Alandi Jnanshewar Temple: History, Timings, and Darshan

With his discourse, Matsyendranath Gorakshanath gained great popularity and attracted many educated young men into the cult. Among these people who started preaching and visited several sites in his desa paryatana was Gahinath. Some of the followers, on reaching eminence and developing to the level of sainthood, started the deserving aspirants, much as in the phenomenon of magnetism via induction. The sampradaya thus developed in all directions and gave the creator credit. From various texts written by Matsycndranath, the Nath sampradaya draws power and nourishment They are also numerous and authoritative.
Matsyendranath goes by Meenanath, maybe duc from his birth from a fish. Mahavishnu must have had some carthy master, even if he was born into the Bhakti cult. Therefore, he began his initiative under Jalandaranath. Nearly every corner of India claimed him, as he spent his entire life touring and preaching.
Gahinath started several young, educated men to spread the word to the four corners of the earth. Among them, Nivrithinath was one, whose natural talents and inventiveness set many sparks and illuminated the whole Bharat. From his brother Nivrittinath at Brahmagiri, known by another name, Triyambak, Saint Jnaneswar received his initiation.

Alandi Jnanshewar Temple: History

Tradition has it that Jnaneswar reached samadhi among his many devotees on the 13th day of the dark half of Karthik in the Saka year 1218. Not then was there any construction of the present kind. After 300 years of exile, Eknath Maharaj changed the Jnaneswari and discovered the samadhi, which he erected around the saint’s glory. With its architectural grandeur and size, the existing temple is remarkable. Built by Diwan of Nizam, Shinde, Deshpande, and Peshwas, it boasts three majestic gates: Mahadwar facing the north, Ganesh Dwar facing west, and Hanuman Dwar facing east. Apart from darshan, the somewhat large rooms and courtyards offer several conveniences for meditation. Particularly lovely and large are the Veena Mandap and the Karanja Mandap. Except for those of Vithoba and Rakhumai in a particular niche in the wall right above the samadhi, the hall honoring the samadhi is devoid of images on walls or ceilings. Besides the peace that permeates the entire shrine, the spick and span bends the heads of the guests and presents the great figure of Jnaneswar preaching the Advaitic philosophy before the mental eye.

Praying on Ekadasi falling in November or December provides instant merit, it is thought. On this day, thousands come for darshan and participate in many unique prayer rituals. The sublimity permeating the metal image placed above Samadhi with flowers and brilliant draperies detains the devotees for extended periods. The adornment of the metal picture is particularly attractive. Another benefit that improves the purity of the garbhagriha is the lack of paraphernalia.

Sivalinga reveredThere are many more items there that hold guests in the temple for extended stays. Among them, Sidheshwar Temple leads others. It stands next to Jnaneswar’s Samadhi. From the Vedic times, the Sivalinga today has existed. Though Maharashtrian traditions welcome the gaze of the guests, the devotional services provided here follow the Saivaag ma. Nestled at the entryway through which Jnaneswar originally entered and subsequently had his Samadhi constructed in a lovely raised mandapa, Nandi is really large. The Ajan tree resting next to Samadhi’s wall of garbhagriha catches people’s eye. Saint Eknath, who visited this sacred spot three hundred years after Jnaneswar’s arrival, is thought to have discovered the tree invading the temple’s walls and other areas. He chopped off a root of the tree to hinder its continued habitation, but the Samadhi found evergreen cover from its long, spreading limbs. Some aspirants for higher siddhi attend and spend hours reading the writings of Jnaneswar while sitting in the shade, feeling inspired, either for composition or mental peace.