Pant Balekundri Temple – A Sacred Spiritual Heritage

Location & Significance

Situated on the outskirts of Belagavi, in the village of Balekundri (now known as Pant Balekundri), this temple stands as a testament to the life and teachings of Pant Maharaj, a revered Hindu saint born in 1855.

Temple Highlights

• Sacred wooden padukas (shoes) worn by Pant Maharaj
• Historic Indian fig tree marking his cremation site
• Eternal flame preserved from his funeral pyre
• Ancestral connections to the region

Annual Celebration

A grand three-day commemoration takes place every October:

• Day 1: Holy flag procession covering 15km from Belagavi to Balekundri
• Day 2: Palanquin procession from ancestral home to temple
• Day 3: Community prasāda distribution, embracing social equality

Historical Significance

• Home to Pant Maharaj, a Deshastha Brahmin saint
• Notable meeting place with Swami Vivekananda in 1892
• Center of Dattatreya philosophy and Avadhut sampradaya
• Symbol of spiritual enlightenment and social reform

Visitor Information

• Open to devotees throughout the year
• Major gatherings during October celebrations
• Attracts pilgrims from Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa
• Promotes message of social equality and spiritual unity