Shri Kshetra Apegaon – Birthplace of Dnyaneshwar

Dnyaneshwar was born at Apegaon in the eleventh century, on the midnight of Shravan Krishna Ashtami, Shaka 1197 (AD 1275). His father’s name is Vitthalpant Kulkarni. His mother was Rukminibai. Nivritti is the elder brother of Dnyaneshwar and Sopandev and Muktabai are the younger siblings. His siblings were born in 1195, 1199 and 1201 respectively. (According to some scholars, all these siblings were born in Alandi in 1190, 1193, 1196 and 1199 respectively.)
Sant Dnyaneshwar

Apegaon is a small village situated on the banks of river Godavari near Paithan in Aurangabad district. Dnyaneshwar’s father Vitthalpant was originally a dissolute ascetic. While married, he took Sannyas and went to Kashi. When the Guru learned that they were married, the Guru sent them back. Vitthalpant had four children after re-entering the household as per this orders. Their names were Shri. Nivritti, Shri. Gyandev, Shri. Sopan and Muktabai.

Vitthalpant went on a pilgrimage and settled in Alandi. At that time, the whole society ridiculed these four siblings as the children of Sannyasya. The village ostracized him and his family. As an abandoned Brahmin, he had to pass through hardships. The Brahmins of Alandi refused to worship Dnyaneshwar and his siblings. Vitthalpant asked the theologians what was the solution. The Brahmins said that there is only corporal punishment for it. Vitthalpantani and Rukminibai took penance by committing suicide so that the children would not be deprived of rituals and for their future to be good.

Even after the death of parents, Dnyaneshwar and his siblings were harassed by the people. They were denied basic things like food and water. Later these siblings went to Paithan and there Dnyaneshwar proved his scholarship.

Sant Dnyaneshwar has composed words in very juicy language. He used to live by begging. The Brahmins of Paithan used to feel sad seeing the keen intellect and knowledge of the scriptures of these brothers and sisters begging for alms. He thought that “it is gross injustice to punish the children for the guilt of the parents.” Finally, in the year AD.1288, the Brahmins of Paithan purified all the four brothers and sisters and reintegrated them into the society.

Bhavarthadipika alias Dnyaneshwari was a translation of the Bhagavad Gita and commentary work by Dnyaneshwar at Nevasa in Ahmednagar district.

Apegaon is a village on the Shahagad road eight kilometers from Paithan city. S. T bus, private transport services available.

Shri Kshetra Apegaon Temple, Paithan-Shahagad Road, Paithan
Godavari River