Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj
Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj
alias Shree Preetinand Swamikumar Maharaj was blessed by Akkalkot-Niwasi
Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj. Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj gave him 'Silver Padukas',
one 'Wooden Dand' (arm rest during meditation), one 'Jholi' (a beggars
wallet to collect alms) and instructed him "For your maintenance collect alms
on every Thursday. There would be no shortage for you at all".
He came to Mumbai from
Akkalkot to the Muth at Kandewadi, Mumbai and stayed with Shree Swamisut Maharaj. Shree
Swamisut Maharaj instructed Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj to go to a place Markandi,
Chiplun Taluka, District Ratnagiri, and worship the 'Silver Padukas' of Shree Swami
Samarth Maharaj installed by Shree Brahmacharibua Maharaj.
Accordingly, Shree Gopalbua
Kelkar Maharaj along with his wife came to the village Markandi (Chiplun Taluka), raised
one hermitage and started staying there. On every Thursday he used to collect the alms and
with available rice, the husband and wife used to pull on for a week. Gradually the
saintliness of Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj spread in the village Markandi and the
devotees started crowding the hermitage for his blessings. Later, on Shree Gopalbua Kelkar
Maharaj raised one Muth (Temple-shrine) and installed the 'Silver Padukas'
given by Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj.
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