H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj who was divinely radiant after performing intense spiritual practice since childhood and who was determined to construct a temple of Shrirama

Prayers a million times at the Holy feet of H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj

H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj and H.H. Rukminibai

1. Residence at Sitemani in the state of Karnataka

H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj lived in Sitemani village in Karnataka state where he has constructed a huge temple of Shrirama. With passage of time as the Almatti dam was to be built there he migrated to Panval a village near the Banda village in Sindhudurg District with natural scenic beauty. Formerly Panval had dense forestation. In 1959 H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj, his wife H.H. Rukmini and son Raghuvir (H.H. Das Maharaj) came to this forest to perform penance. Neither heavy rainfall, lightning nor thick forests prevented them from fulfilling their objective. They commenced spiritual practice in a thatched hut they constructed there. They named this dense forest “Gautamaranya). With merely the retinue of Shrirama (idols of Shrirama, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat and Hanuman) and constant chanting of the Name of Rama they continued their spiritual practice unabated.

H.H. Das Maharaj and H.H. (Mrs.) Lakshmi (Mai) Naik

2. H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj
completing 13 million chanting of Shrirama

H.H. Bhagwan Maharaj had been performing intense austerities since childhood. He had such an extraordinary appearance, a Divine form with radiant eyes, matted hair locks, white beard, white clothing and a rudraksha necklace that anyone would feel like prostrating before Him. He had completed 13 million chanting of the Name of Shrirama. H.H. Ai born in a wealthy family was living as a householder with H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj. Their life signified detachment, sacrifice and unconditional love for all, in fact H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj was merged into Shrirama.

3. Raghuvir possessing a unique relationship with God

Raghuvir, Son of H.H. Ai would obstinately demand for a seat for Shrirama. He would cry seeing Shrirama standing for so long thinking He must be tired. So this temple has Shrirama and Sita idols seated on a throne. H.H. Raghuvir Maharaj (H.H. Das Maharaj) shares a unique relationship with God !

4. Mahanirvan (passing away) of H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj

H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj was exhausted. He left His body in 1965 amidst reading of Valmiki Ramayan, Dasbodh and constant chanting of the Name of Shrirama and the desire to construct a temple for Him. H.H. Ai and Shri Raghuvir Maharaj (H.H. Das Maharaj) continued to live here. In these circumstances with the Holy company of Deity Rama, grace and accumulated merits of H.H. Bhagwandas Maharaj. Their spiritual practice of chanting Shrirama restarted. In 1972 H.H. Rukminiai installed the Shrirama Panchayatan in Panval and fulfilled His last wish.

– Mrs. Shashikala Mahadev Sarpoddar (sister of H.H. (Mrs.) Lakshmi (Mai) Naik), Pune (31.5.2017)