Ishwarpuri Ashram - Vasai's connection with Lord Krishna

Not many would be aware that history of Vasai or Bassein dates back to Treta Yuga, It is said that Lord Parshuram created the land from the sea right from Vasai to the coast of Kerala. He is said to have built Vimaleshwar Mahadev temple and Vimala Sarovar, He established 64 Yoginis in and around Vasai and since these Yoginis were followers of his mother Goddess Renuka, He also established 108 Teertha Kundas or Pushkarinis in Vasai. This is quoted in "Holy Edict Skanda Purana and Padma Purana". H.H.Shankaracharya of Puri Peetham (He was the 5th Shankaracharya) - Swami Vidyaranya arrived in Vasai and took Mahasamadhi at Nirmal Vimaleshwar Mandir in 404 BC. Emperor Jaluk who was son of Ashoka built a big samadhi mandir as per Orissa architecture. This temple was rebuilt by Chimaji Appa and is one of the most beautiful and serene places in Nirmal village.

It is also said that 7th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peetham named Swami Padmanabha Tirtha to have arrived in Vasai and stayed here, He also took Mahasamadhi on a hillock near Nirmal. Later during the rule of Satavahan Kings, 38th Shankaracharya Swami Shivanand Saraswati of Puri Govardhan had visited the place. Even in 13th and 15th century other Shankaracharya's is said to have visited Bassein region. 

Vasai has been a holy teerth in ancient times, There is another important religious spot just below the hills of Tungareshwar in Vasai east, Here lies an ashram and an old Shiva temple known as "Ishwarpuri". It is said that this is resting place of Rishi Sandipani. He is also said to have taken a samadhi here. Rishi Sandipani was Guru of Lord Krishna, his brother Balram and his friend Sudama. Lord Krishna and Balrama used to come in this forest of Tungareshwar to collect woods and hence this place is considered to be Holy. 

How to reach: Ishwarpuri is a small village located at one km from village of Chandip on Shirshad - Vajreshwari road. Two white pillars adorn the entrance to Ishwarpuri. From the main road, the temple and the ashram is located 2 kms inside, in the forest of Tungareshwar.


From the main road entrance follow the road which goes past few village houses and a Jain temple in half built, half abandoned condition till you reach a bridge over a dried stream and a temple close by. Walk past the temple till you reach a four direction road junction, take a road to the east or right and follow till you reach yet another diversion, Then take a road on right side and walk till you reach a spot of dried stream. From here the ashram is just a furlong away. 






The ashram and the temple is located in a very serene and peaceful environment. At the entrance, there is a Hanuman shrine as well as a samadhi temple. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Behind the main temple, there is another temple dedicated to Saibaba and yet another Shiva temple. At the foothills of huge rock lies an old temple which is said to be the samadhi temple dedicated to Guru Sandipani. Outside the samadhi temple lies a natural spring with continuously flowing water.







The caretaker informed me that Swami Nithyananda whose samadhi is located few kms from here at Ganeshpuri initially used to stay here. He then moved to Ganeshpuri while his disciple lady fondly known as "Ma" continued to stay at this place. The temple and ashram is frequented by locals on Thursdays else there is very few people visiting the place. 









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