Saint Dayanand Maharaj of Shelgaon

Dayanand Maharaj was born in the village of Shelgaon, a pilgrimage site in the Aurangabad district. Yogiraj Dayanand Maharaj is a strictly ascetic Nathpanthi practitioner who carries on the Shabari Vidya of the Navnath in the Kali Yuga. He is renowned for alleviating the illnesses, afflictions, and worldly sufferings of many people. It is said that those who visit Shelgaon, the land of penance where the work of the Navnath continues, experience this firsthand. Due to the growing influx of devotees and the work of the Navnath, Shelgaon has gained recognition as a pilgrimage site. Maharaj has performed six yajnas to date, the most significant of which was the Rajasuya Yajna. During this yajna, food was provided to the public, and sacrificial offerings continued uninterrupted for 21 days. In this ceremony, he was weighed against Tulsi leaves, similar to the tradition of Lord Krishna. Witnessing this, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kashi remarked that he was no ordinary saint and bestowed upon him the title of "Yogiraj." Yogiraj Dayanand Maharaj subsequently conducted major yajnas in Kashi, Haridwar, and Mahurgad. In recognition of his work, he was honored with the title "Dharmacharya Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar" at the 2013 Kumbh Mela. Devotees visit Shelgaon, located 60 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, to visit the land of penance where the avataric work of the Navnath is carried out.