Thursday, 17 February 2022

VANKHANDI MAHARAJ OF BHIMTAL

Vankhandi Maharaj is evolved soul who is close to 161 years of age. He lives on the feature behind Sattal Lake called “Hidamba”. Sattal (Seven Lakes) and area around is famous birdwatcher’s paradise. Because of the ecosystem created by the green mountains, shrubs and the seven lakes, namely Ram Tal, Sita Tal, Laxman Tal, Purna Tal, Garud Tal (also called Panna Tal), Nal-Damayanti Tal and Sukha Tal (also called Khurdariya Tal) which are said to be interconnected, hundreds of varieties of birds inhibit the place in season. He planted about 2000 medicinal plants also in the forest. This is the place where Ghatotkach was born who changed the course of Mahabharata. Vankhandi Maharaj, a priest and preservationist lives on the slope now, and has made an asylum for the wild creatures around the slope. The region is known as Bankhandi Ashram.

Vankhandi Maharaj participated 12 Kumbha Melas which is organising in every 12 years. Last year when my sanyasi friend Swamy Dhyan Yogi met him, he said since I took bath for the last 12 Kumbha Melas, this year I am not participating Kumbha Mela. 

To reach here one has to come to Sattal which is around 5 kms from Bharat Mata Udyan and walk up to a steep climb of 3 kms which takes anything between 25 minutes to 1 hour depending upon the levels of fitness.

As the name goes, Vankhandi Maharaj is deeply connected with Flora and Fauna and has spent whole of his life doing things for the forest and animals. He is known to make the leopards sit by tapping on their heads.

On this Republic Day, 26 January, 2022 military officials came to the ashram to felicitated Vankhandi Maharaj and hoisted the National flag at ashram premises.

It is good to meet him, he greets you well, speaks very nicely and has profound knowledge and at the same time it is a good trek.

#vankhandi_maharaj #bankhandi

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