BHAGAVAN NITYANANDA – Ganeshpuri

From Borivali (Mumbai) Baba reached his final destination i.e. Ganeshpuri region. At first he stayed at Akoli village, three miles away from Ganeshpuri. Ganeshpuri was well-known for hot water wells (kundas) but was not in good shape which were repaired and renovated for the benefit of pilgrims. Here a white tiger used to come and sleep near Baba at night. A sweet water well was also dug for the benefit of villagers.

Next Baba started staying near Vajreshwari temple and developed this area by reconstructing old Nath Mandir and Samadhi was Ghodhadi Baba. A school building, a dispensary and dharmashala were also constructed. After wards, Baba went back to Akoli

From Borivali (Mumbai) Baba reached his final destination i.e. Ganeshpuri region. At first he stayed at Akoli village, three miles away from Ganeshpuri. Ganeshpuri was well-known for hot water wells (kundas) but was not in good shape which were repaired and renovated for the benefit of pilgrims. Here a white tiger used to come and sleep near Baba at night. A sweet water well was also dug for the benefit of villagers.

Next Baba started staying near Vajreshwari temple and developed this area by reconstructing old Nath Mandir and Samadhi was Ghodhadi Baba. A school building, a dispensary and dharmashala were also constructed. After wards, Baba went back to Akoli. In the year 1937, Baba finally arrived to Ganeshpuri to settle down there. Bhimeshwar temple was his first place for stay. Gangubai Bhopi, a tribal woman had the privilege of serving Baba and also donated a piece of land near Shiva Temple for the use of Baba. Gangubai has not only served Baba in his life time but also after his Samadhi. Baba blessed Gangubai by granting Darshan of Virata Roopa (cosmic view).

Baba not only renovated hot water well but also added two more and interconnected all three and created facilities for devotees to take bath. An ashram was built which is known at Vaikunta (abode of Vishnu) which consist of a hall and two rooms. A Shrikrishna temple was also built by Baba and an old Nandi (bull) was converted into cow before the temple. A Bhadrakali temple was also built at the ashram. Proper arrangements were made to perform daily poojas. A dharmashala was also built for the benefit of devotees. To ease the shortage of water a well was also dug. A diesel set generating electricity was installed for the benefit of villagers and ashram. Connecting roads within the village and outside were also constructed so that devotees can come to Ganeshpuri by using the vehicles.

A novel economic activity started by Baba can be narrated here. During the monsoon session, the villagers did not have any work and hoteliers were down with their business as devotees arrival was less. To remove this anomaly, Baba used to take up repair and renovation work at ashram so that villagers would get some work and pay their part wages by way of lunch coupons which was used in Ganeshpuri hotels. In this way both villagers and hoteliers were made happy by Baba.

Baba might have realised children cannot be educated on empty stomach. Baba also built a school and gave it to district authorities for administer the same. For providing Bala Bhojana (meals for children) facilities were created for cooking and serving food as well as storing utensils Feeding children (Bala Bhojana). Providing education with Bala Bhojana was prac- tised in all the ashrams of Baba and his disciples.

Bangalorewala building (dharmashala) was built by a grateful devotee called Laxmana Khode (a liquor baron of Bangalore) who was saved by Baba from financial troubles and tax authorities. Near the village deity temple of Ganeshpuri, Baba built a dharmashala mainly for Sadhus for their medita- tion. An Ayurvedic clinic known as N.T. Nair Ayurvedic Clinic was also established. Baba allowed Boman Behram (a Parsi philanthropist and a municipal councilor of Mumbai) to construct a museum at Ganeshpuri which was opened by Saligram Swami and Muktananda Swami at the direction of Baba.

Baba sojourn in human form was nearing to an end. On 15th July 1961 Baba shifted to Bangalorewala building to grant the wishes of Khode. On 5th August 1961 Baba gave up his loin cloth also and on 8th August 1961 at 10:40 am merged with infinite. Under his instruction a Samadhi had alread3y been prepared at Vaikunta Hall. The physical remains of Baba were placed on the Samadhi on 3rd day after allowing the Darshan of Babas physical body.

The regular pooja at Samadhi mandir started next day. The management of the ashram was conducted by 2 trusts and were dissolved in 1964 to have a single trust known as Shri Bheemeshwar Sadguru Nityananda Samstha, This trust had built Nityananda Jyoti, Nityananda Prasad, Annapurna hall, a canteen etc for the benefit of devotees. The trust had built schools Bala Bhojana Graha and Samadhi Mandir etc. An idol made of Panchaloha (5 metals) was installed in 1973 on Vasant Panchami day.

Some important festivals celebrated are Guru Poornima, Bhagawan Shri Nityananda Punyatithi, Gokulashtami, Navratri, Deepawali, Bala Bhojana Annual celebration, Datta Jayanti, Vasant Poornima, Maha Shivratri, and Akhanda Namasmarana etc. Some important poojas, offerings are being performed at Ganeshpuri temples and Samadhi Mandir are : Kamkum Aarti, Karpura Aarti, Paduka Abhisheka, Palaki Seva, Wahana Pooja (Vehicle Pooja), Satyanarayana Pooja, Maha Pooja with Abhisheka, Bala Bhojana (donation), Bandarafdonation of rice and vegetable etc), Navagraha Pooja, donations towards Tiffin to children etc. The trust continues to serve the children by conducting schools, Bala Bhojana and summer camps. For women they provide self-help training camps. For the villagers around Ganeshpuri several development works have also been taken up.