To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
– Bill
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| Source from Internet |
Akkalkot is a holy place of Shri Swami Samarth Maharaj in Solapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated 40 km southeast of Solapur and very close to the border between Maharsshtra and Karnataka states. Akkalkot Maharaj, recognized by many as an incarnation of Dattatreya, first appeared in Akkalkot in 1856. There he stayed for nearly 23 years.
For the devotees of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, it would be inspiring to learn about the life and deeds of 'Swami Samarth'. A comparative picturisation of the lives of these two great Saints, i.e. Swami Samarth and Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi would establish a surprising amount of commonness in their lives and deeds which includes their methods of teaching, the universality of their approach and the miracles they performed.
ABOUT AKKALKOT MAHARAJ:
As per stated in 'Guru Charitra', Shri Nrusimha Saraswati went away to the Himalayas for doing his Penance. He took his Samadhi there itself. Nearly after about 300 years, a large anthill grew on and around his body. One day, accidentally, a wood cutter came there. While cutting trees, his axe hit the anthill. He was taken aback by the view of blood stains on his axe. He tried and cleared the anthill and lo! he saw a holy sage engrossed in deep meditation. After completion of his meditation, the holy sage opened his eyes. He consoled the shocked woodcutter and told him that it was his divine will to re-appear in this world, to complete his mission of eradicating the evil powers from this universe.
Swami had visted many pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Benaras, Rameshwaram, Puri, etc. Afterwards he visited Mangalvedha (Solapur, Maharashtra), and stayed there for some time. He came to Akkalkot in 1856 and stayed there for the rest of his life i.e. about 23 years.
There are many great disciples of Swami. Some of them are Shri Cholappa, Shri Balappa, Shri Ramanand Beedkar Maharaj, Shri Dev Mamledar, etc. During his stay in Akkalkot, Swami enlightened many lives and showed a ray of hope to innumerable devotees. Swami was known as 'Krupa Sindhu'. He is the third avatar (incarnation) of 'Datta Guru'. Swami was well-versed and knew many Vedic literatures such as the holy Vedas. He performed various miracles to save his devotees from evil powers. He was a MahaYogi - A MahaPurush possessing great spiritual powers.
His devotees and disciples used to chant the mantra - "Shri swami samarth" so as to worship him.
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| Suneel Gudipati at Akkalkot Road, Rail station |
He treated Muslims, Christians and Parsees all alike. His kindness was always bestowed on the poor, needy and the people at the lowest rung of the society. Both Hindus and Muslim festivals like Dusshehra and Moharram etc., used to be celebrated by him. As in Shirdi, Thursday became a special day of celebration at Akkalkot.
He usually sat under a huge Banyan tree on the outskirts of Akkalkot. The news of his arrival to Akkalkot spread like a wildfire. Due to this various dignitaries and famous personalities visited Akkalkot. Swami would always be accompanied by his disciples namely Cholappa and Balappa, wherever he would go. Swami oftenly muttered some phrases which only some were able to understand.
Many people tried to take Swami to their home, but only those became successful who worshiped him truly from the core of their heart. Swami always kept away from worldly things and hence he would donate all the offerings that were made to him, to the poor and helpless. Swami Samarth were Guru (Perceptor) to many great souls like Sai Baba of Shirdi, Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon, Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, etc.
Shri Swami Sut alias Hari Bhau were the most dedicated devotee of Swami Maharaj. Swami Maharaj had blessed him and made him his Sut (Son). Swami ordered him to go to Mumbapuri (Mumbai) and build a Muth (Holy Shrine like Temple) there. Swami also gave him his Silver Padukas and told him to establish them in the Muth. This was an indication that Swami were going to take MahaSamadhi(The last conscious Communion with God).
Swami, according to his earlier indication, were ready to take Samadhi. Before that Maharaj had a keen desire to meet his Sut for the last time. Hence efforts were made to bring Swami Sut back to Akkalkot from Mumbai. But by hearing news of Swami's Samadhi, Swami Sut was shocked and so he decided to end his life prior to that of Swami. And at last he succeeded and took Samadhi before Swami Maharaj. Then on 30th April, 1878 Swami Samarth Maharaj took MahaSamadhi in front of his innumerable devotees. Grief and sorrow spread throughout Akkalkot. Every single person was weeping and grieving.
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| Temple |
A Temple was erected under the Banyan tree where he used to sit. His footwear have bees kept there. Thousands of his followers visit this place throughout the year.
The Samadhi Math (monastery), The Math under the Banyan tree, Shri Balappa Math, The Math of Joshibua, Raja Rai Rayan Math are the five famous places connected to Shri Swami Samartha. The death anniversary of Swamiji is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Trayodashi every year.
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| My parents |
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD:
All the buses and jeeps drop you at the Bhakta Niwas, built by the Devasthan for the convenience of pilgrims. It has basis lodging facilities, with small and big rooms, but only common bathrooms for the whole floor. The premises and the toilets are surprisingly clean, considering that the charge for a whole family (up to 10 people) is around Rs. 150. There is also another Bhakta Niwas, recently built, for people who like to be comfortable, even during a pilgrimage. Here, the rooms all have attached bathrooms, and there are also large rooms for groups. The charges here start from Rs. 250.
Both the complexes have a vegetarian restaurant on the premises. The food is both cheap as well as tasty.
There is also free accommodation and meals are provided to pilgrims by the Shri Swami Samarth Annachhatra Mandal.
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