Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Jetalpur

History

Sadguru Ramanand Swami, the founder of the Uddhav Sampraday (sect), established numerous temples with community kitchens (Annakshetra). One such Annakshetra existed in the Jetalpur Temple, where a devoted soul named Gangabaa served as its keeper. According to strict custom, Gangabaa would not eat until she had first fed any guests who arrived.

When Shri Hari Nilkanth appeared at Jetalpur in disguise as a wandering seeker, he ate from Gangabaa's kitchen. This act was significant because Gangabaa's practice was never to eat before serving guests. After Shri Hari became the spiritual leader of the Uddhav Sampraday, he returned to Jetalpur for the first time in his new role. Upon witnessing Sadguru Ramanand Swami serving Shri Swaminarayan in the divine realm (Akshardham), Shri Hari became certain of the omnipotence and totality of God. He then performed Gangabaa's liberation ceremony (Samadhi). Following this spiritual awakening, Gangabaa abandoned all her past spiritual practices and devoted herself entirely to serving Shri Hari with singular devotion. This remarkable dedication moved Shri Hari to personally praise Gangabaa's cooking.

English Year: 1826