Shri. Gagangiri Maharaj            

Yogiraj Shri. Gagangiri Maharaj,original name,'Shripad', from Patankar family and belongs to village Manadure in Maharashtra,India. At the age of 7 he left his home and He went to Battees-Shirala,where there is Math (Dwelling) of Nathsampradaya(cult).

Sri Gagangiri Maharaj as a youthful sanyasi, also moved about with Mahants (Senior Sages) right up to the Himalayas.

During pilgrimages he learnt yoga and religious practices. He travelled a lot to places such as Nepal, Bhutan, Manas Sarovar etc.He travelled through the valley of Ganga, Himachal Pradesh and reached near Badrika Ashram,ice-clad mountains.

When Gagangiri Maharaj was extremely tired and he decided to rest in a cave. When he was resting, a sage wearing saffron robes appeared there from the mountains.

He sprinkled water from his Kamandalu(Pot) on the his face.He did a number of Kaya Kalpas (Rejuvenation). In this process he invented several new concepts in Tantrik techniques and proved them true.

He said "You will now attain the state of salvation, and you shall be responsible for the welfare of humanity and you shall go to the South. Accordingly, Maharaj moved from the cave. He experienced a lot of difficulties and arrived at Rhishikesh.

Swamiji then decided to move all over India alone on foot and accordingly his journey started. He did penance at a number of places like Mauli Kund, Mauli Kada, Zanzu water etc.

He did penance in a pond near the river at Sangashi, Vazar, Vesraf, Palsambe, Ramling etc. Later he went to Vijaydurg, in the Konkan area from where he reached Bombay by steamer. During 1945 to 1948, he did Kayakalpa at Angale, near Rajapur in Konkan.

In Bombay between 1948 to 1950, he stayed in Dadi Hirji Parsi graveyards, near the temple of Maruti, at shidi near Walkeshwar. Similarly, he did penance in the barren, rocky beach at Breach Candy, Mahalaxmi, BanGanga etc.

He also did penance in the Papeti bunglow of Dadi Hirji, as well as near the well in the graveyard.Shri Maharaj built small shelters for himself in the caves of trees as his dwelling place.

This rough attire known as Walkal would be sufficient for him as protection in rainy days, for continuing his penance. This continuous penance and struggle helped him to achieve considerable amount of self-realization, which was of immense benefit for him.

This resulted in a great Punya ie spiritual merit. As people benefited from his meditation,started worshipping and respecting him.His life style can be described in words "Such a Yogi Living alone by himself understand and accomplishes the Art of Life."

Living alone sleeping on the banks of rivers, listening to the flowing of the river water, drying the entire body by solar radiation, sleeping on rock, meditating continuously, staying absolutely still under water, keeping mind completely at rest, keeping all the physical desires under control and having only clean, hygienic, pious, wholesome pure and acceptable food.

One should always crave for the company of a Yogi, since that is the real secret of peaceful life.

Delivering A Speech