Sajjangad

Though this place is more famous for its hill forts but Sajjangad temple is the place where Samarth Ramdas stayed. Samarth Ramdas, the spiritual guru of the Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj also spent his last days at this same place is often crowded with devotees. The temple is 10 km. from the Satara district where you can get divine blessings of the spiritual master and guru Ramdas Samarth who rests in peace here. Sajjangad means gad or place where sajjan (loyal, good by nature and thinkings)people lives. The  fort is builded by Bahamani rular then Adilshah captured the fort in (1527-1686). And on 2 April 1673 Shivaji Maharaj take over the gad from Adilshah.

At present maintenance of Sajjangad is done by ‘Shri Ramdas Swami Sansthan’ Trust; has existed from 400 years. On the gad there is Paduka of Ramdas swami, a small museum like room where the vessels, clothes, Kamandalu and other things used by Ramdas swami are kept. Now there is a liabrary and book stall where books regarding Ramdas swami are available. There also free prasad to every one by Shri Swami Samarth Seva Mandal.

The routine work of seva mandal includes morning prayer, abhishek, puja, Mahanaivedya, Bhajan and reading of Ramdasswami written Dasbodh. Which includes tips for current lifestyle also, our culture, education and each and every aspect of life.  The fort is open to devotees from 5.00am to 9.00 pm. Now there is also facility to live for 1/2 days, for students of Ramdas swami known as Ramdasis their full arrangement of education, food, shelter is done by seva mandal trust. There is also Shridharswami samadhi sthal. On your way towards the temple, you will also find the 11 Marutis small murties and poems of Ramdas on both the sides of the road which is a different experience altogether. The main temple is the Samadhi place i.e the final resting place of Ramdas Swami where idols of God Rama are on the top while the Samadhi is on the basement which is really a peaceful area to just sit and relax.

How to go here :

Sajjangad is 18 km. away from Satara city. From Satara to Sajjangad local bus service, autos are available till bottom of Sajjangad, and then we have to climb the 750 steps to reach till top; now half the distance we can cover with vehicle and then only 185 steps have to climb. There is also paid palakhi or doli for physically handicapped and olders who can not climb.   By road from Mumbai to Sajjangad distance is 273 km.