Saint Janabai Birthplace Temple

Gangakhed, Taluka Gangakhed, District Parbhani

“Vithu majha lekurvala, sange gopalancha mela” (My Vitthal is surrounded by children, accompanied by a gathering of cowherds). The birthplace of Saint Janabai, who was part of the saintly gathering mentioned in this famous Abhang by Saint Namdev and who herself composed many Abhangs, is in the town of Gangakhed in the Parbhani district. This town is situated on the southern bank of the Godavari River. Saint Janabai, who referred to herself as the “maidservant of Namdev,” was a supreme devotee of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur. Legend has it that Lord Vitthal himself used to assist her in her daily chores. Janabai, who would even argue with Lord Pandurang when the occasion arose, is renowned throughout Maharashtra for her Abhangs and other compositions written in simple, accessible language. A beautiful temple has been erected in the birthplace of Saint Janabai, who attained Samadhi right at the main entrance of the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. Countless followers of the Warkari tradition, as well as many devotees visiting Gangakhed, come to this temple for Darshan.

Parbhani district, famous in ancient times as ‘Prabhavati Nagari’, is known as the city of saints. This entire region possesses a rich historical and spiritual background. Saints and great personalities such as Visoba Khechar, Sant Namdev, Bhaskarbhatt Borikar, Ranganath Swami Mogarikar, Shirdi Sai Baba, Nivruttibuva Thakur, Tukaram Maharaj (Yelegavkar), Yoganand Saraswati Maharaj alias Ganda Maharaj, Sant Kavi Yoganand Swami Maharaj, Shrikrishnaji Maharaj, Sakharam Maharaj, and Shukanand Maharaj have graced this land. Sant Janabai is one of them. Sant Janabai, a supreme devotee of Sant Namdev, was born in the thirteenth century into a family residing in Rajendra Peth of Gangakhed village. Her father’s name was Dama and her mother’s name was Karund. This couple, being supreme devotees of Vitthal, regularly performed the pilgrimage to Pandharpur.

After many years of marriage without children, this couple once prayed to Lord Vitthala for progeny during the Pandharpur Wari. That very night, Lord Vitthala appeared to Dama in a dream and gave a divine revelation: “You will not have a son.” However, a highly virtuous daughter will be born to your wife. She will uplift your lineage. In the Krita Yuga, she was Padmini. Since she is destined to have a connection with Saint Namdev in the future, entrust this girl to Damashet, the father of Namdev in Pandharpur,” Lord Vitthal told Dama. Accordingly, Janabai was born in Dama’s house. After his wife’s passing, Dama, following Lord Vitthal’s command, placed Janabai in the care of Damaji Shimpi, who resided in Pandharpur. Later, Dama also passed away. Consequently, Janabai grew up in the household of Damaji Shimpi. Damaji Shimpi’s entire family was devoted to Lord Vitthal. The principles and thoughts of the Warkari Sampradaya were observed in their household. Damaji’s family consisted of fourteen members. Damaji cared for Janabai like his own daughter. Due to her good and devout nature, Janabai soon became a member of this family. She would perform all the chores that fell to her in this house. Namdev, the son of Damaji Shimpi, was five to seven years younger than Janabai. Janabai used to call herself the ‘servant of Namdev’. Living in the company of Saint Namdev, Janabai also became deeply absorbed in the devotion of Lord Vitthal. Saint Namdev was her spiritual guru. Her lineage of gurus follows the order of Saint Dnyaneshwar, Visoba Khechar, Saint Namdev, and Saint Janabai. Saint Janabai had personally seen almost all the saints from the era of Saint Dnyaneshwar.

While working in Namdev’s household, Lord Vitthal Himself would often assist Janabai. Many legends are famous, such as Him making bhakris on the hearth and feeding them to Vitthal. Once, the priests of the Pandharpur temple accused her of stealing the deity’s ornaments. Janabai stated, “Lord Vithuraya was sleeping at my home the previous day. He must have left the ornament behind.” However, the people did not believe her. She was sentenced to be hanged. It is said that as Saint Janabai gazed intently at the iron pillar where the execution was to take place and sang the praises of the Lord, the pillar melted and flowed away into the river. The abhang “Dharila Pandharicha Chor” is famous, originating from the incident where she was accused of stealing the ornaments. Through that abhang, she explains that she did not steal gold or coins, but rather stole Lord Vithuraya and locked Him within her heart.

Saint Janabai, who had no formal schooling, composed Abhangs and other literary works in a simple language that the common people could easily understand. Many of Saint Janabai’s Abhangs are included in the ‘Namdev Gatha’. There is a legend that among the hundred crore Abhangs of Saint Namdev, there are twelve and a half crore Abhangs by Janabai. However, in the present day, the number of her available Abhangs is not more than three hundred. She did not compose her Abhangs with the conscious intent of being a poet; it is said that her inner feelings naturally flowed out in poetic form. Her Abhangs express deep reverence for Saint Namdev, heartfelt calls to Lord Vitthal, respect for the greatness of Saint Dnyaneshwar, and devotion towards Saint Chokhamela. Her language touches the hearts of ordinary people. She also composed poems that reflect upon the lives and virtues of contemporary saints such as Saint Dnyandev, Saint Namdev, Saint Sopankaka, Saint Goroba, Saint Chokhamela, and Saint Senamaharaj. Even today, thousands of women in the villages of Maharashtra sing her Ovis while grinding grain on the hand mill or pounding grain. Her poetry prominently displays love, tender gentleness, endurance, a spirit of sacrifice, dedication, and sentiments regarding womanhood. Works such as ‘Krishnajanma’, ‘Thalipak’, ‘Prahladcharitra’, ‘Balkrida’, and ‘Harishchandrakhyan’ are also attributed to her. It is said that the narratives of ‘Thalipak’ and ‘Draupadi Swayamvar’ inspired the great poet Mukteshwar, the grandson of Saint Eknath. In the year 1272 of the Shaka era, on the day of Ashadha Krishna Trayodashi, he attained Samadhi in front of the main entrance of the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur.

In Maharashtra, three temples of Saint Janabai are famous. One of these temples is in Gangakhed, while the second temple is in Pandharpur, which was her place of work. There is also a temple of Saint Janabai in Alandi, the saint who requested Saint Dnyandev to be born as her child in the words, “Maroniya jave, ba majhya poti yave.” A committee was established in the village in 1954 to build this memorial temple of Saint Janabai in Gangakhed. For this memorial, the place where the Kapila River meets the Godavari River outside the city of Gangakhed was chosen. Initially, the padukas (footprints) of Saint Janabai were consecrated on a small platform. Now, a large temple has been built at this site. This temple is at a stone’s throw from the Gangakhed railway station.

This memorial temple stands at a short distance from the village temple arch. The structure of this temple consists of a sabhamandap (assembly hall) and a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). Outside the temple, on the left side, there is a large tulsi vrindavan. There are many pillars in the center of the sabhamandap. The palkhi (palanquin) of Saint Janabai is also kept here. Upon entering the garbhagriha, one first sees the silver padukas of Saint Janabai. On the platform behind them, in the center, are the idols of Janabai and Vithuraya, who helped her grind grain on the grinding stone. To the left of these idols is the idol of Saint Namdev, and to the right is the idol of Saint Motiram Maharaj, who took the initiative to build this memorial temple. On the platform against the back wall are the idols of Vitthal and Rukhumai. To the left of these idols, in a glass-enclosed cupboard, are copper idols of Janabai and Vithuraya helping her grind grain. On the pradakshina path (circumambulation path), on the left side, is the samadhi of Ha. Bha. Pa. Maruti Maharaj Dastapurkar. To the right of the garbhagriha, one can see the samadhi of Saint Motiram Maharaj. On the platform behind it are idols of Hanuman, Ganesh, and Vitthal-Rukhumai. There is also a shivling here.

Many villagers visit here regularly for darshan. Countless followers of the Warkari sect visit here with devotion. In the temple, veena players constantly play the veena. Various religious programs are organized here throughout the year. These programs include bhajans, kirtans, and Harinam Saptah. Every year on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, a palkhi procession on foot goes from this temple to Pandharpur. This palkhi festival started in 1972. Devotees can take darshan in this temple every day from five in the morning until nine at night.

Useful Information

• 1 km from Gangakhed ST bus stand
• 38 km from Parbhani city
• ST bus facility available to Gangakhed from many cities in the district
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the area