reigns of the Yadava kings of Devagiri, namely Kanharadeva, Mahadeva, Amanadeva, and Ramadeva. It is the belief of the sect that he is an incarnation of Shri Krishna. After he departed for the ‘Uttarapantha Prayan’, his chief disciple, Nagadevacharya, compiled the various episodes (Leelas) of his life, as well as the philosophy expounded by Chakradhar. The knowledge of the meaning was described, and Mhaimbhat recorded it. Along with this, Mhaimbhat traveled to every place where the Swami had been and collected His divine acts (Leelas). This work continued until the middle of the year 1200 Shaka. From this, the first biographical work in Marathi, ‘Leelacharitra’, was realized. According to this text, Chakradhar was born in Bharuch, Gujarat. 

In those days, Gujarat was known as the Lata region. Chakradhar was born to Emperor Vishaldev and Empress Malhandevi of the Kshatriya Rajput Solanki clan in this land. His name in the cradle was Harpaldev. In the year 1210, Kholeshwar, a general of Singhandev Yadav, invaded the Lata region. At that time, Harpaldev was 23-24 years old. Seeing the defeat of the Gurjar army in this battle, Prince Harpaldev took the reins of the battle into his own hands. Inspired by his leadership and valor, the Yadav army was defeated. However, Harpaldev was deeply distressed by the loss of life in that war. That grief affected his health, and he passed away. Amidst a sorrowful atmosphere, his mortal remains were taken to the cremation ground for the final rites. However, a great miracle occurred there. When Emperor Vishaldev removed the cloth from Harpaldev’s face to have a final look at him on the funeral pyre, he saw that his eyes were open. But he was no longer the same as before. His mind had embraced renunciation. In such a state, one day, thinking that “the connection with one’s own relatives is especially to be abandoned,” he severed his ties with Gujarat and his kin forever. At Riddhapur, he had the darshan of Shri Govindprabhu. He gave Harpaldev the name Chakradhar. During this period of detachment, he traveled everywhere. Seeing his teachings and miracles during this time, many people became his followers. 

During this era, a religion laden with rituals had taken hold in society in the name of Vedic religion. True religion had faded, and a facade of external observances had become rampant. In this situation, Chakradhar Swami performed the noble work of social upliftment. Challenging the rigid Chaturvarna system, he gave the message that everyone, including women and Shudras, has the right to religion and salvation. He founded the Mahanubhav Panth, which bears witness to social equality. 

During his travels through Maharashtra, it is said that while journeying from the village of Changdev in Khandesh to Savaldbara, he stopped at Hartala. Although Hartala is not explicitly mentioned in Mhaimbhatta’s ‘Leelacharitra’ or the ‘Sthan Pothi’ of the Mahanubhav sect, according to local belief, it is considered that he resided in Dudhala and Hartala, which are near Changdev. In the first part of the ‘Leelacharitra’, there is the four hundred twentieth leela titled ‘Margi Vyaghru Pathi Ene’. While traveling from Changdev towards Savaldbara, he encountered a tiger on the path. His disciples, including Sauma and Baisa, were with him. They were all frightened. However, Sarvadnya Chakradhar Swami said, “Lady, do not be afraid; this one will not harm anyone.” As he began to walk, the tiger started following him. Upon reaching the vicinity of a village, Chakradhar Swami stood still and said to the tiger, “Mahatma, now go.” Following this, the tiger departed from there. It is believed that this incident occurred in the Hartala region . 

To the east of Hartala village, on a high ground by a pond, stands the temple of Chakradhar Swami. The temple premises feature a large entrance gate. A short distance from here is a modernly constructed temple of the Swami. The temple has a spacious and open assembly hall. In front of the assembly hall is an open sub-assembly hall. Here, in the frontal section, four large hexagonal pillars that taper towards the top are connected by arched gateways. Beyond this lies the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It has an entrance with intricate carvings. The sentence “Aapko Pujari Ji Ka Dandavat Pranam Hai” inscribed above it draws attention. Inside, the idol of Chakradhar Swami is seated on a wooden throne. The idol has a brass mask. With radiant eyes, a sharp nose, and a mustache on the lips, the idol wears a crown adorned with crocodile-shaped earrings. The idol is draped in a Khandeshi-style shawl. There are various flower garlands around the neck. The cloth-covered platform in front of the idol is said to be the seat of the Swami. 

To the left of this temple, at some distance, there is a flight of steps leading downwards. There lies the temple which served as the Swami’s dining place. It is said that the Swami partook in alms-food at this spot located on the bank of the pond. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, there is a high, cloth-covered platform in the center. Adjacent to it is the idol of the Swami in a gesture of blessing. This temple features a large hexagonal spire topped with a four-tiered pinnacle. The renovation of this temple was carried out in 1986. 

Followers of the Mahanubhava sect visit this site, sanctified by the presence of Chakradhar Swami, in large numbers for darshan. The Sarvajna Shri Chakradhar Swami Avatar Din Jayanti festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm on the first and second days of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada. Within the premises of the Chakradhar Swami temple, there is a newly constructed Dattatreya temple. Here, a temple of Saibaba has been built on an island in the middle of the pond. In the same vicinity, there is a Shravanbal temple and an ancient Shivshakti temple.

Useful Information

• Approximately 58 km from Jalgaon and 8 km from Muktainagar
• ST bus facility available from Muktainagar
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• No bed and breakfast facility available in the vicinity