Parampujya Sadguru Shree Chaitanyaswaroop alias Teertharoop Anna’s Sadguru Ravsaheb Sahasrabudhe had told Teertharoop Anna in 1956 “You should go to Konkan and convert it to England”. Sadguru Teertharoop, Anna understood the hidden meaning in this and selected Konkan like village of population 22,000 Dombivali as his place of work (Karmabhoomi). Construction of Shree Swami Samarth Math was Guruseva of Sadguru Teertharoop Anna who had attained Paramhansa state and Sadguru Teertharoop Aai. This was also a promise made by them to their Sadguru. Sadguru’s tireless efforts led to getting the plot in Nandivali in 1995 and the actual construction of math started in March 1997.
Though the actual work started as above, the Architectural plan of this planned Math was described by Swami Samarth to Parampujya Teertharoop Anna about 25 years before in 1974. Picture of this plan was sketched on paper by Teertharoop Anna. Later, when many engineers and architects saw this plan, they were shocked to see the architectural details and notes covered
Another special incident is that about 20 years earlier, in February 1978, Sadguru Teertharoop Anna had told that between 1999-2000, Math will come up in the outer parts of Dombivali. Later, this forecast became a reality
On December 3, 1999 Kalashpujan and installation ritual (vidhi) was performed by Karveer peeth Jagatguru Shankaracharya. Sadguru had created a building to help Upasaks in various stages with things required for Upasana (spiritual practice). This was the moment of fulfilment of promise made by Teertharoop Anna.On this day, he spoke about the importance of Upasana with feelings of a caring mother. ‘You should make full use of the Math and reach the sacred place at Sadguru’s feet in each birth’. Thus speaking, he handed over responsibility of Math to his children and upasaks. This ceremony was a pinnacle of Teertharoop Anna’s upasana. Through this we get to see a Karmayogi who was free after doing all the work, and remained there only for namesake
This is the Nandivali math building (Vastu) which beautifully embodies the three main objectives- spiritual, cultural and social work. Due to citizens’ love for Shree Swami Samarth, this area is called as “Samarth Nagar”. This Mathvastu is pride of Dombivali city. Visitors to the Math can feel the deep quietness and their minds also become quiet. This is a place where Rishis, Saints have performed penance many years ago, even today vibrations of powerful mantra resonate here
In the central part (gabhara) of the main hall, idol of Shree Swami Samarth is seated on silver throne (sinhasan) (originally teakwood). When seeing this idol from anywhere, you feel that Maharaj is looking at you with assuring words “Don’t be afraid, I am behind you”. On the upper wall of the gabhara , we can get beautiful darshan of the four deities (devis) of Shaktipeeth (three and a half shaktipeeth). On the platform in the gabhara are placed many other things including Umbrella (Sinhasan chatri), continuously burning Nandadeep, Maharaj’s favourite gudgudi, Saffron flag (Dhwaj), Water jug- glass (Tambya- bhande) and Silver paduka.
We can see image of Shree Chaitanyaswaroop Sadguru Anna in standing pose and paduka to the left of gabhara. On the right side is the Recognition letter received by Teertharoop Anna and collection of things that he used.
To the left of the gabhara is located the reference library (granthalay) which holds large number of books. The collection has more than 1,800 priceless, rare books. This includes reference books on various subjects such as Universe, Culture Encyclopedias, four Vedas, Astronomy, Astrology, Dnyaneshwari, Thesaurus, Homeopathy. These are helpful for scholars who need these references in their doctoral studies. This granthalay embodies kalash (pinnacle) of the Temple of knowledge that the Math is. To the right side of gabhara is the storage (kothighar).
Sanjeevani Sabhagraha: Sanjeevani sabhagruha (main hall) is a place which brings quietness and satisfaction to the visitors (bhakts). This hall provides stage for various artists for performing and offering seva to Shree Swami Maharaj. Extracts from spiritual books are available for reading on the walls of this hall. There’s a board near the entrance where biographies of saints are written sequentially in very neat handwriting.
As you look up from the hall, you can see beautiful Ashtavinayak idols, who control the eight siddhis (ashtasiddhi). Sanjeevani sabhagruh has glass ceiling for skylight. This ceiling has twelve sun signs etched in glass. Parampujya Sadguru Anna used to tell Sadhaks “You should watch the sky at least once every day”. We are reminded of this by the skylight arrangement along with the panchang and the board showing position of planets
Around the math are many plants with flowers. Because of these, the math looks very pleasant and beautiful. Further, we find Maharaj’s favourite devotee in the form of Malang tortoise below the Umbar tree. As we go ahead, we get to see fully grown Bel tree and Mahadev Pindi ! Parampujya Teertharoop Anna had told Parampuhya Sadguru Aai that his eternal existence is below the Bel tree. This is the location which is Sadguru’s favourite place of resting
Further, at a short distance is Shree Ganesh sthapana. Further ahead, there is Banyan tree which had Moujibandhan (thread ceremony) done by Sadguru. In front of the Banyan tree is the Kalbhairava temple which guards the devotees. Besides this, there is Nirmala Annapurna Kuti which is the place where mahaprasad is cooked for Jayanti Utsav and Gurupurnima. Tulsi Vrindavan which represents holiness is also there. Considering the issues of water supply in Dombivali, math is provided with a borewell. Sadguru Teertharoop Anna named the borewell as Sadguru’s Charanteerth.
On the terrace of second floor, Saibaba had given darshan to Teertharoop Anna. At this place, there’s a temple of Saibaba (this location is midpoint of Mumbra Devi and Malanggad). When we take darshan, all these three appear to be in a straight line. In the front is the Saffron flag that keeps fluttering continuously. Solar cells are installed to produce power from solar energy. Electrical equipment in the math make use of this solar power. When roaming in this magnificent math, we are impressed by the cleanliness. Every nook and corner are kept very clean.
Downstairs from the Sanjeevani Sabhagruha is Dhyanmandir which gives quieteness to the mind. On the platform of this mandir is Shreeram Panchayatan. On Sadguru Teertharoop Aai’s birthday, Teertharoop Anna has kept the following things below the platform- Kalash containing water from 62 rivers, Shree Swami Samarth handwritten japa of more than 2 crores, Guruleelamrut pothi, Rudraksha Maal, one paat, saffron flag, Bel leaves made of silver & gold etc. While keeping these things, Teertharoop Anna was chanting mantras dictated by Shree Swami Samarth. Just below the platform, there’s a board that has list of all the things kept. To the left of the platform is board of Manaspuja and to the right that of Ramraksha.
In this Dhyanmandir, our mind can experience sublime quietness. Here, there is provision of asanas for seating 250 people. When entering the Dhyanmandir, we have to be in silence (moun). Though this looks like a simple rule, but when we sit down in silence, automatically our mind stops it’s activities. Today, life is full of reckless activities that lead to mental strains- to get relaxed and become quiet, we realise that silence (moun) is an effective remedy