Information of Santram Mandir, Nadiad, Kheda, Gujarat

Santram Mandir is a popular temple located in Nadiad city of Gujarat. The temple is dedicated to Santram Maharaj who is regarded as a divine person in Gujarat. Santram Mandir was the residence of Santram Maharaj for a long time. The temple is renowned for religious along with social activities for deprived individuals. It also organise various cultural programs.

Santram Mandir Religious Significance

There is no specific historical records demonstrating the life and activities of Santram Maharaj. Whatever is known about him was conveyed through word of mouth from one generation to another. Devotees intensely believe that Santram Maharaj is the manifestation of lord Dattatraya and has materialised in the Girnar mountain of Gujarat. It is supposed that he wandered from Gimar Mountain to southern portion of Gujarat and from there to Nadiad city. Through his course he enlightened several devotees with his proselytization and explanation of religion.

In Nadiad, Santram Maharaj decided to stay with nature. On that time, a trunk of a farmer named Poojabhai Patel became his residence. In that trunk, Santram Maharaj used to meditate. Throughout his lifespan, he demonstrated various miracles for people. Due to his magical power, Santram Maharaj soon become popular and devotees started to drop by that place and worship him. With countless number of devotees always adjoining him, Santram Maharaj decided to leave that place for lack of privacy for meditation. However, Poojabhai claimed him to stay and provide the people a celestial chance to serve Santram Maharaj. Satisfied by Poojabhai's generous behaviour, Santram Maharaj promised him that he will not leave the place without notifying.

After 15 years of service to devotees, Santram Maharaj decided the full moon day of Posha in Hindu calendar as the day for his parting from the earth. However, due to the promise made with Poojabhai, Santram Maharaj sent anenvoy to him in order to seek permission to move to his final journey. Poojabhai requested Santram Maharaj to delay his last journey for few days. Therefore, Maha Punima day was decided when Santram Maharaj will depart from the material world.

Nowadays, mumerous devotees offer prayers in Santram Mandir, particularly on Thursday, full moon day and Ekadashi of Bengal calendar in reverence to Santram Maharaj. Traditionally, devotees irrespective of ages touched the feet or at times washed the dust from guru's feet before touching with their own hand or head. At present also, devotees show respect to Santram Maharaj by touching his feet in the temple. It is the integral portion of worshipping. Santram Mandir celebrates several great festivals such as Guru Purnima, Maha Purnima and Diwali.

Santram Mandir Mythology & History

According to Hindu mythology, when the death of Santram Maharaj came closer, increased number of devotees begun to appear to Nadiad for obtaining the last opportunity to be in purlieu of the divine soul of Santram. Devotees from distant places came to the Ashram of Santram Maharaj for reimbursing respect. Before demise, Santram Maharaj ordered the devotees to make an unlighted earthen lamp with wick and ghee. Gradually he started to incline in the burial place and quickly his body was buried alive, therebyreleasing the heavenly and illustrious soul. The departing soul ignited the earthen lamp which was kept near the burial place of Santram Maharaj.Soon sugar dices begun falling from skies, seems the gods were welcoming the blissful soul to heaven. Afterwards, people of Naidad took the liability to create the Ashram of Santram Maharaj as a temple. Hence, Santram Mandir was created in that place and the earthen lamp was positioned inside the temple, where it is kept burning every time and every day. The lamp is believed to provide guidance and blessing to the devotees. At present, the lamp is known as Akhand Jyoti.

Santram Mandir Architectural Significance

Santram Mandir is a huge building based on Hindu architectural style. It not only carries the shrine of Santram Maharaj but also have several other structures such as eye clinic, physical therapy centre, radiology centre and pathology laboratory among other. Apart from providing spiritual advice, Santram Mandir also delivers various other humanitarian services.