A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj- 9
Sri Maharaj stayed in Naragund for about eight days and visited other surrounding places on the requests of his devotees. At each place Sri Maharaj visited, many people took to Ramnam, being initiated by Sri Maharaj himself. Sri Linganagowda of Kurtakoti was also initiated. He became a great devotee and followed Sri Maharaj wherever He went.
Sri Brahmanand Maharaj requested Sri Maharaj to Grace the celebrations of Sri Ramotsav to be held at Beladhadi. That year, Sri Ramotsav at Beladadhi, with Sri Maharaj at the helm was a grand affair. It was a nine days celebration, and Sri Maharaj asked LinganaGowda, to speak on Bhagavatha. Sri Maharaj liked his speech, and called him Maha Bhagavat. Sri Maharaj always addressed him as Maha Bhagavat. So,Sri Lingana Gowda retained the name of Maha Bhagavat. He surrendered himself entirely to Sri Maharaj, went to Gondavale with him and worked for Sri Maharaj for several years. He has written several abhangs in kannada. He came back to Kurtakoti after Sri Maharaj ordered him to return and spread Ram-naam in the surrounding area.
A few words about Gadag: Gadag is a place sanctified by several visits of Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj’s places of action (Beladhadi,Venkatapur, Kurtakoti, Bidarahalli,Naragund, Bisarahally, Teradala, Ashwathapura,Jaalihala.. to name only a few) were mostly surrounding or near Gadag. Sri Bahu Saheb Ketkar, Poojya Tatya Saheb Ketkar Maharaj’s father was in service here, as an Engineer. Though he had met Sri Maharaj, once, long back. it was here he understood the Divinity of Sri Maharaj and surrendered to him. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj had a large number of following here. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj renovated an old Shiva Temple Sri Veeranarayan Temple
Sri Brahmananda Maharaj was doing an incessant work in spreading Rama Naam. He visited many places and incited many people to take up Ram-naam. Rama-Sapthahas were arranged and many temples were built or renovated. All the events are known to have provided sumptuous food to all devotees irrespective of caste, creed and class. Sri Brahmananda Mharaj always took permission of Sri Maharaj before starting any event, and invited Sri Maharaj always for the closing ceremony. Sri Maharaj, most of the times, graced the events with His presence. On one of such visits, Sri Maharaj visited Kurthakoti on the invitation of Sri Maha Bhagavat, and stayed there for several days.
During His stay in Kurthakoti, a painter, Sri Harappanahally painted Sri Maharaj sitting with a Red Kapini, 
which became very famous with the devotees of Sri Maharaj. Thousands of copies of the painting were printed and distributed, freely.
which became very famous with the devotees of Sri Maharaj. Thousands of copies of the painting were printed and distributed, freely.
At Kurtakoti, a sculptor offered three sets of Padukas and a beautiful Maruthi statue ,all in black granite, to Sri Maharaj. Sri Maharaj, on the request of devotees, stood on each of the Padukas and the poojas were done. Sri Mahabhagavat requested Sri Maharaj to install them in Kurthakoti . Sri Maharaj told not to install the Padukas as the occasion to install them will rise in due course. But, Sri Maharaj installed the Maruthi idol in the place provided by Sri Maha Bhagavat.
While at Beladhadhi, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj took Sri Maharaj to Venkatapur.. He showed him the udbhava Venkateshwara swamy in the old and small temple and expressed the need to renovate the temple. Sri Maharaj lovingly asked him to take up the project.
Sri Brahmanand Maharaj accompanied Sri Maharaj when he returned to Gondavale. He stayed at Gondavale awaiting Sri Maharaj’s order to return. But, with in a few days, Sri Maharaj started for Varnasi with hundreds of disciples. Sri Maharaj asked Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to join them.
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