Gajanan Maharaj Temple at Penn, Maharashtra
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Smruti Mandir and Rugnasevashram is located near Penn town on the Mumbai-Goa Highway. The mandir is about five minutes walk towards Vadkhal Naka from Ramvadi bus depot.
It is a two storied structure with a stilt area on the ground floor with the Mandir and Garbagruha on the first floor where a 3 ½ feet marble idol of Shri Gajanan Maharaj has been installed. The second floor has a community hall for social activities of the trust.
The trust is a registered body with the Charity Commissioner, Dist. Raigad. The accounts of the trust are audited each year and submitted to the authorities.
The mandir was established in the year 1977 by Late Shri Anant Vishnu Ghaisas (fondly known as Anna by his kith and kin).
The story behind the start up of the trust is very inspiring and evokes a feeling of devotion amongst all followers.
During Anna’s visit to Shegaon in 1975-76, at night while he was fast asleep, Shri Gajanan Maharaj appeared in his dream and instructed him to build a place for him in Penn and a specific survey number 43/44 was also informed to him.
( Incidentally and by a strange coincidence, the survey No mentioned in Gajanan Vijay is also 43/45 , which was selected by Maharaj and for which the Collector of Buldana granted the land for the math)
On returning to Penn, Anna found that the referred survey no. was a barren plot of Government land. He then formed a public trust and got the land allocated from the Govt. of Maharashtra.
Limitations were many, there was no money/resources, age was also not on his side (he was already 64 years old). But, his determination was enormous. Anna belonged to a poor (lower middle class) family, but with the blessings and invincible backing of Shri Gajanan Maharaj the papers started moving, donations were collected and the mandir was established in a short span of 18 months.
The idol of Shri Gajanan Maharaj was then cast in cement by a local sculptor in Penn.
The establishment of this trust came about as a result of untiring physical efforts, unlimited bhakti, empathy and support of the fellow beings and seemingly unlimited stamina to weather all odds.
Later, a few rooms were added for usage as a medical clinic and dispensary, Pre-primary School and for meditation. Further, 3 more rooms were constructed above these rooms. The trust has also started a small library of religious texts and scriptures.
A Well as also a Borewell , were dug in the premises in order to provide water.
Anna eventually passed away in 1986. To honour Anna’s last wish, the devotees generously donated to get a marble statue (currently installed ) in the mandir.
In the year 2001, the trustees decided to rebuild the old temple and nearby rooms with the intension of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the temple – in the new Vastu.( holy premises)
The trust received excellent co-operation from experts like Architects, RCC consultants, Civil contractors, Advocates, Suppliers and devotees from Mumbai, Pune to Ratnagiri. It took approx a year to demolish the old structure and reconstruct the new mandir, admeasuring 3000 sq. ft. Undoubtedly, this couldn’t have been possible without the blessings of Shri Gajanan Maharaj !
From the very beginning the trust celebrates Shri Gajanan Maharaj Pragat Din, Samadhi Din and Guru Poornima, as per the Hindu calendar. Other functions include Maha Pooja, Satyanarayana Pooja, Maha Prasad, Bhajan, kirtan, Namasmarans and Shri Gajanan Vijay Granth (Pothi) vachan. Almost 1000 – 5000 people make it a point to attend these functions.
The trust has futuristic plans to establish a home for the aged, an orphanage and a full fledged primary school. Long term projections include a hospital with atleast 50 beds.
Every activity will require huge funds. Hence the trust is on a fund raising drive. The trust solicits support and cooperation from devotees . The trust receives donations by cash or thru DD or crossed cheque, money order payable at Penn. Enquiries may please be made to the following :
Shri S.A. Ghaisas (Manager)
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Smruti Mandir and Rugnasevashram Trust
Khachar
Ramvadi,
Post Pen,
Dist. Raigad (Maharashtra)
India
It is a two storied structure with a stilt area on the ground floor with the Mandir and Garbagruha on the first floor where a 3 ½ feet marble idol of Shri Gajanan Maharaj has been installed. The second floor has a community hall for social activities of the trust.
The trust is a registered body with the Charity Commissioner, Dist. Raigad. The accounts of the trust are audited each year and submitted to the authorities.
The mandir was established in the year 1977 by Late Shri Anant Vishnu Ghaisas (fondly known as Anna by his kith and kin).
The story behind the start up of the trust is very inspiring and evokes a feeling of devotion amongst all followers.
During Anna’s visit to Shegaon in 1975-76, at night while he was fast asleep, Shri Gajanan Maharaj appeared in his dream and instructed him to build a place for him in Penn and a specific survey number 43/44 was also informed to him.
( Incidentally and by a strange coincidence, the survey No mentioned in Gajanan Vijay is also 43/45 , which was selected by Maharaj and for which the Collector of Buldana granted the land for the math)
On returning to Penn, Anna found that the referred survey no. was a barren plot of Government land. He then formed a public trust and got the land allocated from the Govt. of Maharashtra.
Limitations were many, there was no money/resources, age was also not on his side (he was already 64 years old). But, his determination was enormous. Anna belonged to a poor (lower middle class) family, but with the blessings and invincible backing of Shri Gajanan Maharaj the papers started moving, donations were collected and the mandir was established in a short span of 18 months.
The idol of Shri Gajanan Maharaj was then cast in cement by a local sculptor in Penn.
The establishment of this trust came about as a result of untiring physical efforts, unlimited bhakti, empathy and support of the fellow beings and seemingly unlimited stamina to weather all odds.
Later, a few rooms were added for usage as a medical clinic and dispensary, Pre-primary School and for meditation. Further, 3 more rooms were constructed above these rooms. The trust has also started a small library of religious texts and scriptures.
A Well as also a Borewell , were dug in the premises in order to provide water.
Anna eventually passed away in 1986. To honour Anna’s last wish, the devotees generously donated to get a marble statue (currently installed ) in the mandir.
In the year 2001, the trustees decided to rebuild the old temple and nearby rooms with the intension of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the temple – in the new Vastu.( holy premises)
The trust received excellent co-operation from experts like Architects, RCC consultants, Civil contractors, Advocates, Suppliers and devotees from Mumbai, Pune to Ratnagiri. It took approx a year to demolish the old structure and reconstruct the new mandir, admeasuring 3000 sq. ft. Undoubtedly, this couldn’t have been possible without the blessings of Shri Gajanan Maharaj !
From the very beginning the trust celebrates Shri Gajanan Maharaj Pragat Din, Samadhi Din and Guru Poornima, as per the Hindu calendar. Other functions include Maha Pooja, Satyanarayana Pooja, Maha Prasad, Bhajan, kirtan, Namasmarans and Shri Gajanan Vijay Granth (Pothi) vachan. Almost 1000 – 5000 people make it a point to attend these functions.
The trust has futuristic plans to establish a home for the aged, an orphanage and a full fledged primary school. Long term projections include a hospital with atleast 50 beds.
Every activity will require huge funds. Hence the trust is on a fund raising drive. The trust solicits support and cooperation from devotees . The trust receives donations by cash or thru DD or crossed cheque, money order payable at Penn. Enquiries may please be made to the following :
Shri S.A. Ghaisas (Manager)
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Smruti Mandir and Rugnasevashram Trust
Khachar
Ramvadi,
Post Pen,
Dist. Raigad (Maharashtra)
India
posted by Nitin G Gokarn @ 9:42 AM
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