Ajay Kumar at 18:05, 12 August 2023

2023-08-12T18:05:27Z

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{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name = Gagangiri Maharaj
|image = GaganagiriMaharaj 014.jpg
|alt = Gagangiri Maharaj
|caption = Gaganagiri Maharaj Samadhi at Khopoli Ashram
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
|birth_place = Mandure, [[Patan, Maharashtra|Patan]], [[Maharashtra]]
|birth_name = Shripad Ganpatrao Patankar
|birth_date = 30 November 1906
|death_date = 4 February 2008
|death_place = [[Khopoli]], [[Raigad district|Raigad]], [[Maharashtra]]
|nationality = Indian
|honors = Vishva Gaurav, [[Parliament of the World's Religions]]
|founder =
|sect =
|order =
|literary_works =
|influenced =
|signature =
|signature_alt =
|footnotes =
}}

'''Swami Gagangiri Maharaj''' was an Indian [[Hindu]] [[saint]] and [[Guru]] of the [[Nath Sampradaya]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=पाटणकर, श्रीपाद गणपत |url=https://maharashtranayak.in/paatanakara-saraipaada-ganapata |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=महाराष्ट्र नायक |language=en}}</ref> He is one of the most influential [[Hathayoga|Hathayogis]] of modern India. Gagangiri Maharaj was particularly known for his water penance and intense meditation practices. He is considered the incarnation of Adi [[Dattatreya]] himself. Swamiji was a widely revered figure amongst Indian [[sadhus]], [[yogis]] , and saints.

==Life==

Shri Gagangiri Maharaj was born as Shripad Patankar in a village named Mandure in [[Patan, Maharashtra|Patan]], [[Satara district|Satara]] district of [[Maharashtra]]. Patankar family is an imperial family and are direct descendants of the [[Chalukya]] dynasty which once ruled much of South and Central India. At the tender age of seven, he left home and went to a [[Matha]] of Nath sampradaya which was located at Battees-Shirala. At a very early age he took [[Sannyasa]].

After getting initiated in a monastic order he started travelling with various [[Mahant Swami|Mahants]], sages of Nath Sampradaya. Gagangiri maharaj was a child prodigy and mastered several [[shastras]],[[yoga]] and various [[Tantras]] at a very young age. He travelled to far and wide places such as [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], [[Manas Sarovar]], [[Gaurishankar]], Gorakshdarbar, [[Gorakhpur]], [[Pashupatinath Temple|Pashupatinath]] and returned to [[Almora]]. Finally, he travelled through the Valley of Ganga, [[Himachal Pradesh]] and reached [[Badrinath|Badrika Ashram]].

Gagangiri Maharaj was extremely tired as a result of his peregrinations and he decided to rest in a cave. When he was relaxing, a sage wearing saffron robes came there from the mountains. He sprinkled water from his [[kamandalu]], on the face of Gagangiri Maharaj. He also gave him some kind of green grass to eat which resembled [[coriander]] leaves. For his [[penance]], he had prepared mattresses of grass. He found his mattresses growing like living vegetation. This was considered as an experience, where [[Tantra|Tantrik]] technique is perfected. He did a number of [[Kayakalpa|Kaya Kalpas]]. In this process he invented several new concepts in Tantrik techniques and proved them true. He did penance at a number of places like Mauli Kund, Mauli Kada, Zanzu water, Mausame Kada, Kasarbari, Ginger water, Sat-barkund, Holi Kada, Margaj water, Jungledeo patti, Shirale etc.

During monsoon, he stayed in the cave at Garbhagiri, Gagangiri. He did penance in a pond near the river at Sangashi, Vazar, Vesraf, Palsambe, Ramling etc. Later he went to [[Vijaydurg (city)|Vijaydurg]], in the Konkan area from where he reached [[Bombay]] by steamer. During 1945 to 1948, he did Kayakalpa at Angale, near Rajapur in Konkan. As more and more people benefited by his meditation, more and more people started worshipping and respecting him, and his reputation spread all around. Maharaj ji was followed by various high-ranking officials and ministers like [[Yashwantrao Chavan]], [[Balasaheb Desai]], [[Rajarambapu Patil]], [[Patangrao Kadam]]

Swamiji then decided to travel all over India alone on foot and accordingly his journey started. At this time, his fair skin was glowing with health. Attired in saffron robes of a sanyasi, young and wise, Swamiji was revered by people. He travelled on foot from Haridwar to Delhi, Bhopal, etc.
At [[Bhopal]] while he was taking rest after bath near a tank, the princely ruler of Kolhapur and his retinue happened to be nearby while on a brief visit. Swamiji's mother tongue being Marathi, a conversation between him and [[Kolhapur]] ruler's retinue ensued resulting in the ruler requesting Swamiji to accompany him to Kolhapur. In 1932 the Raja of Kolhapur had been to [[Dajipur]] jungle for hunting. Swamiji who had accompanied him stayed back in the jungle, where he lived from 1932 to 1940. He spent these years in meditation and deep reflection. In Bombay between 1948 and 1950, he stayed in Dadi Hirji Parsi graveyards, near the temple of Maruti, at shidi near [[Walkeshwar]]. [[Guru pournima]] (full moon day of Ashadha month for worshipping the Guru) used to be celebrated on a big scale at [[Birla Kreeda Kendra]] in [[Bombay]]. In spite of all these preoccupations in respect of the society, he continued his penance for over 60 years. Maharaj also called upon thwasuth to come forward and revive the glory of [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fR41AAAAIAAJ|title=Hindu Vishva|date=1980|language=en}}</ref> He was awarded "Vishwagaurav Vibhushan" by the [[Parliament of the World's Religions]].

==Teachings==
Gagangiri Maharaj was an active [[environmentalist]] seer. He preached and spread awareness about the conservation and protection of the environment. His teachings emphasized on living in a harmonious relationship with nature and preserving it.

==Ashrams and devotees==
Gagangiri Maharaj used to travel between his ashrams in [[Khopoli]] and Gaganbawda. In [[Malad]] Ashram, devotees light lamps on the occasion of [[Sharad Purnima|Kojagiri Purnima]] each year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-06 |title=Bright and beautiful: Mumbai lit up on Kojagiri Purnima |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/mumbai-news/bright-and-beautiful-mumbai-lit-up-on-kojagiri-purnima/photo-Fo1HaNyOnhrmVlCJ5jpkSI.html |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ऑनलाईन |first=सामना |title=गगनगिरी महाराज चॅरिटेबल ट्रस्टच्या जमिनीच्या भाडेपट्ट्याचे नुतनीकरण {{!}} Saamana (सामना) |date=20 April 2022 |url=https://www.saamana.com/gagangiri-maharaj-charitable-trust-land-rent-renovation/ |access-date=2023-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> He has a huge number of devotees in the states of [[Maharashtra]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Gujarat]], [[Goa]], [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]] , and [[Andhra Pradesh]]. His ashrams are located in Maharashtra, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh. He had devotees like [[Dhirubhai Ambani]], [[Bal Keshav Thackeray|Bal Thackeray]], Mamata [[Mamta Kulkarni|Kulkarni]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tYEMAQAAMAAJ|title=Bal Keshav Thackeray: a photobiography|last1=Thackeray|first1=Raj|last2=Mishra|first2=Ambarish|date=2005-01-01|publisher=UBS Publishers and Distributors|isbn=9788174765383|language=en}}</ref> Interestingly, the rosary of rudraksha which Balasaheb generally held in his hands was a blessing given to him by Gagangiri Maharaj.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWduAAAAMAAJ|title=Thackeray, life & style|last=Mahārāva|first=Jñāneśa|date=2001|publisher=Pushpa Prakashan|isbn=9788174480927|language=en}}</ref>

Maharaj took Mahasamadhi<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Gagangiri-Maharaj-dead/articleshow/2756979.cms|title=Gagangiri Maharaj dead - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-08-04}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Sumiet Talekar|title=H. H. Gagangiri ~ Maha Nirvaan / Sumiet23|date=2012-01-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tix_C7pfkK8|access-date=2018-08-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=अध्यात्मिक गुरू गगनगिरी महाराज यांचे निधन |url=https://maharashtratimes.com/-/articleshow/2754735.cms |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=Maharashtra Times |language=mr}}</ref> on 4 February 2008 at 3:30 a.m.during [[Brahmamuhurtha]] at his Ashram in [[Khopoli]].{{fact|date=May 2023}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.gagangiri.org/ Gagangiri Maharaj Official Website]
* {{imdbtitle|14084292|Jai Jai Gagangiri Maharaj}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maharaj, Gagangiri}}
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian philosophers]]
[[Category:20th-century Hindu philosophers and theologians]]
[[Category:Hindu revivalists]]
[[Category:20th-century Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Indian Hindu saints]]

Gagangiri Maharaj - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 18:05, 12 August 2023