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A brief history of establishment of Paduka at Thane Ashram

After initiation of Dr. Shamsundar S. Deshpande Maharaj through our Gurudev, Yogtapasvi Shri Narayan Kaka Dhekne Maharaj in July 1984, during those days he had a deep association with Gurudev as both of them lived in area of Mahalakshmi mandir Mumbai. Daily meetings with Gurudev conveyed that he (Gurudev) will establish a small Vrundavan type unit of Paramhans Parivrujakacharya Shri Loknath Tirth Swami Maharaj in Nashik in front of his Flat in Shriranga nagar only. He was not happy with earlier incidences of various claims by disciples in funding such projects. Dr. Deshpande keenly observed the trends and deep urge of Gurudev in establishing a temple or Ashram of P.P. ShriLoknath Swami Maharaj in Nashik .Dr. Deshpande Maharaj started immediately collection of funds with receipts books and small donations during period of 1984 to 2002.

It was a difficult task as such and he had a deep respect for Gurudev,s urge to establish a good memorial in reverence of Paramhans Perivrujakacharya shri Loknath Tirth swami Maharaj at Nashik.Dr. Deshpande Maharaj Planned (1988) a “Bhajan Sandhya“ programme of renowned singer Shri Anup Jalota in a large Auditorium of Shanmukhanand Theater at Sion, Mumbai under Presidentship of Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra , Shri Vasantdada Patil and Shri Kamal Kishor Kadam , Education Minister of Maharashtra . Dr. Deshpande Maharaj, also arranged one music programme of famous poet and music director shri Yeshvant Deo at Nashik. with this fund availability Gurudev purchased one plot near his residence for proposed project . He also established a trust in Nashik in name of P.P. Shri Loknath Tirth swami Maharaj at Nashik with future planning of Ashram. 

With this momentum of fund collections Dr. Deshpande Maharaj also planned a yearly souvenir from 1988 to 2003 yearly adding yearly funds to Nashik trust at about Rs.2.50 lakhs to Rs.3 lakhs regularly. He also arranged donations from institutions such as Shri Sidhivinayak Trust of Dadar, Samarth Builders etc in large chunks /funds such as Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000. With such fund collections Gurudev established one separate trust in Mumbai under his Chairmanship in 1990 covering Shri Shankar Waman Bhide, shri Pravin Mande and Dr. Deshpande, Maharaj with name of Sidhyoga. Hence system organization also developed in Mumbai, Thane and suburb areas also.

Another development to be kept on record is that a part of destiny. Dr. Deshpande during his visit to Gurudev, came in contact with one accomplished saint Smt. Prematai Deshpande , a disciple of Great Saint P.P. Shrishridhar Swami Maharaj. During 1986, she suggested to Dr. Deshpande to provide Guru Deo “Khdavas” on his behalf. Dr. Deshpande Maharaj, raised a point, as Gurudev may not utilize as he is not a Sanyaasi as such. However, she insisted and with her Orders Dr. Deshpande Maharaj took wooden Khadavs and offered khadavas to Gurudev on occasion of Punutithi of Swami Samartha. Gurudev was quite happy and conveyed that we will do puja of same. He kept the same with him almost for six months and presented them back to Dr. Deshpande Maharaj on occasion of Gurupornima in 1987. Prior to this, Gurudeo insisted Dr. Deshpande Maharaj to start the initiation activity to aspirants. The padukas of Gurudev were in daily worship of Dr. Deshpande Maharaj in Mahalaxmi quarters, Mumbai till 1990 and Thane 1992. The same were sent to Gurudev in 1992 for providing the cover of panch dhatu in Nashik. Gurudev during his first trip after “Gayatri Purshcharan” to Thane on occasion of “Gudhi Padava” brought the Paduka with cover.

On occasion of Gudhi Padava Gurudev hoisted a Bhagava flag to commiserate the start of spread of “Mahayoga path world over”. Since then the Paduka are at Thane in daily rituals of Dr. Shamsundar Deshpande Maharaj and he used to carry out various functions such as birth day function of Gurudev, Punytithi and birth day of P.P. Shri Loknath tirth swami maharaj regularly .However on a particularly occasion many people did not participate in regular function. Hence he planned instead of Thane only planned various centres in city as well as throughout the guidance of Shri Prakasharao Dandge and Pravin Mande.Thane was declared a separate centre under Dr. Deshpande Maharaj. In 2001 Dr. Deshpande Maharaj shifted his residence from samata flat to “Vasant” bungalow in Shrinagar area of Thane. Hence all activities of centre were planned from new location in Thane. Dr. Deshpande Maharaj planned the “Pran Pratishta” of Gurudev Paduka through his auspicious hands of Gurudev in 2007. Gurudev asked Dr. Deshpande Maharaj to take the opinion of Shri Prakash Dandge, Shri Hemant Petare and Shri Pravin Mande as they may have any objections as such. They all gave full clearance for installing the paduka at Thane. Hence after considering the wishes of all, the “Paduka” were established on Krishna Saptmi of Margshish month in 2007 at the hands of our Gurudev at the present premises.

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