Shrines

The ashram of Shivpuri is the home of many Divine Shrines. The whole Ashram area has a great and celestial history behind it. Every corner, every stone has a story behind it. Shivpuri, truly is a blessed land. A land touched by God Himself.The beautiful temples of Shivpuri are must see for all. The architechture, the grandness fills ones heart with awe and admiration.

All these grand monuments today stand strong, as a witness to all the great events that have happened in this Holy land, bearing testimony to all the Divine figures who have and still continue to, dwell in the precints of the Yagnya Nagar.

The following Monument's and Temples can be seen in Shvipuri:

The Maha Dwara:

This is the Main Gate through which is used as a entry point in to Shivpuri. The Gate is majestic. The Dharma Dhavja (the Satya Dharma Flag) is unfurled on this gate on every Padva, the begining of the New Year, as per the Satya Dharma Calendar. This flag denotes the victory of Good over evil and of Light over Darkness. The gate has three entrance points. One central entrance is for vehicles, which are allowed in the Ashram through this gate only on special occasions. There are two small revolving gates on either side of this central gate. They are the one's which are used everyday foe people to walk in to the Ashram. A similar gate was also erected on the other side of Shvipuri also. This is the entrance going towards the living area.

There is a story behind this gate. On the day, when the Bhoomi Poojan (Foundation Laying) of this gate was to be done, Shreeji was having pain in His legs. People urged Him to not walk much and postpone the event to a later date. But Shreeji did not pay any heed to these requests. he said that He will not postpone or cancel the event. he said that through the gates millions and millions of people are going ot pass through to attend the Glorious Divine events that will be held in Shivpuri and to take Darshan in Shivpuri. He further said that for laying the foundation of such an important gate even if His leg gets broken, He would not mind. With such an energy Shreeji has layed the foundation stone of the majestic Maha Dwara.

The Maha Dwara has beautiful carvings on all the sides. They are all Shubh Chinna (Good Omen) from the Vedic culture.

The Shiv Mandir:

Shiv Mandir is the Samadhi place of Swami Shivanand Yogendra Maharaj. This was the first monument created in Shivpuri righr after the land was acquired. This was done in the year 1954. Shreeji Himself had layed the stone for the Samadhi. Initially when the Samadhi was made ready, the area around it had no other buildings. The Samadhi site was marked with a small monument. Then when the Maha Somyaga was announced in 1969, the construction of the entire structure began. The Shiv mandir and its Shikhar were built before the Maha Somayaga. The remaining structure were built simultaneously.

This is the first monuments that one see's on entering the premises of Shivpuri. This a huge structure, whose top is visible even from a far distance. The Shikhar (Top End of the Building) with its glowing Kalash can be seen from a great distance. This is undoubtedly the first sight that one is greeted with on entering Shivpuri. Its beautifull carved Gopura (Ancient Style of Architure), has the idols of many Divine God's and Goddesse's carved on it. Great detail can be seen in the carvings made on the Gopura. Every Idol has been very carefully carved and even minute details have been taken care of. They say if one looks carefully, the idols actually start looking life like.

The whole Temple is made from stone on the outer side. The Back half of the Temple has been completely made from stone. It has been made from grey stone. The front half has been recetly renovated. It has been lined with white marble from the inside and the outside.

The Shiv Gumpha is located in the Shvi Mandir. It is the actual Samadhi Site of Swamiji. This is located in the cave like structure built under the grey stoned lined monument. It is located under the Shikhar on which today the Kalash has been placed. The actual site has been covered with a Altar, which has white marble on it. On top of this a Shiv Lingam made from white marble has been placed. Shreeji had specifically asked Mr. Parkhe to be personally present at the site when the work of the Altar was being done. He also asked Him to be among the one people who will place the Shiv Linga on top of the Altar. He later said that this was so asked to be done to make sure that the sanctity of the Samadhi site is not tampered with. Shreeji said that Swamiji is in Sanjeevan Samadhi. Nobody should disturb the place.

On a floor above this, one can see another white Shiv Linga. This is the Yagneshwar Shiv Linga, depicting Bhagwan Yagnya Narayan.

Also behind this one can a small Shiv Linga made from grey marble. This is the Kashi Vishweshwar Shiv Linga, depicting the fact that Bhagwan Shiv is now residing in Shivpuri. During the Maha Somayaga, Bhagwan Shiv, disguised as a Saint, had appeared in Shivpuri. He had then expressed the desire to live in Shivpuri. Then when He was being accompainied by one of Shreeji's close disciples, who was taking Him for prasadam, Bhagwan Shiv vanished. Shreeji later explained that this means that Bhagwan Shiv had chosen this land to be His Kailas. That is why Shreeji named this Ashram Shivpuri, the Kailas on this planet.

In the Sabha Mandap (Main Hall), a beautifully carved monument has been erected as the seat of Swamiji's statue. It has been specially carved by experts from Rajasthan, which is famous worldwide for carving's and sculpture's. It is made from Pure White Marble and has been carved from the begining in Shivpuri. The carver's sayed in the Ashram for the period required for carving and carved the entire monument right in the Sabha Mandap. The Idol of Swamiji has been placed in the seat, which can be seen immediately on entering the Sabha Mandap.

Bhagwati Sonamata Temple:

After coming out of the Shiv Mandir, one can see another beautifully carved temple exactly in front. This is the Bhagwati Sonamata Temple. Shreeji had this monument built in the memory of the Holy Mother Bhagwati Sonamata. Bhagwati Sonamata is Shreeji's mother, who served the poor and needy all Her life. She took Samadhi at the young age of 24 years, after toiling all Her life for the betterment of the down trodden.

This also a very beautiful Temple. It also has a similar Gopura Shikhar like the Shiv Mandir. The Temple also has two part's Back half and Front half. The Back Half has been,recently covered by White marble from the outside. It has the majestic Shikhar, on top of which the Kalash has been placed. Under this Shikhar, a life like statue of Bhagwati Sonamata has been placed. Behind this statue, a Tulsi Vrindavan has been built.

Yagnya Vedi:

A memrial for the 1969 Maha Somayag, has been built in fornt of the Bhagwati Sonamata Temple. This is thr exact place where the Yagnya Kunda (Altar) of the Maha Somayaga was built. The Kunda has been permanently preserved by making them of stone. This place is called the Yagnya Vedi. It is at the base of the Yagnya Stambha (Pillar).

Yagnya Stambha:

The Yagnya Stambha (Pillar) stand's in front of the Yagnya Vedi. This massive Pillar stand's at the place where the Yagnya Purna Ahuti of the Maha Somayaga was done.

Shreeji said about the Pillar, that this Pillar signifies the ushering in of the Satya Yuga. This Pillar is reminding everybody, that the Light of Satya Dharma and Agnihotra is spreading throughout the planet.

This Towering structure is 40 Ft tall and is made from stone blocks. It has a Hexagonal base. On each side are carved the message's and teaching's of Shreeji. They have also been carved into a plate of white marble and then etched in golden color. On top of the Pillar, a burning flame, also carved form the stone that was used to build the Pillar, has been placed.

Bhagwan Parshuram Mandir:

From the base of the Yagnya Pillar a magnificient Temple structure can be seen. This is the Bhagwan Parshuram Temple. This has been covered with a beautiful red marble. A Gopura Shikhar has also ben built over this Temple similar to the Shiv Mandir and Bhagwati Sonamta Mandir.

In this Temple, the Pure White Marble Idol of Bhagwan Shree Parshuram has been placed. The Bhagwan Parshuram Paduka also have been placed here.

The Temple has a half door, which is kept open during the day, through which the Idol is visible even from a far distance.

On the top of the Temple, The Dashavatar, have been depicted, through beautiful statues.

Go Samadhi:

After The Bhagwan Parshuram Temple, one can see a very beautiful statue of a Cow, under a magnificient monument.

This is the Go Samadhi. A stone image of a Cow, in a sitting down position has been placed under a Stupa like monument.

Shreeji had The Go Samadhi (Cow Memorial), built in Shivpuri in the memory of the Cow, whose milk and ghee were used in the 1969 Maha Somayaga in Shivpuri.

Shatagni:

On the way back, near the Yagnya Vedi, a Topha (Cannon), made from stone has been kept. Shreeji refered to this Cannon as the Shatgni.

The Cannon has been placed ther to signify the power of the Satya Dharma. It issues a word of caution to any dark power trying to undermine the power of the Light. It signifies that the Power of Satya Dharma has cleansed the world of all evil and Darkness. It warns any Darkness, that might try to ressurect, that the Power of Satya Dharma will destroy it again, as it has done now. So it is better not to spread again at all. It It signifies the victory of the Truth and Light over Falsehood and Darkness.

Shreeji's Samadhi:

Shreeji's Samadhi has been placed on the same place, where His cabin was built, during the Maha Somayaga, from where He watched over the entire event.

This is also th same place where Bhagwan Shiv, in the disguise of a Saint, had met with Him and had expressed the desire to reside in Shivpuri.

A cane cabin has been erected, at the site today to denote the exact area of His Samadhi.

Vahinisaheb Samadhi:

This has been built very close from the site of Shreeji's Samadhi.

A cane cabin has been erected, at the site today to denote the exact area of Her Samadhi.

Shreekantji Samadhi:

This has been built in between both Shreeji and Vahinisaheb's Samadhi place.

A cane cabin has been erected, at the site today to denote the exact area of His Samadhi.

Dharmatma Tatyaji Maharaj Smarak (Memorial):

This beautiful Temple ahs been built near the Ayurvedic Centre. A Bust image made from Bronze has been placed in the Temple. It is in between the Ayurvedic Centre and the Ayurvedic Manufacturing Unit. It is surrounded by a garden consisting of rare Ayurvedic Herb's and beautiful flowering plant's.

Shivdarshan:

'Shivdarshan', the house which Shreeji dwelled in during His stay in Shivpuri was built later after the Yagnya. It has a outer room where Shreeji sat to give Darshan to all the devotee's who cam to Him. It also has a Hall, where Vahinisaheb met and gave Darshan to all the devotee's who came to her.