A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-6

 A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 6

After shri Maharaj went away, Sri Brahmananda Maharaj became very active, traveling and visiting the devotees of the surrounding places, and started the construction of Shri Rama Mandir. He arranged Nama-sapthaha which was well attended by the people from different places.

In Gadag, there was a person named Phadke,  a devotee of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj. Occasionally, Sri Brahmanand  used to stay over-night in Sri Phadke’s house, when he visited Gadag. One day, Sri Phadke asked Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to initiate the Taraka Manthra to him. Sri Brahmanand told him to go to Gondavale and be initiated directly by Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. Sri Phadke insisted that it was enough for him if Sri Brahmanand maharaj initiated the manthra, but Sri Brahmanand Maharaj refused.

Then, Sri Phadke told him that if Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj was as powerful as he was described, can he himself come there and initiate him? Sri Brahmanand Maharaj told him that there is nothing impossible for Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. He asked Sri Phadke to do pooja to Sri Gurupadaka daily, and to chant Ram-nam with devotion. He asked him to fast on every Thursday.

After about two months, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj visited his house. The family was very happy and requested him to take his midday meal with them. Sri Brahmanand told him, that as it was a Thursday, he will fast from the morning and take food in the night only. So, he asked them to prepare the food for the night, when he will come back for the night-meal. So, the entire family decided to skip the food in the afternoon, and await Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. At about 6 p.m. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj came there, and asked  Sri Phadke to take a bath. Meanwhile, he arranged for a Guru Peetha (a seat arranged for a holy person), and pooja articles. As soon as Sri Phadke returned after taking a bath, Sri Brahanand started doing Bhajans accompanied by the entire family. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and when the door was opened, they were all surprised and happy to see Sri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj entering their house. Sri Maharaj sat on the Gurupeetha which was ready, and Sri Phadke washed the divine feet of Maharaj, and did the Arathi.

Sri Maharaj lovingly initiated Sri Phadke with the taraka Manthra. Afterwards they all ate food there. A room was arranged with Bed for Sri Maharaj. When Sri Maharaj went to Bed, Sri Phadke was pressing his legs till he slept. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj slept in a separate room.

Early in the morning, Sri Phadke was awaiting Sri Maharaj to wake up and come out of the room. But as the sun-rise approached, he got suspicious and went inside to find Sri Maharaj not there. So, he went to the room where Sri Brahmanand was sleeping, and there also he did not find Sri Brahmanand. He was stunned, and became very un-happy. He searched in the houses of other devotees of Gadag, for the saints, but not a trace of them anywhere. He started fasting with devotion, and the second morning, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj came to him and consoled him stating that when the Ashta Siddhis were always ready to serve Him, it is not difficult for Sri Maharaj to satisfy the desire of such a devotee like Sri Phadke. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj stayed with him for a few hours, took food in their house in the afternoon and went away advising them to do namasmaran.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-7

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj -7

The construction of Shri Rama Mandir at Beladhadhi was completed and the idols were ready to be installed. A day was set-up. A large number of erudite Sanskrit scholars and priests were invited to conduct the installation ceremony. Sadguru Sri Brahmachaithanya maharaj came from Gondavale and personally installed the Divine idols of Shri Ram, Shri Lakshman, Shri Sita Mai and Shri Hanuman. Thousands of people poured in from surrounding places to witness the holy ceremony. Food was served to everyone. Sri Maharaj told them all to chant Ram-nam. After the ceremonies were over, Shri Maharaj left for Gondavale with his retinue.

Shri Brahmanand Maharaj laid out the programs for daily pooja activities in the newly constructed Mandir. As per the order of Shri Maharaj, he renovated all the old temples in the Village. He also constructed a well, and called it “Sri Rama Thirtha”.  He prompted many people to take up Ram-nam. Though he was permitted by Shri Maharaj to initiate the Tarak manthra, himself, he used to send the people to Shri Maharaj for initiation. He put up plaques on Sri Rama Mandir and Sri Rama Thirtha, stating that they were constructed by Shri Brahmachaithanya Maharaj. This shows his devotion to his Guru, unselfishness and humility.

His righteous attitude  attracted people wherever he went. He instructed them to chant Ram-nam. He sent them to Gondavale to get initiated by Shri Maharaj. He used to sing Marathi Bhajans which, people of Beladhadhi and other places he frequented, could not understand. So he wrote and chanted many Kannada Bhajans which impressed the local people. Though, he was a saint of the first order disinterested in the worldly life, he attended the people in their dire need. He helped many people out of their problems.

Though he advocated chanting of Ram-naam for all evils, he instructed them not to forsake their duties. He arranged Sri Rama -nama -week  at many places and helped to establish Sri Rama Mandir at several places.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-8

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 8

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj, once visited Kurtakoti, a place near Gadag. In Kurtakoti, there was a young man, named Lingana Gowda,  who was well educated. He was well versed in both English and Sanskrit languages. He could subjugate many scholars in arguments. He learnt from some sources that Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was well versed in Vedantha, having studied in Varanasi. So Sri Lingana Gowda invited Sri Brahamanad Maharaj to his house and during conversation, started to ask some questions with the intention of knowing about the scholarship of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj. But Sri Brahmananda Maharaj, smiled, and  told him that from the time when Sri Brahma Chaithanya Maharaj Graced  and initiated him, he has sold his tongue entirely to ‘Sri Rama naam’. He told: “With Sri Maharaj’s divine favour my desires for Shastra and Meemaamsa have vanished. By my Guru’s  Grace my earlier interest for  Shastras have declined  and  I have realized that  one cannot get  real satisfaction and peace from these shastras .Without chanting  Nama (God’s name) this life will be a mere waste”. The young man was very much impressed, and requested Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to initiate him. Sri Brahmanand told him that as Sadguru  Sri Bramachaithanya Maharaj would be visiting Gadag and other places shortly, he could be initiated by Sri Maharaj himself.

 Naragunda is a small village but had many devotees of Shri  Brahmananda Maharaj.  Naragund devotees wanted to arrange a thera koti (13 crores )  Rama-Jap in their place. So, they requested Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to help them. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj wanted to take permission of Shri Maharaj. So, on behalf of the villagers he wrote a letter to Sri Appa Saheb Bhadavankar of Pandarpur asking to intimate the desire of the villagers to Sri Maharaj and take his permission to start the thera-koti Japa at Naragund. Here, we have to note that Sri Brahmanand did not write letters directly to Sri Maharaj., but wrote to a person who is near Shri Maharaj at that time and asked him to intimate Sri Maharaj about his letter.

Sri Maharaj replied in a letter to Sri Brahmananda  expressing his pleasure and approval for starting the Thera Koti Japaanushtaan at Naragunda.. .The villagers were pleased and started the Manthra Jap with Sri Brahmanand Maharaj taking the lead. Many devotees from surrounding villages began to come there and participate in the Japaanushtaan. The food and shelter were arranged for all the outsiders. As the days went on, the number of participants increased and the thirteen crore Japa sankalpa was almost at its end. Sri Brahmanand  sent two of the villagers to Gondavale to invite Sri Maharaj for the closing ceremony. One of them was Sri Shiva Deekshit of Yavagal, which is near Naragund. Sri Maharaj delayed his visit for the reason he only knew. But when he started on his journey after nearly two months, many devotees accompanied him. Meanwhile, at Nargund, expecting the arrival of Sri Maharaj, thousands of devotees gathered.

On the way, they came to Yavagal. In Yavagal,  Sri Shiva Deekshit  had constructed a Mandir on the instruction of Sri Maharaj, and the idols of Sri Dattatreya and Sri Pattaabhi Ram were ready to be installed. Sri Brahmananda Guruji had arranged everything for the installation ceremony. Yavagal devotees received Sri Maharaj with all the enthusiasm and devotion. Sri Maharaj installed the divine  idols in the newly constructed Mandir.

Then the entire retinue  went to Naragund.

In Naragund, Sri Rama Sapthaha was conducted, in the presence of  Sri Maharaj , and the devotees there might have  felt the thrill of the Divine presence.

 However, Naragund locals  found to their dismay, that the water in the tank which was feeding the entire village with drinking water, was dwindling , and they felt it may not be sufficient for the entire programme, with nearly ten thousand people assembled there. Besides, that was the only source of drinking water the villagers had. The  villagers  confided with Sri Brahmananda Maharaj  the cause of their worry. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj told them not worry as the Divine Sri Brahma Chaithanya Maharaj himself was  there, there will not be any shortage.

The homas and rituals were over. All the assembled were fed with Maha Prasad; the clouds began to gather, and by evening a heavy rain began to  pour and with in a short time the tanks and wells began to fill, and the villagers were  very happy and heaved a sigh of relief.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj-9

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 in Gadag-Betegeri. There is an old and beautiful Sri Veeranarayan Temple in Gadag which inspired, five hundred years back, Sri Narayanappa (Kumara Vyasa) to write the inspiring Mahabharatha kaavya in Kannada. Sitting near a pedestal inside the temple Sri Narayanappa is supposed to have written, that great work which is also known as Gadugina Bharatha.

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.

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.

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj- 10

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj- 10

To accompany Sri Maharaj on a pilgrimage is a blessing for the devotees. The divine presence of Sri Maharaj with Sri Brahmanand at his side, gave the accompanying devotees the divine pleasure. Sri Brahmanand maharaj was always in attendance of Sri Maharaj, and for him, Sri Maharaj was the supreme Deity Sri Ram..

Sri Maharaj had established a Sri Rama Mandir, during one of his earlier visits to Varanasi. The Mandir is known as Tilwankar Rama Mandir, as the place belonged to Sri Hari narayan Tilwankar.

         Sri Maharaj's Ram Mandir at Varanasi.

Sri Maharaj and the devotees stayed in Varanasi for about a month and a half after visiting Prayag, Ayodhya and other places. That year, Gurupournami was celebrated in Varanasi. Sri Maharaj was seated on a high chair, and Guru pooja was done with great devotion.

After returning to Gondavale,Sri Brahmananda Maharaj , with Sri Maharaj’s permission went back to his place. He went straight to Teradala, where he had arranged for Rama nama sapthaha. A large number of people assembled. A thera koti (thirteen crores) Japa sankalpa was made. Soon, the small village of Teradala , became holy with the large number of Anugraheet (initiated) devotees, and the thera koti Japam was completed with in a few months.  Sri Brahmanand Maharaj sent a few villagers to invite Sri Maharaj.for the Sangatha yagnya. But, Sri Maharaj expressed his inability to go there due to his illness, but sent his blessings. But Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was not ready to conduct the ceremony with out Sri Maharaj. So, he postponed the function. After nearly one year, on Sri Maharaj’s strict instruction to complete the Sangatha Ygnya., the sangatha yagnya was carried out in Teradala in a grand and fitting manner. Thousands of people were fed with delicious dishes and the main feature was poor-feeding. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj arranged everything perfectly,.

On request from Pandarpur devotees, Sri Maharaj went to Pandarpur with hundreds of devotees and stayed there for more than three  months. He called Sri Brahmanand to be with him. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj went to Pandarpur and had the pleasure of being with Sri Maharaj. They were staying in the Rama Mandir there. Every day, there was Annadaan, and thousands of people were satiated with the divine Prasad. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was looking after the kitchen and the serving of food.

One day, Sri Maharaj expressed his desire of calling all the Brahmins and beggars of Pandarpur, the next day, for Midday meal. Some one estimated the expenses may go up to one thousand four hundred rupees. Sri Maharaj, asked whether any of the devotees present there can bear the expenses. As no response came from any one, Sri Maharaj asked Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to arrange for the next day’s feast. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj humbly, answered in the affirmative.

That was already late in the evening. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj went to Sri Panduranga darshan, with one of his Karnatak disciples.  On the way, he met a house-holder who bowed to him, and requested him to go to his house which was near by. At his house, he gave a packet, and told him that he had a dream previous night of Sri Panduranga asking him to handover certain amount to Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. So, after collecting the required amount he was going to Sri Rama Mandir to meet Sri Brahmanand Maharj. But, he was pleased to meet him on the way. Now, that he had handed over the packet, he was  satisfied that Sri Panduranga Vithala’s order to him has been carried out, and requested Sri Brahmanand Maharaj to accept it. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was pleased and asked him to visit the Rama Mandir, next day, at 10 a.m. to have darshan of Sri Maharaj and  to take prasadam there.

After returning to his place of stay, Sri Brahmanand checked the contents of the packet and found that there were rupees one thousand four hundred in it, exactly the amount required for the next day’s feast. So, as per Sri Maharaj’s wish, all the Brahmins and Beggars of Pandharpur were invited for the lunch, and a festive food was served to all.

That year, Guru Pournami was celebrated in Pandharpur. The arrangements were grander than at Varanasi, and thousands of devotees garlanded and bowed down to Sri Maharaj’s feet with great fervour and devotion.

Soon after the Guru Pournami ,Sri Maharaj gave permission for Sri Brahmanand to return, and himself went back to Gondavale, with all his retinue.

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A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 11

After returning from  Phandharpur, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj was more meditative. But, the constructions at Venkatapur demanded more of his attention. He himself went to Badami, and got stone pillars  and other slabs for roofing. Transporting those stones to Venkatapur from Badami might have been a Herculean task, at that time.  With no motorized vehicles, transporting on ox driven carts, might have taken a long time and very expensive. But as the work progressed, more stones were needed and had to be procured from Badami.

One Sri Thirukambhat of Hombala., well versed in shastras and quite rich,  was a staunch devotee of Bhagavan Shankar, and he was praying him daily to show the way to emancipation. One day, he had a dream in which Bhagavan Shankar appeared and told him that he will be meeting his Sadguru shortly. Soon after, Sri Brahmanad Maharaj went to his house calling his name. Sri Thirukambhat, suddenly realized that this was the Guru, he was in search of, and the Guru, Bhagvan Shankar pointed out. So, Sri Thirukambatt fell down at the feet of Sri Brahmanand Maharaj and surrendered himself to Him.

Sri Thirukambatt stayed , on the order of Sri Brahmanand Maharaj, at Venkatapur and supervised the works there. He also went to Badami several times to get the required stones.

Sri Guruji Brahmanand Maharaj was active in meeting devotees, traveling from village to village and from town to town, instigating Rama Sapthahas and advising the people to take up Ram-nam.

One day, while he was in Gadag, he woke up early morning, sent for a barber, and got his head shaved. After taking bath, he went inside his room and sat for meditation. He did not come out of the room for a few hours. When he came out of the room, the pensive looking Guruji started immediately for Beladhadhi by walk..

Soon after he went, a telegraphic message was received at Gadag, about Sri Maharaj leaving his body. The message was sent immediately through a young devotee, Sri Nagappa, who ran and caught Guruji with in a few kilometers. Learning about the message, Guruji sat down and wept like a child. He exclaimed, “ The talking God has gone away !, by spending Rs.2/- on a ticket we could have seen him.“. Controlling himself, he went on his journey. But, he was not seen by any one for three days. After three days, he came to Beladhadhi.

At Gondavale, the saddest thing had happened. When Sri Maharaj left his body on Margashira Bahula Dashami, 22-12-1913, there was a commotion. Though Sri Maharaj had told several people of his intending departure, no one was prepared. Sri Bhau Saheb Ketkar sent telegraphic messages to all the devotees. In particular, as no one knew of the whereabouts of Sri Brahmananda Maharaj, he sent the telegrams to several places like Gadag, Hubli, Dharwad etc. 

The devotees there decided to proceed further only after the arrival of Sri Brahmanand Maharaj. But, there was no trace of him. They waited till next day. Then they decided not to wait any longer and cremated the body in the afternoon of 23-12-1913.

At Beladhadhi, Sri Brahmanand Guruji arranged a seven days program starting from the fifth day of Sri Maharaj’s departure. He sent words to all the devotees in the surrounding places, and Nama sapthaha was carried out. A temporary shelter was put up on a big area. Sri Maharaj’s Picture was placed on a high pedestal. Bhajans and Japanushtan was arranged non-stop. Food was arranged for thousands, and the poor people were fed sumptuously, every day. 

A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 12

             A brief biography of a Great Saint – Sri Brahmananda Maharaj - 12

Sri Brahmananda Maharaj showed here that the devotees of Sri Maharaj, have to perform His aradhana wherever they are situated, with Bhajans, Japanushthan and Annadaan.

Though he immediately did not go to Gondavale, he had maintained the contacts. He had to write to  Sri Bhavana Rao, who had kept the Astis (bones) of Sri Maharaj for himself in safe keeping, and was adamant not to give them to anybody, to handover to Sri Haripant Master to be sent for immersion in Triveni Sangam at Prayaag..

When Sri Brahmanand Maharaj went to Gondavale, he arranged to construct a Samadhi Mandir at the place of cremation of Sri Maharaja’s body. On consulting with other devotees, it was decided to construct the Samadhi mandir similar to the one at Sajjanghad. The building was scheduled to be completed before the first Punya Thithi.

That year, Sri Brahmanand Maharaj stayed in Gondavale for Sri Ramotsav. Sri Ramotsav was performed on a grand scale with Bhajans, Japanushthan and Annadaan. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj had taken many disciples with him, among  them there were devotees from Ashwathpur who were good cooks They  cooked  delicious dishes on every day of the Utsav.

Sri Maharaj had left a will. He had divided his property into two portions. One consisted of what he got from his ancestors. And the other portion was what he had earned. The one he inherited, he named his cousins as the inheritors. The other portion was left to Sri Rama Mandir. He named Panchs (five Trustees ) to look after the Rama Mandir.

Sri Maharaj had proposed the trustees as: 1) Brahmananda 2) Appa Saheb Bhadavankar. 3) Bapu Saheb sathe . 4) Tatya sahib chapalgavkar. The fifth one was Himself.

But, Sri Brahmandand Maharaj, after the Ramotsav, told that as he will be in Karnataka, most of the time, it may not be possible to look after the affairs of the Gondavale trust, properly. So, he said that in his place, he would appoint Sri Paagaa Phadanees of Sangli.

Sri Appa Saheb Bhadavankar will be the chief trustee. Sri Brahmanand, however, worked in the interest of the Gondavale Mandir.

Many people of the surrounding places used to keep their money with Sri Maharaj for safe keeping and took back whenever they needed. Sri Maharaj had warned them to take back their money because of his approaching end. But many of them did not respond to his advice. After Sri Maharaj left his body, they were worried about their money and wanted it back.  But it seemed difficult for the Mandir trust to return as per their demands. A few of their demands seemed to be bogus. Sri Maharaj had not kept any written account of them. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj came to the rescue. He told Sri Appa Saheb, “Is it not the duty of the children to meet the commitments made by their father? So, we have to return any money Sri Maharaj had to pay. Those people are asking in the name of  Sri Maharaj. Whether it is true or false is not our concern. Sri Maharaj will take care of it. We will raise the amount required among ourselves, and pay back”.  The amount the trust had to pay was about Rs.3000=00 . Sri Brahmanad  took out Rs.500=00 from his bag, and gave it to Sri Appa Saheb. Immediately, the other devotees present also gave their contribution and soon, Rs.3000=00 was collected and demands of all those people were met with.

 Sri Brahmanand Maharaj made a tour and went to up to Jalna to collect funds for the construction of the Samadhi Mandir. He had many followers, in Karnataka, who donated for the construction.

Sri Appa Saheb Bhadavankar looked after the construction of the Mandir, and reported the completion of the building to Sri Brahmanada Maharaj. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj and Sri Mahabhagavat went to Kurtakoti and brought to Gondavale, the best one among  the three Shila Padukas  which were graced by Sri Maharaj by standing on each of them, when he visited Kurtakoti..

Everything was arranged to install the Padukas during the first Aradhana Mahotsav.

Sri Brahmanand Maharaj toured extensively and invited all the devotees for the installation ceremony and the Aradhanotsav. Invitations were also posted to devotees of Sri Maharaj, all over India.

A big temporary shelter was erected; a temporary kitchen with a store was also built.

As the day approached devotees began to pour in. Arrangements were made for their comfortable stay. All the ten days, the kitchen was active serving the devotees with Tea, breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

The Divine Padukas were installed in the Samadhi Mandir on Margashira Bahula Padyami. Sri Brahmanand Maharaj spoke a few words on Sri Maharaj: “Do not be discouraged that our Sadgurunatha has disappeared from our eyes by leaving his earthly body. Know that, that Great Prophet is re-born to-day. Earlier, being inside the material body, he could only be at Gondavale to think about the welfare of his devotees. But, now, in his spiritual form, he has enveloped the whole world and protects the devotees by staying eternally in their hearts. Installing the kind Sadguru in your heart, bowing down to his feet, chant day and night the Sri Rama Taraka Mantra initiated by him. Sri Ram will definitely take care of you”. Having said these words, Sri Brahmananda Maharaj did the Arathi, and then chanted the Guru Parampara Stotra: 'Narayantwaadi gurum paresham….. ' Performing the deergha danda Pranam, he started the Bhajan: Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram Patita Pavana Seeta Ram. which was repeated by the others. Thus started the Akhanda Bhajan which continued non stop for ten days. Likewise, Akhanda Japanushtan, Purana pravachan, Keerthan, continued for ten days upto Margashira Bahula Dashami..