• Personal experiences of visiting ashram of Nath Sant Param Pujya Gagangiri Maharaj at Manori, near Mumbai.

August Three 2025 is etched in my memory forever as on that day I visited the sacred Param Pujya Gagangiri Maharaj Ashram situated at Manori near Mumbai.

Param Pujya Gagangiri Maharaj was an Indian Saint who belonged to Nath Sampradaya. He was known for his water penances and intense meditation practices.

The journey for six of us from Marve Beach, Malad to Manori started with a thrilling ferry ride experience, offering breath taking views of the sea, but nothing could have prepared me for the divine experience that awaited me at the ashram.

As we stepped into the serene surroundings of the ashram, nestled on a hilltop amidst 55 acres of lush greenery, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquillity.

In the ashram, there is Lord Dattatreya’s temple. Lord Dattatreya, a revered Hindu deity, is considered an aspect of the Divine Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. His name is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Datta" meaning "given" and "Atreya" referring to the sage Atri, his biological father. Dattatreya is often depicted with three heads, representing the Trinity, and six hands, each holding symbolic items such as the Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Trishul, Kamandalu, and Begging Bowl. These symbols convey the message of spiritual growth, self-realization, and the pursuit of knowledge.

As I walked towards the Lord Dattatreya temple, I could feel the vibrations of this sacred space.

At entrance to the temple, four dogs, considered as Shwan (messengers) of Lord Dattatreya, greeted us warmly. It is believed that the four Shwans depicted at the feet of Lord Dattatreya represent the Four Vedas as per Hindu scriptures while another school of thought believes they represent the Four States of Consciousness namely waking, dreaming, deep sleep and the Turiya which represents self-realisation or enlightenment.  One of the dogs approached me, placing its paws on my chest! I felt an intense sense of connection, as if two souls were embracing. It was as if the universe was welcoming me with open arms, and I felt a deep sense of belonging.

Inside the temple, I was alone and sat in a corner, ready to sing a bhajan composed by Tulsidas, a renowned 16th century Hindu poet-saint. As I gazed at the statue of Lord Dattatreya, I felt an unspoken message: “You sing, I am ready to listen.” 

I began singing ‘Main Hari Patit Pavan Suni’. I had barely sung the following two lines 'Main Hari Patit Pavan Suni' (I have heard that You free people from their sins) and 'Main Patit, Tum Patit Pavan' (I am a sinner and You are the One who frees people from their sins), however, I could not sing any further, as the next line was 'Dau Banak Bane' meaning that when we come together, now there is nothing to stop me from becoming free of sins. 

Tears welled up in my eyes and I just could not sing this line. I was overwhelmed with emotions, feeling unworthy to reach out to God. It took me a while to compose myself and then as I continued my singing, I felt a sense of surrender and devotion. The experience was nothing short of divine. I felt like I was melting into the divine presence, and my heart was overflowing with love and gratitude. The bhajan ended with the lyric that I am your disciple and have come to your Feet, please accept me.

As soon as I stepped outside the temple, one of our group members, commented that my singing had significantly improved compared to the last time I sang this song. She also mentioned that the birds outside the temple had begun chirping as soon as I started singing, which amazed me. However, I had not shared my experience inside the temple with her.

Next, inside the ashram, we visited the Ekai Mata temple, where I felt the all-pervading Shakti and protection offered by the Mother. The experience deepened my understanding of the divine feminine and the nurturing aspect of the universe.

The highlight of our visit was participating in the Havan pooja, a sacred ritual where offerings are made to the fire, often as a form of worship, purification, or spiritual growth. I was blessed to be the Yajman (main person who conducts the pooja) for the Havan.

Blessings of Lord Ganesha, Param Pujya Gagangiri Maharaj were invoked before the commencement of the Havan. The Havan was conducted over a period of almost two hours and the divine feelings and blessings were felt throughout this pooja. This was followed by the Maha Prasad, sacred offerings that are first offered to the deity during the Havan and then distributed amongst devotes. The Maha Prasad is believed to carry divine blessings and energy. 

As we returned to Marve by ferry, I felt grateful for the experience, which has left an indelible mark on my heart. 

I bow down to Lord Dattatreya, for blessing us with this divine experience. A special thanks to the Trustee of Param Pujya Gagangiri Ashram, Shri Nishad Patankar, for the kindness and hospitality bestowed to our group members during the visit. 

Chanting the Dattatreya Mantra can bring numerous benefits, including removal of Pitru dosha or the curse of deceased ancestors, harmony and happiness in the family, peace of mind, and freedom from afflictions. Some of the powerful mantras include:

*Dattatreya Mool Mantra*

Oṁ Śrī Gurudeva Datta

ॐ श्री गुरुदेव दत्त

*Dattatreya Mantra for Spiritual Growth*

Oṁ Aiṁ Hrīṁ Śrīṁ Dattātreyāya Namaḥ

 ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं दत्तात्रेयाय नमः

*Dattatreya Mantra for Blessings*

 Oṁ Dattātreya Avadhūtāya Namaḥ

ॐ दत्तात्रेय अवधूताय नमः

May our hearts remain filled with the love and light of Lord Dattatreya, guiding us on our journey toward self-discovery and inner-peace.

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