History
About Shri Akkalkot Swami Samarath Maharaj
Shree Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj is known as an incarnation of the divine personality Shrimad Narasimha Saraswati Maharaj. It is believed that a woodcutter accidently stroke his axe on an anthill where Shree Narshimha Saraswati Maharaj who was performing his penance for last 300 years. Suddenly he noticed blood stains on his axe. He started clearing that anthill and saw that a yogi was performing his penance. He started shivering out of fear. The Yogi came out from Samadhi calmly and told the woodcutter that – “The time of resuming my spiritual mission has come – it is the wish of the god.” That Yogi was none other than Almighty Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj! The wound left scars on his thigh which was noticed as permanent mark by many of his close attendants.
In the month of September – October 1856 A.D. Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj was first seen near Khandoba temple, Akkalkot, district Solapur, Maharshtra. Prior to that he visited far wide in the region of Himalayas, China, Tibet and Nepal as well as in Puri, Banaras, Haridwar, Girnar, Kathiawad and Rameshwaram in the South. One day one of his disciples asked him about his origin and his native. On that he answered that he came out of a Banyan Tree and his name was Narsimha Bhan. He also told that he belonged to Kardalivan, Shrishailam and confirmed that he was incarnation of Shree Narsimha Saraswati Maharaj.
About Shree Vamanbua Ravaji Vamorikar
Shree Vamanbua Vamorikar was one of the passionate disciples of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj. An incident took place in Vadodara proving this fact. Vamanbua’s health started deteriorating when he was in Vadodara. He was suffering from many diseases. During this period he also tried to contact Swamiji by sending letters to convey his condition, but Vamanbua did not receive any reply from him. Extremely exhausted by the pain, he decided to take Jala samadhi in a lake called Sursagar at Mid-night. When he was about to take plunge in Sursagar, at the very same instance Almighty Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj appeared in front of him!He slapped him and said, “You Fool! One has to undergo all the sufferings predetermined by his fate. Instead of going in Sahaj samadhi ,why would you prefer Jala samadhi ? Is this your only Divine knowledge?” By Saying so he consoled Vamanbua, moreover he took Vamanbua to home holding his hand. There is no need to mention that Vamanbua’s health started improving fast.
The Place where Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj appeared physically for Vamanbua, at the same place a scenic Math is built which is called Swami Samarth Math - Vadodara.
About Math
Shree Vasudev Raoji (alias Bhau) Kaduskar was the founder of Shree Swami Samarth Math. There is a great secret associated with the establishment of this Math. Shree Bhau wanted to have an eviction of Shree Swami’s presence at Sursagar. On a divine indication, that there are two idols above the temple of Tarkeshwar Mahadev, he went there and brought both the idols down. But as a part of celestial miracle one of the idols was cracked!! The holy sound came from un-cracked idol that “I do present in this idol.” Hence, it was decided to establish the other idol at the same place where Swami Samarth Maharaj appeared. The same thing was elaborated by Shree Vasudev Raoji Kaduskar to Shrimant Maharaja Gaekwad (Baroda) who kindly agreed to donate the idol of Swami Samarth Maharaj for this Shree Akkalkot Swami Samarth Maharaj Math, Vadodara. On 1st December, 1960, Swami Samath Maharaj’s idol was placed in Swami Samarth Math, Vadodara in the presence of P.P. Rangavdoot Maharaj of Nareshwar (Bapaji), and the math was established at this sacred place where Swami Samarth Maharaj appeared.
The Math premise was renovated in the year 2009-10. All necessary permissions were obtained from the office of Charity Commissioner of Vadodara and Vadodara Mahanagar Palika for renovation of Math. The building plan was designed by renowned Senior Architect of Vadodara - Shri Datta Ekbote.
The decorative structural formation was done by Shri Girdharlal Mistry & Sons, a well-known temple Designer of Vadodara.
Several eminent personalities have visited this sacred temple and they have been honoured by trustees of the temple.
This magnificent math is fully furnished with all latest amenities like Air Conditioners, Water Cooler, Music Systems, CCTV Cameras etc.
The Math also has modern kitchen for daily ‘Naivadya’ to be offered to Shree Swami Maharaj.
All financial transactions of the math are very transparent and regularly audited under Charity Act and Income Tax Act.
That bridge between you and us is the one ̶ Almighty Swami Samarth Maharaj. We, The Trustees of this temple, request you to come to his shelter and feel the bliss of his grace!!