This Dandakvan Ashram is the Sadguru’s abode

“This Dandakvan Ashram is the Sadguru’s abode. Its importance is immeasurable. Those men and women who pine for God, when they come here, in this Dandakvan, when they behold this ultimate holy place or stay here, they will be entitled to Bhakti (devotion) and Mukti (liberation).”

                                               THE MYSTIC’S ABODE: DANDAKVAN

The heat of Surat makes it hard to believe that a forest is nearby. When you are out to explore new places, even on a pilgrimage, it is always advisable to carry a guide map. A trip to Dandakvan is special because it’s a special place, and visits to special places make the occasion special as well.  This is not just another forest that one can visit to enjoy the greenery and wildlife. For that purpose, there are many more options in the Indian sub-continent.  This place is special because it’s a lot more than a forest.

Dandakvan is the most ancient forest in this part of the world. “Dandakvan” is a Sanskrit word which means, a forest that punishes the sinners. When one lands in the zone of Dandak Van, it’s hard to imagine how anyone can get punished in such a beautiful place – it’s almost like a green heaven. But Ahilya did get punished here, as she was reduced to stone form after being cursed by her husband Sage Gautam.  It was only when Shri Ram’s foot brushed the stone, that she was liberated from the curse and able to regain her human form.

The Dandak Van finds mention in scriptures as ancient as the Brahmanas and the Ramayana. Historically, it is a very significant place and the natural beauty – a culmination of the river, hills, forests and wildlife, almost has a magical effect.  But what really adds to its gravity is the spirituality part.

This forest has been home to many sages and seers. Maharshi Gautam lived here and performed penance. Brahmarshi Vishwamitra visited this place along with Shri Ram. Sadguru Kabir Das lived in a place called Kabir-Vad on the banks of River Narmada. Sadguru Maharshi Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj visited the Kabir-Vad here in the year 1944. This is the land where an ashram of Sadguru Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj was built. This very ashram is our travel destination this issue – the ashram that stands tall as the torchbearer of the light of the ancient science of complete knowledge and true spirituality (Brahmavidya), an ashram that has been witness to divine miracles of the Sadguru Lord.

Blessed with lush greenery and natural beauty all around, this ashram is located in tranquility near Vansda in the state of Gujarat. Surrounded by the hills and forests of the Dandakvan, the Kaveri river flows clear pretty near. This ashram is many ways the soul of the Dandakvan because it is here only that one can come to know about the miracles that once happened, about the knowledge of consciousness that once existed in ancient times and has now been revived in the 20^th century, about the technique that was practiced here by the sages thousands of years ago. The stories of this ashram and the surrounding areas combine with the heavenly beauty all around to leave an everlasting effect on the visitor. Plus, there is also a lot of spiritual energy in this ashram that can be felt by anybody who meditates or even visits here.

The ashram is located at a place from which all other major hotspots (or places worth a visit) are nearby. One can say, the location of this ashram is quite ideal. The entire Dandak forest is tranquil alright and fit for meditation, but the technique of meditation (Brahmavidya) can be learnt here as this ashram also serves as an international center of Vihangam Yoga meditation. Apart from this, the ashram has its own history which is extremely interesting and very much realistic also.

History of the Ashram:

Yogiraj Maharshi Sadguru Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj, who revived the knowledge of Brahmavidya after hundreds of years, and established Vihangam Yoga, visited the Kabir-Vat near this place in the year 1944. He was then requested by his disciples to visit Dandak Van. There, he met Shri Shardul Singh Solanki, an influential person from the erstwhile princely state of Vansda. Shri Solanki did his best for the spread of Vihangam Yoga in Gujarat. It was at his behest that the Raja of Vansda donated this land for the ashram.

Attractions In & Around the Ashram:

Jata Samadhi Mandir: In the basement of the central temple known as the Jata Samadhi Mandir, is a Samadhi of Sadguru Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj’s nails and locks, created in the year 1953. Swamiji had taken an oath that until India was freed from British Raj, he’d not cut his nails and hair.

Prakatya Mandir: The temple on the left is known as the “Prakatya Mandir” where Nitya Anadi Sadgurudeo (Eternal Sadguru) appeared before the present Sadguru Acharya Shri Swatantra Deo Ji Maharaj.

Brahma Vidya Vedi Mandir: Where this temple stands today, there used to be a mango tree where Sadguru Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj wrote the exposition of Sadguru Kabir Saheb’s principal creation, “Bijak”. He also used to answer the queries of spiritual seekers here. Therefore is this temple called the Brahma Vidya Vedi Mandir.

Bamnia Bhut: Sadguru Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj visited this place regularly from 1944 to 1954. Near this ashram is a place called Bamnia Bhut where the first statue of Sadgurudeo was erected.

Experience at the ashram: Truly Magnetic, a must visit.

Facilities: Accommodation facility is pretty good for an ashram, very hygienic and a park adds to the beauty. Food is vegetarian and satvic yet pretty tasty. People at the ashram are very simple, reliable, helpful and knowledgeable.

If you want to know something or attend a Satsang, you need not worry. Vedic Yajnas are conducted here and one can attend them. It’s a great place to meditate and learn for sure. Modes of communication are phone, mobile, internet (no Wi-Fi), whereas conveyance is not an issue since town is nearby. Basically, it’s a place well-connected but still an ashram where you can experience and learn a lot, a sort of place that can help you evolve as a person and realize your goal.

Geographical Location

Dandakvan is a beautiful forest located in the Sahyadri hill ranges of south-west India. The forests are deciduous and full of wildlife. Saputara, the only hill station of Gujarat, is located in this range. Saputara is full of natural beauty and is merely 47 kilometers away from the Maharshi Sadafal Deo ashram at Dandakvan.

Historical significance

The Dandakvan is historically the most significant forest of India. Once upon a time, it was a kingdom of forest but with time, things changed. Humans encroached upon the forest, and today it has reduced to a huge extent. It is a kingdom of forest no more. But it still is pretty vast, green, mystic and adventurous. Ancient scriptures such as the Brahmanas, the Ramayana and many more tell us about the Dandak forest. The Dandakvan is historically the most significant forest of India.

Spiritual significance              

Dandakvan is not just another forest. It is actually a place of immense spiritual importance. This is the reason why every human being must visit this place. Maharshi Gautam performed penance here. Maharshi Vishwamitra visited this place along with Shri Ram. Sadguru Kabirdas lived here in the place that is now famous as Kabir-Vat. Located on the banks of river Narmada, it is a geographically beautiful and spiritually amazing place.

Places to visit

Maharshi Sadafal Deo Ashram – Jata Nakh Samadhi Mandir, Prakatya Mandir, Brahma Vidya Vedi Mandir

Bamnia Bhut – Temple of Sadguru Maharshi Sadafal Deo Ji Maharaj, located very near to the ashram at Vansda.

Saputara – Hill station with waterfalls, cottages, caves, sunrise point, and sunset point

Vansda National Park – A wildlife sanctuary (protected area and a no felling zone)

Kabir -Vat – On the banks of River Narmada, this place is still full of spiritual vibes. There are many stories that do the rounds regarding the uniqueness of the banyan tree here i.e. the Vat where Kabir Saheb meditated. One such story is that Saheb planted a datun (twig of a tree) here and it took the form of a banyan tree. The branches of the banyan tree then formed many more trees. See the picture to believe it.

Things to do

·         Meditation

·         Yoga

·         Sightseeing

·         Satsang

·         Vedic Yajna

·         Trekking

Pointers

Nearest Airport/Railhead: Surat

Bus stand: Vansda, Gujarat

By Road: 255 kilometers from Mumbai/35 kilometers from Surat

Contact: +91 2630 222530

Vasya Talab, Vansda, Navasari, Gujarat

Dandakvan Ashram web link

                                                                                                                    Source: Vihangam Yoga Times