HISTORY
Tradition
Established before 350 yrs. by founder Suratgiri ji Maharaj, Suratgiri Bungalow is situated at India's one of the ancient pilgrim place Kankhal in Haridwar. Following Guru Shishya Gradation and Advaita Sanyasa Tradition founded by Bhagawatpad Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya, the place where umpteenth of Ascetics have done penance is Girishanand Ashram, Suratgiri Bungalow. Mumbai Vile Parle Sanyas Ashram was founded by His Holiness late AnantShriVibhooshit Acharya MahaMandaleshwar Swami Maheshwarananda Giri Ji Maharaj the ninth Pontiff of Sidhh Peeth Suratgiri Bungalow.
History & Root cause of Establishment
It was 1944 when a Businessman of Cambay Shri Pranlal Vakharia invited Swamiji to Mumbai for Satsang & propagation. Shri Maharaj Ji came to Mumbai accepting this invitation. Accommodation at Fanas Wadi and Satsang Discourses were arranged at Nara-Narayan Mandir Madhavbaug. One day it so happened that a devotee from Vile Parle invited Shri Maharaj Ji for lunch at his residence. Maharaj Ji was going by car to Vile Parle. Maharaj Ji was looking out on both sides of the road while travelling. There was no Temple visible on the way from Madhavbaug to Vile Parle. Big - big religious places of different community and other sects were seen in opulence. Shri Maharaj Ji poured out his heart felt observation in front of all. There were many eminent personalities present at that time and each one favored Shri Maharaj Ji's point. It was decided to execute the determination in Vile Parle as it took place while traveling to Vile Parle. Spontaneously all of them gave suggestion to bring up one attractive Ashram and vowed to bestow their offerings according to one's own capacity.
Allocation of Land
Search for land started without delay for this divine work, where a magnificent Temple, Satsang Bhawan, Sant Niwas, Gaushala, Dispensary etc. could be built. It came to notice within few days that a prominent businessman Seth Shri Mangaldas Patel had purchased a plot some few days back. People contacted him and he too was a devoted gentleman. He agreed to give that plot at the cost price. This matter was welcomed by all the citizens. Registration of the land was done on the auspicious day of 20th January 1945 in Maharaj Ji's name.
Beginning of construction in Ashram
Shri Ekamreshwar Mahadev Mandir - Initially one small temple was installed. Worship etc. started with Vedic traditional system after the consecration of Panch-Dev. There are Lingswarup Lord Shiv-Parvati, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shri Ganesh and Lord Sun among Panch-Dev. Being situated below Mango Tree and there being one more similar ancient temple in Kanchi, the temple has been named as Ekamreshwar Mahadev Mandir.
Sant Niwas
After construction of temple it was necessary for the ashram to have sant niwas. It was constructed on the East side of the plot & in front of Ekamreshwar Mandir. This was made up of Timber & Earth-Flax. Shri Maharaj Ji's Seating, regional Saints residence, mess used to be in this Sant Niwas. Satsang, Discourses and Swadhyaya also started happening there.
Construction of Well
A well was dug-out near Sant Niwas with the help of a devotee, Shri Premji Kacharia Rangwala, in the name of his father. This has been named as Ganga-sagar in due course of time. All these work happened within a year.
Shri Kashi Vishweshwar Spiritual Sanskrit Vidyalaya
Shri Maharaj Ji was an illustrious scholar of Sanskrit. Maharaj ji felt from the depth of his heart for bringing up a Sanskrit school for the expansion & propagation of Sanskrit knowledge. During that period one Sanskrit school was running in Vile-Parle which was managed by Seth Shri Matubhai Soliciter. They thought of shifting their Sanskrit Vidyalaya. After talking to them Shri Maharaj Ji decided to construct enormous Sanskrit Vidyalaya. With the help of Shri Maharaj Ji's devotee & Seth Shri Matubhai Soliciter one huge Sanskrit Pathshala was built before 15th August 1947. The name given to Pathshala was Shri Kashi Vishweshwar Spiritual Sanskrit Vidyalaya. Impartment of education of Vedanta, Nyaya(Spiritual Law), Vyakaran(Sanskrit Grammar), Sahitya(Sanskrit Literature) etc was started in Sanskrit medium. Vidyalaya was affiliated to Varanasey Sanskrit University Varanasi. Pandit Shri Shobhakant Jha was appointed first Principal of Vidyalaya. Present name the above mentioned University is Sampoornanand Sanskrit University Varanasi.
Construction of Sant Niwas
Construction of Sant Niwas and one Self-Study room on the South-West side of the plot and at the left of Shri Ekamreshwar Mandir was completed. This was done entirely with the help of Maharaj Ji's Kutchi devotees from Vadgadi. Thus the tradition of Swadhyaya (Deep study of Scrptures) started here which is continuing till today.
Construction of Mandir
Maharaj Ji thought of constructing Temple according to Sanatan Vedic recognition. When all the devotees came to know about this, they came forward to help according to one's own capacity. The decision to build three Top Fasciated Temple was taken. Huge rocks were brought from Chittorgarh for foundation of the Temple. And, construction work of Mandir commenced. Seth Shri Bhogilal came to know about it and came to Maharaj Ji with a request that he would pay total money for Sabha Mandap (Gathering Hall), solely it should be in his father's name. It was concluded that the Sabha Mandap will be named as Shri Hargovinddas Vyakhyan Mandir. It is in existence till today. Other devoted citizens of Vile Parle like Shri Madanlal Rajpuria, Shri Bhurabhai Pandya, Shri Chaganlal Trivedi, Shri Sakarchand Shah, Shri Mangaldas Shah, and Parle Product; by and large many righteous people gave their support in construction of Mandir. Architect & Designing of the Temple was done by Shri Mohanbhai Rathod.
Sketch of Mandir
Three splendid temples were built. Shri Kashi Vishwananth Mahadev has been installed in the central temple domicile, Shri Laxmi Narayan on the East side Adi Jagadguru Bhagwatpada Shankaracharya with His four disciples (Shri Sureshwaracharya, Shri Totakacharya, Shri Padmapadacharya and Shri Hastamalakacharya) on the West side. On the outer portion of Temple, Shri Hanumanji, Bhagawan Dattatreyaji, Mata Saraswatiji and Shri Ganeshji were propounded with equanimity. Construction of Satsang Bhawan on the opposite side was also done in traditional ritual system in which four centre pillars are epitome of four Vedas. In second line are six pillars which stand as sign of Six Shashtras and evidence of 18 Puranas while counting from all four angles. Nine steps are indications of Navadha Bhakti for climbing. Construction of the splendid Temple was completed within 7 years.
Dev Consecration
After consulting learned scholars it was decided that consecration ceremony should be done on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri. Accordingly, Chaitra Shukla Shashthi 2001, 31st March 1952, Monday, 12.00 noon was decided as favorable auspicious moment for Dev Consecration. Vishnu Mahayaag was done at the time of Dev Consecration ceremony. Learned scholars, Pundits were called from all the directions of Bharat for Dev Consecration ceremony.
Then MahaMandaleshwar those all came for Dev Consecration ceremony were:
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Nrusinha Giri Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Krishnananda Puri Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Parmananda Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Bhagwatananda Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Akhandananda Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Vishnudevananda Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Purnananda Ji Maharaj
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Mohanananda Ji Maharaj
Arrangement of Swingeing Procession
On the first day, the divine Idols to be installed were taken in procession with modules. 108 (One hundred eight) women with traditional Kalasham on their head wearing decorative ornaments chanting God's name were gradually moving slowly-slowly. There were decorated Elephants-Horses also. Saints and Mahatmas were splendid on chariots. Representatives of all classes with the participation of the teenagers and the old were making the procession graceful. Sikhs Panch Pyare with swords was leading one team. Different Bhajan-Mandalis from many suburbs took part with spirit & dancing with rhythm, music, singing and cheering. Vehicles of Parle Biscuits were put in service. When the procession arrived in ashram moving around various routes, it looked like the Ocean itself has become Anthropoid.
Consecration
Idols of God were brought in Mandapam for rituals. Annaadhivas, GhritaNivas & Jalaadhivas rituals were going on, along with regular discourses by Mahamandaleshwars and scholars who have arrived for the function. Now the auspicious time also came for the consecration of the God. Bhagawan Shri Laxmi Narayan and Bhagawan Shri Shankaracharya were installed on Throne through the main entrance. Shri Kashi Vishwanath was installed by Summit from open sky. This sanctified act was carried out with chanting of Mantras by Vedic Bhramins and cheering of devotees. Musical Instruments were played continually. Grand celebration was on its extreme climax.
Even today people become emotional while remembering the grand splendid function. The specialty of the Grand function was that on many railway stations tickets for Vile-Parle station were finished. Thousands of devotees were fed daily even if there was problem in rationing during that time. Maharaj Ji's solemn vow for people of Mumbai that they should get daily Satsang & Dev Darshan was fulfilled.
Expansion of Temple
With perseverance of devotees in due course of time, four temples were erected in four directions. Ram Darbar, Amba Mataji, RadhaKrishna and Lord Virat. Consecration of this was done on 8th February 1970 accordingly Vikram Samvat 2026.
Shri Maharaj Ji - Liberation
Shri Maharaj Ji left his mortal body for heavenly abode on the auspicious day of Varuthini Ekadasi, 1st May 1970, at Suratgiri bungalow located in Haridwar. As nominated by him as an inheritor, Vedantacharya Shri Swami Bhramananda Giri Ji Maharaj, a learned and simple saint by nature, was coroneted as MahaMandaleshwar on 16th May 1970 on the day of Shodashi (Sixteenth day) of Maharaj Ji in presence of all Sant Samaj and Office bearers of Shri Panchayati Akhada Mahanirvani.
Expansion of Temple
In course of temple expansion, Shri Hanuman Ji and Gayatri Mata were consecrated on 29th June 1974, wherein Sri Sri Anandmayee Maa performed the first pooja.
Special Train Tour
Late Shri 1008 Acharya MahaMandaleshwar Swami Maheshwarananda Giri Ji Special Train tour was taken up during April to June 1973 as per the wishes of Maharaj Ji. Notable places like CharDham, Saptamokshapuri, 12(Twelve) Jyotirlinga with many pilgrim places were toured for darshan.
Expansion of Temple
Many of the devotees desired to have more temples after the construction of temples of Hanuman Ji and Gayatri Mata. Other temples were built as per the suitability of location. Consecration of twelve (12) Jyotirlinga, Shreenathji, Parvati Parmeshwar, Shri Balaji, Shri Vitthal Rukmini, Huge Ganapati, Lord Nataraj, Lord Narshinha and others was done on 5th February 1976. Five days programme was organized on that occasion. Great scholars like Shri Swami Chinmayananda Ji Maharaj, Maha Mandaleshwar Shri Swami Kashikananda Ji Maharaj, MahaMandaleshwar Shri Swami Dayananda Vedpathi Ji Maharaj, Shri Swami Govind Prakash Ji Maharaj, Shri Swami Manoharananda Ji Maharaj, Mastaram Baba Ji Maharaj, Sadhvi Uma Bharti etc. gratified audience with their discourses.
Gradual Growth and Reputation
Reputation and Growth of Sanyas Ashram has been increasing day by day like seedlings of Kalpavrikhsa planted by H.H. Late Shri Maharaj Ji. Regular evening discourses and morning Swadhyaya became spiritual part for the devotees. It has become a tradition for devotees to attend functions and take part in festivals through out the year.
Ghee Pooja
The famous idol of Ghee during Shrawan Month is favorite subject of Mumbaities. During all four Monday of every Shrawan month, from Monday to Thursday, Idols of Ghee are prepared and aspects of different Gods & Goddesses are shown therein.
Shri BhramaMaheshwar Gaushala
Gaushala is centre of attraction in Ashram. All devotees feed Gaugrass to cows with their own hands. The Gaushala is graced with almost 35-40 cows.
Christening of Sanyas Ashram Mandir Chowk
The Square junction of Swami Vivekananda Marg and Dadabhai Marg has been got christened as Sanyas Ashram Mandir Chowk.
Padabhishek of Ekadash MahaMandaleshwar (11th Pontiff)
His Holiness Acharya MahaMandaleshwar Shri Swami Bhramananda Giri Ji Maharaj coroneted his competent disciple Shri Swami Vishweshwaranada Giri Ji Maharaj as Eleventh Pontiff (Ekadash MahaMandaleshwar) of Suratgiri Pith on 10th May 1995 in the presence of all Sant Samaj, Akhada and devotees.
Construction of Bhrama Maheshwar Bhawan
A huge building, Bhrama Maheshwar Bhawan, has been constructed on the site of old store room. It was inaugurated on 20th January 1996. There is Bhojanalaya (Dining Hall) on ground floor, Shri Dindayal Biyani Satsang Bhawan on first Floor, and 10 rooms on second and third floors each to provide accommodation to saints and devotees.
Construction of 25ft Gangavtaran Shiv and restoration of Ekamreshwar Mandir
New Construction of 25ft. Shri Gangaavtaran Lord Shiva Statue on Ganga Sagar well was done. The very first temple of Ashram had become enough of shabby. Keeping Lord Shiva's Pindi (Lingam) as it is, temple has been bestowed with spectacular perspective. The main expenses of both the construction was borne by Shri Swaroop Narayan Rastogi.
Construction of Depository-Store
The depository-store has been renovated keeping in mind the necessity of the Ashram.
Shri Bhrama Maheshwar Gaushala
Shri Bhrama Maheshwar Gaushala has been renovated, and Shri Bhrama Maheshwar Gaushala Trust has been formed for its management.
New Construction of Shri Kashi Vishweshwar Spiritual Sanskrit Vidyalaya Building
Built before 1947 Shri Kashi Vishweshwar Spiritual Sanskrit Vidyalaya Building had become shabby-disrepair. It was decided to restore this building also. On 10th February 2000 Basant Panchami day Bhoomi Poojan (Landworship) was done. Presently the building is known as Shri Vishveshwar Bhawan. On first floor Shrimati Rammurti Swarupnarayan Rastogi sabha mandapam, Shri Matubhai Soliciter Vidya Bhawan, rooms for studying, reading class and more two floors were built for other proceedings. The inaugural function of the building was accomplished in the Presidentship of present Pontiff in presence of H.H.Late Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Shri Swami Bhramananda Giri Ji Maharaj and Shri Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara Panch, and their secretary invitee saints also well known personalities of Mumbai were present.
Formation of Shri Bhrama Maheshwar Janakalyan
At the time of natural calamities and for general citizen's medicinal help and for economically backward students need Shri Bhrama Maheshwar Trust was formed. Trust has aided for relief during the time of Gujarat earthquake, Orissa flood, Mumbai flood and many others.
Golden Jubilee of Sanyas Ashram Dev Consecration
Golden Jubilee of Sanyas Ashram Dev Consecration was celebrated from 13th to 21st April 2002 with delectation and faith. Chaturdigga (Four directions) Jalayatra, Swadhyaya, Satsang, Maha Rudra Yagna, Cultural program, Bhandara were organized.
Christening of MahaMandaleshwar Shri Swami Maheshwaranand Chowk and Sanyas Ashram Marg Chowk (Square Junction) near Sanyas Ashram was named as MahaMandaleshwar Shri Swami Maheshwarananda Chowk and road towards Sanyas Ashram was named as Sanyas Ashram Marg.
Establishment of Gurukrupadham
Kedarnath is one among Char Dham in Himalayas. In order to serve saints, ascetics & other people on pilgrimage to Char Dham Yatra, Gurukrupadham has been established in Sitapur, near to Kedarnath.
Book Publication
Books authored & published by Sanyas Ashram till date: Rigved Samhitopnishad, Yajurved Samhitopnishad, Samved Samhitopnishad, Atharvaved Samhitopnishad, Chaturvarnya Bharat Samikhsa, Shrimad Bhagawat Samhitopnishad in three parts, Gita Pravachan Sudha, Panchikaran Prakriya, Gayatri Mimansa, Hargovinddas Vyakhyan Mandir Shloka, Shankar Sukti Sudha, Sadguru Prasad, Punit Samsmaran, Dakshin Tirthyatra, Bhramasutra Shankarbhasya Satsanandi Deepika, Vedic Shanti Path, Aarti Pushpanjali, Shraddhanjali, Small introduction to Suratgiri Bungalow and Girishanand Ashram, Every year Sanyas Ashram Panchang, Smritigranth.
Emplacement of Sanyas Ashram Spiritual Centre America
Sanyas Ashram Spiritual Centre, a foreign branch of Sanyas Ashram, has been established in New Jersey, USA.
Annual Gathering and Three days Satsang celebration
Every year annual function and three days satsang celebration is being organized from 17th to 20th January regularly for many years.
Establishment of Shri Swami Bhramananda Dasnam Chhatravas, Varanasi
In the name of Sadgurudev Ji Maharaj, Shri Swami Bhramanand Dasnam Chhatravas has been established for aspirants like Sadhus Bhramacharis and students studying in Varanasi to provide basic needs of food and accommodation.
