Draft:Mukund (Nana) Maheshwar Karandikar

Revered Mukund Maheshwar Karandikar (Nana) is a Param Shishya of Shree Swami Samarth of Akkalkot, Maharashtra, India. Swami Samarth used to address him as 'Beta' (beloved son). When Nana Karandikar was at pinnacle of worldly success at the age of 41 years, Swami Samarth gave Darshan to Nana in Swami's physical form. Nana asked, " Swami, who are you?" " I am Maharudra Hanuman" Swami replied and appeared in the form of Lord Hanuman with Ram-Sita in his heart. Swami Samarth instructed Nana to quit his job and spread devotion and Bhakti in society.

In spite of having many family responsibilities, revered Nana immediately quit his job and following Swami's instructions embarked upon the journey of spreading Bhakti in society. Nana was wholeheartedly supported on this spiritual journey by his devoted wife Shrimati Manorama Karandikar.

In 1976, through inspiration provided by Shree Swami Samarth, revered Nana successfully completed a walking pilgrimage (padayatra) from Thane to Akkalkot (in Maharashtra state, India) on his own. Revered Nana has shared his experience during this pilgrimage(padyatra) in his book "Anandyatra" in Marathi.

In 1979, Swami Samarth instructed revered Nana to undertake a walking pilgrimage (padayatra) from Thane (Maharashtra, India) to Jagannathpuri temple at Puri, in Orissa state, India. His experiences during this pilgrimage have been documented in the Marathi book 'Lakshya Lakshya Pavalan chi Katha." The English translation of this book " Journey of A million Steps' is also available.

On 1st October 1979, on the auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dashmi, revered Nana founded an organisation named Swami Samarth Parivar. People from far away and all walks of life would visit Nana with their problems and Nana would offer solutions and alleviate their difficulties. revered nana would guide them towards Bhakti, worship and devotion to Shree Swami Samarth.

In 1980, revered Nana suffered from a severe illness. During this period, Swami Samarth instructed Nana to construct a temple at a place having natural beauty and install a " Murti" (idol) of Swami Samarth in that temple which would be an exact replica of the form in which Swami Samarth gave darshan to Nana. In 1981, land for the temple was purchased in Nangargaon area of Lonavala which is a beautiful hill station located near Pune and Mumbai.

The task of sculpting Swami's "Murti " (idol) was entrusted to Shyam Sarang of Dadar Mumbai. The 6-foot-tall "Murti of Shree Swami Samarth was installed at the temple at Lonavala on 15th April 1984 on the auspicious day of Hanuman Jayanti. However, on 16th January 1984, 3 months before Murti installation, revered Nana passed away, leaving his physical body, to unite eternally with Swami Samarth.

The work of management of Swami Samart Parivar and Swami Samarth mandir at Lonavala was carried forward by Manorama Karandikar, known as "Nani", as per indications given by Shree Swami Samarth. Revered " Nani" carried out the work with total devotion for the next 19 years.

At present the stewardship of Swami Samarth Parivar is in the able hands of Sou. Ujjawalatai Karandikar-Date (Tai) who is the daughter of revered Nana Karandikar.