Anand Sagar – Shree Gajanan Maharaj – Shegaon, Maharashtra

Hello friends! I am back with the continued tour of Shree Gajanan Maharaj, Shegaon in Maharashtra on the Mumbai-Nagpur route. In these I will share with you the good & memorable moments we have spent at “Anand Sagar”.

26th January, 2013
As we got the accommodation in Anand Vihar, after lunch we decided to go for Anand Sagar which was 1.5km away from Anand Vihar.

One can easily reach Anand Sagar as there is regular free bus service from Bhakta Niwas 5 & 6, which drops near to the main gate of Anand Sagar and also one can reach here by Auto. As it was near Anand Vihar, we hired a shared Auto, which charged us Rs 10/- per seat.

Before we move ahead, lets have some information about Anand Sagar.

Anand Sagar is developed by Shree Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, taking in to consideration the increasing number of devotees coming at Shegaon Mandir for Darshan, as there was no place nearby Shegaon to spare time. Sansthan has decided to develop a place which should be spiritual as well as entertainment Center for Devotees.

Anand Sagar is spread in 350 acres area, and the main work of project began on 8th April, 1999. The Sanstha was facing water problem, which was big challenge to them and they brought water from Man River which is 9 km away from here & done rain harvesting which help them to overcome water problem. Around 500 laborers & around 200 expert Sculptors from Rajasthan worked here to create main Entrance, Marble Temple & other Sculptures. Initial estimation of the project to be implemented in three phases was of 300 Crore Rupees. It was dedicated to Country on 12th December, 2002 by Vice President, Hon. Shree Bhairavshinghji Shekhawat.

Anand Sagar is a huge complex with a big lake, several Green Lawns, Children’s Playing area, Temples, Meditation Centre, An Fish Aquarium, Open Theatre where Fountain show is conducted, Beautifully decorated with Sate of art artifacts & carvings all over Area, an Amusement park with a Toy Train encircling the entire place. In Anand Sagar around 50,000 trees of different types has been planted. An Artificial island of 300’ x 60’ x 40’ size has been created in the center, to create same as Swami Vivekanand Center at Kanyakumari. In which there is “Dhyan Kendra [Meditation Centre]” & Statue of Swami Vivekanand with around 30’ to 35’ size.

There is a good facility for dining at economical rates. There are many amenities for the devotees, including free wheel chairs, baby prams and Umbrellas. To cover all places at least in Anand Sagar it will take around 8 to 10 Hours.

Now let us move ahead with the journey, as we reach Anand Sagar there, Big Ganeshji created with the help of many small coppers LOTA’s on the Main gate, which was attracting the people. Many of them try to catch in Camera & we too.

As we go ahead we show there is Queue to Entrance Ticket, they Charge Rs. 30/- , I stand in queue and one Sevak come & update details of number of person & age group & given slip to be given on window, after 10 minutes my number come & I got the entry ticket. If someone has given Donation, then there is no entry fee for them; just they have to show the Donation receipt at the Ticket Window.

Just near to the window there was a huge Entry gate & we all have to pass through security check, as we entered there was a water flow nearby steps and in front there was a big fountain & in between there was a statue of sitting Saint & just opposite it was covered with status of other saints.

Just we were moving we pass by Ganesh Temple, Big Greens lawns & everywhere there was some message posted in between & direction signs, which help a lot.

We entered a place called “Shri Krishna Dwarka bet” to reach there we have to cross through Bridge, which was on rope & use wooden to make, after crossing bridge there was statue of Shri Krishanji & shown there Leela & ahead there was a park & dinning place, in which where was too big queue to take a coupon for snacks & everyone & we too enjoyed snacks & drinks.

Now it’s time for us to move fast, because we have short time & still we have to cover too many things, so we moved towards “Dhyan Kendra”. As Anand Sagar has huge water reservoir & spread around 55 acres land. An Island is created in the center of the lake. A replica of Swami Vivekanand Center at Kanyakumari is created on the Island.

A Statue of Swami Vivekanand constructed on the top & below there was a meditation hall created, in which there is no permission for the children. To reach their boat Service is also available.

As we reached to Dhyan Mandir, on the main door Sevak has informed us to switch off cell phone & keep silence & go ahead, we move head & reach place where Status of Swami Vivekananad & Saint Ramakrishna Paramahansa was there & it’s was above the meditation hall & as the place was little above, view from there was very good & we can see the beauty of Anand Sagar.

After that we gone at Meditation hall & done meditation for some time & move from there as it’s was already 5.00pm.

It’s time for us to move ahead & by walking we have seen the Toy Train passing by & we decided let have a ride on it, as we reach the station from where it’s start’s, there was a big queue & some who has tickets were waiting for train too come, so we drop plan the & decided to take some break & rest on a Green lawn.

After Break it’s time for us to move ahead, Nearby there was Shiv Temple & carving of temple was very good, Entry gate of temple was just like some Old Temple with good carving & Temple was surrounded by 4 big size “Diva” & 4 big size “Nandi” , by flowers & by Green lawn.

Just near to Temple there was refreshment center & opposite there was kid play with rides.

After taking some snacks we move ahead to see “Fish Aquarium”, as we reach there was small queue & as we entered in Aquarium it was like we are entering in cave & there was little light. As we go ahead there was good collection of fish.

It was already 6.15pm & we have to see Open Theater Musical Fountain Show which was at 6.45pm to 7.00pm, & there was also 2 more shows after that & we decided to see 6.45pm show & still we have half an hour to move around, but we decided let move so that we can grip front seat, as we reach at Musical fountain, it was already crowded & it was in an open area created like a theater & given the shape of chair using green lawn. People were already seated, but still there was place & we got as we desired.

As there was time to begin in between there was continued announcement regarding the information related to Shree Gajanan Maharaj Sanstha, Colleges & Musical Fountain & Requesting so take seat in front of fountain.

Hotel in Shegaon

Before we go ahead let give some information about Open Theater Musical Fountain:

Open Theater Musical Fountain is a type of animated fountain that creates an aesthetic design. This Achieved by employing the effects of times sound waves and timed light against water particles. The Water Refracts & reflects light & in doing so, three dimensional image can be produced.

As it was already 6.45pm, all lights was off & Music was stopped and after some time show starts, it was really worth & we were just involved in the show that we never know how these 15minteus has gone & show has been finished. It’s time for us to move by taking some sweet memory of “Anand Sagar” a great place.

As we reach to exit point, there was a big queue for free bus & as we were too much tired after full day roaming in Anand Sagar & have no power to stand in queue & wait for bus, so decided to take Auto & auto has charged as Rs 20/- per head to drop near Bhakta Niwas 5&6.

As we reached near temple, there was big queue for Darshan, so we decided to have “Mukh Darshan” in which there were few devotees in queues. After an hour we have done Darshan. After Darshan we have taken Abhishek Receipt for tomorrow morning, which was in the temple premises & it will save time in morning, receipt can be taken in morning also as counter open early in morning.

Booking.com

After that have dinner at Bhakta Niwas 5&6 and move toward Room at Anand Vihar & we were so tired that as we went on bed, we never know when we went for sleep. As we have to weak up at 4.15am for Abhishek. Jai Gajanan Maharaj.. Gan Gan Ganat Bote

In this way I have finished my blog & as it was a memorable journey, which cannot be forgettable & in these way we have finished our small trip of Shree Gajanan Maharaj … Jai Gajanan Maharaj.. Gan Gan Ganat Bote

It is advisable to you please visit Anand Sagar whenever you visit Shegaon & I am sure you & your family will enjoy at Anand Sagar… Gan Gan Ganat Bote.

Before I end, just want to summarize the Whole things which will help you to plan your trip at Shegaon.
1. Please try to make travel plan on odd day such as Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday when you will find less rush at Shegaon & you can take Darshan peacefully. On Thursday & weekend there is always rush.
2. While travelling at Shegaon – Train is the best way to reach, From Shegaon Station to Temple there is free bus Service provided by the Sansthan & you can also hire Auto @ Rs. 10/- per seat, which runs 24 hours.
3. As you reach near Bhakta Niwas, you will find agent roaming around & they will try to convince you for lodging outside the Bhakta Niwas, please never pay attention to them & Check the status at Bhakta Niwas, as Sansthan has lot of room for devotees.
4. After you do Darshan of Shree Gajanan Maharaj, please do Darahan of Ram Temple & Hanuman Temple & Apply “Angara” Near hanuman Temple.
5. Try to have Mahaprasad, which begins after the Aarti.
6. For Food use dining facilities provided by Sanstha, were you will good quality food & at reasonable rate.
7. For Anand Sagar at least you should spare 6 to 7 hours.
8. Try to have “Kachori” which is famous in Shegaon.

Thanks for reading & if I miss something, please update me for the same. Gan Gan Ganat Bote!