Sri Walkeshwar Kashi Math | Satyavijaya Shenoy, Mumbai

From - Saraswati Prabha Deepavali Special Issue 1993

Sri Walkeshwar Kashi Math is situated in the holy pilgrim center called Walkeshwar, on the banks of the sacred tank named Banganga. History tells us that this Matha was established some two hundred years ago. At that time, a prominent, wealthy gentleman who held a high post in the East India Company, Sri Rama Kamath, invited the 7th pontiff of Sri Kashi Math, Shrimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swami, from Kashi and donated this sacred plot of land to him, as recorded in history. Around that water body stand several temples. The Matha was founded by Shrimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swami on this very site. This spot is exquisitely scenic, located right on the seashore.

There is a mythological legend behind why this place is named Walkeshwar. It is also called Valukeshwar. Valuka means sand. Because of the Linga made of sand (renuka), it came to be known as Valukeshwar. Once, after the abduction of Sita, Lord Rama and Lakshmana stepped out from Panchavati in search of Sita and arrived at this very Banganga. At that time, Sage Gautama and other Brahmins resided here. Hearing the grief of Sita's abduction and seeing Lord Rama's sorrow, Sage Gautama advised him that he should bring a Shiva Linga from Kashi and worship it, whereby his mission would be accomplished successfully. Immediately, Lakshmana set out to bring a Linga from Kashi. However, as the auspicious time was passing and the Linga had not yet arrived. Lord Rama fashioned a Linga out of sand (renuka) from the seashore, performed its Prana Pratishtha (consecration), and worshiped it. Through that worship, Lord Sri Ramachandra obtained the direct vision (darshan) of Lord Shiva, who granted the boon of fearlessness, assuring that his mission would succeed. For this reason, the place came to be called Valukeshwar. Similarly, Banganga is a sacred lake. The lore holds that this holy water source (Ganga) sprang forth when Parashurama—the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu—shot an arrow from the Sahyadri mountains.

There is another version of the legend: when Lord Ramachandra, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, was wandering in search of Sita after her abduction, he arrived here feeling intensely thirsty. Since no sweet water was found despite searching, he shot an arrow directly into the netherworld (Patala Loka), from where the Ganga emerged. The Skanda Purana mentions that his thirst was fully quenched by that sacred Ganga water.

In this Sri Valukeshwar Kashi Math of ours, Shrimat Madhavendra Tirtha Swami entered Sajeeva Samadhi (live samadhi/Vrindavan). In all of Hindustan (India), there are only three such Sajeeva Samadhis:

1. Saint Sri Jnaneshwar at Alandi

2. Sri Raghavendra Swami at Mantralayam

3. The third Samadhi is here at Walkeshwar Kashi Math.

Even to this day, the divine effulgence (divya tejas) of Shrimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swami comes daily in the morning to bathe in Banganga. Shrimad Sukriteendra Tirtha Swamiji himself personally stated that the distinct sound of his wooden sandals (padukas) can be heard as he comes and goes. Because Madhavendra Swami was an exalted ascetic (Maha Tapasvi), while he was taking a bath in the Ganga at Kashi, the idol of Bindu Madhava manifested in his hands, which was later consecrated at Mulki and achieved great renown.

Close to the Samadhi of Shrimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swami is also the Samadhi of Shrimat Varadendra Tirtha Swami. Shrimad Varadendra Tirtha Swami entered Samadhi at this sacred site in the year 1914. After Shrimad Varadendra Swamiji attained Samadhi, Shrimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji had his divine vision (darshan) in Bantwal. The late priest Venkatesha Bhat Mam also experienced his divine vision here.

Not only that, his astrological birth chart (Jataka) is regarded as one of the most supreme in the entire Guru Parampara. The chart revealed his charismatic presence, gravitas, nature of having no enemies (Ajatashatru), and that he was a great yogi, profound scholar, and master of diplomacy (Chanakya). He was proficient in 15–16 languages and possessed mastery over 10–15 diverse fields of arts and sciences—such as the science of mantras (Mantra Vidya), printing/typography, music, telegraphy, photography, and more.

Considering what an extraordinary blessing it is for the disciple community of Mumbai that the Samadhis of two great Swamijis are present at Sri Walkeshwar Kashi Math, a marble statue of Shrimat Sukriteendra Tirtha Swami was installed facing the Samadhi of Shrimad Varadendra Tirtha Swami. Gazing at the statue evokes the divine experience of having the living, direct audience (pratyaksha sajeeva darshan) of Shrimad Sukriteendra Swamiji.

At this sacred site, various religious observances, bhajans, and non-stop chanting of the Lord's names (Akhanda Nama Smarana) are conducted on relevant occasions. Most notably, an Akhanda Bhajana Saptaha (week-long continuous bhajan) is celebrated on Margashirsha Shuddha Panchami. on that same day, the Aradhana / Punya Tithi of Shrimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swami is celebrated with immense grandeur. Likewise, at other designated times, the Aradhanas and Punya Tithis of respective Swamijis are commemorated.

Currently, in view of the upcoming Chaturmasya of 1994, the Matha has undergone complete renovation. Granite flooring has been laid on all four sides, and the circumambulation pathway (Pradakshina marga) has been fitted with marble. Preparations are in full swing with the objective of providing all possible facilities to ensure maximum convenience for every visiting devotee and disciple during the sacred Chaturmasya period.