Muktaai Temple, Muktaainagar

Saint Muktabai was born in the village of Apegaon, Maharashtra, in 1279 CE. She was a prominent saint and poetess of Maharashtra, known for her deep spiritual wisdom. She is also referred to as Muktaai. Her elder brothers were Sant Nivrittnath, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and Sant Sopandev.

Muktabai composed a total of 42 Abhangas, which are highly regarded. In these Abhangas, she pleads with her brother, Saint Dnyaneshwar, who is sitting behind a closed door, to open the door and let her meet him. These compositions reflect her deep emotional connection with her brothers, especially Dnyaneshwar.

Despite being a child, her extraordinary wisdom humbled even the proud Yogi Changdev, who accepted her as his guru. Muktabai is also believed to have written a spiritual text called Jnanbodha (Knowledge of the Self), which is a dialogue between Sant Nivrittnath and Sant Muktabai. This writing is believed to have occurred just before her passing, based on internal references in the text.

Muktabai was the youngest among the four siblings: Nivritti, Dnyaneshwar, Sopandev, and herself. In her early years, the siblings faced great adversity, including being abandoned by their own community. Despite this, they devoted themselves to the uninterrupted worship of Brahma, and Muktabai took on the responsibility of her family’s well-being after the death of her parents.

Her life was filled with spiritual growth and maturity, which came early in her life due to the hardships she experienced. She viewed worldly pleasures and suffering with detachment, focusing instead on spiritual matters. Muktabai’s teachings and songs highlight her mastery of both spiritual knowledge and emotional depth. Her humility and wisdom earned her the recognition of contemporaneous saints, who revered her spiritual authority.

Muktabai also faced challenges from other saints, such as the well-known episode with Sant Namdev. When Namdev did not acknowledge the greetings of Dnyaneshwar’s siblings, Muktabai, recognizing his arrogance, chose not to bow to him. Instead, she addressed his pride in strong words, showcasing her deep insight into the nature of egos.

Among her 42 Abhangas, some are directed towards her disciple Changdev, and others are included in the Namdev Gatha. Her Abhangas reflect her devotion to the divine, her strong spiritual character, and her influence as a guide to others. They are infused with signs of yoga and spirituality, while also containing tenderness and emotional depth.

Muktabai’s place in Marathi Sant literature is unparalleled. She is revered as the embodiment of spiritual resilience and wisdom. Her life and work are a testament to the strength of faith, selflessness, and the deep spiritual insights she shared with the world.

Muktaainagar, located in the Jalgaon district of North Maharashtra, was formerly known as Mahatanagar over seven hundred years ago. During the Muslim rule, the town was renamed Adilabad after Adil Shah, and over time, this evolved into the current name, Adilabad.

It was in this very village, 718 years ago, that Saint Muktabai disappeared amidst a powerful thunderstorm. The place where lightning struck, marking the site of her disappearance, is now home to the grand temple and institution dedicated to her.

The historical name of Mahatanagar-Adilabad was officially renamed by the government as Shri Kshetra Muktaainagar, in line with tradition. The village is situated on important national highways: Asia Highway No. 46, Mumbai-Nagpur National Highway No. 6, and the Aurangabad-Idoor interstate highway. Muktaainagar is located at the vast confluence of the Tapi and Purna rivers, a picturesque area that is also home to the ancient temple where Yogi Changdev meditated for 1400 years.

The Shri Sant Muktabai Trust has provisions for lodging and meals. Every month, thousands of devotees visit the temple, especially during Vadi Ekadashi. The annual pilgrimage is held during the Magha Wari and Mahashivaratri, with a Palkhi procession in the Ashadhi month.

The temple at Kothli, within the Muktaainagar taluka, also attracts large numbers of pilgrims daily, especially on Mahashivaratri, when processions come from Vidarbha and Marathwada.

After Saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj took Sanjivani Samadhi at Alandi, Sopan kaka took his samadhi at Saswad. Later, various saints, along with devas, rishis, yakshas, kinnars, and gandharvas, made their way to Muktaainagar (formerly Mahatanagar). They stayed in the Kothli area for 15 days. It was during this time, at 1:15 PM on Vadi 10, that Muktabai achieved her Gupat (hidden, self-realized) state amidst a thunderstorm.

The site of Muktabai’s disappearance is now home to a grand temple, symbolizing the place of her samadhi and spiritual manifestation.

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