History, Importance, Timings, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Gangnath Mahadev, Bhimpura, Chanod, Gujarat
The ancient historical Gangnath Mahadev Ashram, located on bank of holy river Narmada at just 2 km away from Chanod, near Vadodara in state of Gujarat is major religious attraction in surrounding area. Gangnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva where syavambhu – self manifested Shivlinga is placed in temple premise. Temple holds high spiritual and religious importance, thus devotee and tourist visits here throughout the year. The roots of this holy place found in several holy text of Sanatan Dharma and dated back to Mahabharat time also. You can surely enjoy the natural beauty of the place where you can have view of great river Narmada, lots of trees, hill of Vindhyachal. The peaceful surrounding of ashram is spread across 22 acres of land and best fit for the devotee and tourist who wander around the Naramada or doing the Parikrama.
Shree Gangnath Mahadev Ashram is popular from the ancient times due to seat of the Svayambhu Shivlinga and well known as Gangnath. The most recent history of this place could be traced to the when great Yogi and Saint Shri Brahmanandji came and settled down here. During Parikrama of Narmada, Guruji came here and found this place as perfect for meditation. Then Shri Brahmanandji had lived here for last 80 years of his life. During this time, eventually he had developed this place with Gangnath Mahadev Temple, Saraswati Cave, Dharmashalas for the Parikramavasi and pilgrims, the stairs on bank of Narmada which helps to reach the temple, Gaushala. He had also started lots of spiritual and social activities in welfare of human being as well as for nature.
The history of this holy place found dated back to the Mahabharata time, when the great sage Shir Markandeya instructed Yudhisthira – one of the greatest King of Mahabharat time, also famed as Dharmraj to visit Kahlodi Tirtha which destroys all the sins. The Kahlodi Teertha which is currently known as Gangnath, located on the northern bank of the holy river Narmada. It is also believed that in ancient time the rishis performed tapasya for the welfare of the humanity. They had installed Kahlodinath or Gangnath, the immense Shivlinga found from the deep water of river Narmada. It is believed that even Ma Ganga apparently incarnates herself as a black cow to visit her elder sister Narmada. The Ganga does this once a year just to wash off the “sins” stacked up in her waters by the devotees. The Narmada needs no such cleansing, thus believed as holiest river. The hidden flow of Holy River Gangaji is still found here at Gangnath where Ganga meets Narmada also known as Ganga Khadi. The grand fair is arranged every year here on Vaishakh shukla Saptami.
Shri Aurobindo was very impressed by Shri Brahmanandji and he had also described his several meetings with Shri Brahmanandji at this place. Shri Aurobindo stayed at Vadodara for several year as personal secretary to the maharaja and he used to visit here at Gangnath Mahadev. Aurobindo described Gurujis remarkable eyes, usually either closed or half shut. Once Shri Brahmanandji had opened his eyes full and looked at me. At that time Aurobindo feels that he could enter in you and see everything within undoubtedly.
About Shri Brahmanandji and his successor and Several Activities of Gangnath Mahadev Ashram and Trust
Shri Brahmanandji, the great Yogi was of very simple nature, kind heart for every life either sanyasi or sansari, rich or poor. He attained liberation and always enjoying perfect bliss and happiness, the merger of individual soul to supreme soul. This place is always used to give shelter to the pilgrims and parikramavasis and offer them meals, clothes, treatment, and all other required services. Every month, Guruji arranges Bhandaras and Yagya several times. It is also said that disciples had seen lots of miracle of Shri Brahmanandji during the Bhandaras when shortage of food was covered up by Guruji with just one glance. No one knows about the birth year of Guruji and It is also believed that he lived for about 240 year. As Guruji described many incident of his early life, which gives indication that the age of Guruji must be more thatn 200 years.
Shri Balanandji Bramchari was the first disciple of Shri Brahmanandji who had later established ashram in Deoghar, Baidyanath Dham Jharkhand. After Param Dham Gaman of Shri Brahmanand, Shri Balananji had appointed his Gurubhai Shri Keshavanandji as the Mahant of the Gangnath. Then Gangnath was managed by Shri Kailashanandji who was succeeded by Shri Ganeshanandji who managed the Ashram for last 40 years. He appointed Shri Pavitrananda Brahmachariji who is the disciple of Shri Mohnananda brahmachariji of Shri Balanand Ashram Deoghar. Currently Shree Gangnath Sansthan Ashram Trust is managed under his guidance.
How to Reach Gangnath Mahadev Ashram & Shree Gangnath Sansthan Ashram Trust, Chanod, near Vadodara Gujarat, India
Gangnath Mahadev Ashram is one of the popular and major pilgrimage site near Chanod, in Vadodara district of Gujarat. Chanod is very well known as Pitru Gaya of Gujarat and western India where people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh visits for Pitru Karya. Also this place is one of the important site for Narmada Parikramvasi. Chanod is very well connected with all the major cities of India via road, rail and air network and it is just 55 km from Vadodara and also around 50 kms from Statue of Unity – the world’s tallest statue. Thus Chanod becomes the tourist attraction as well along with religious importance. Vadodara has major railway junction which is well connected with all major cities across India. Also you can easily reach chanod via road network of national and state highway. Nearest airport from Chanod is in Vadodara from where you can get flights to almost all cities of India from here. Chanod is located at around 55 km from Vadodara, 50 km from Statue of Unity, 10 km from Poicha Swaminarayana Mandir, 165 km from Ahmedabad, 20 km from Rajpipla and 22 km from Dabhoi.
