# Ganapatrao Maharaj Kannur

   Love everyone & Live in Happiness.
Shri Samartha Sadaguru Ganapatrao Maharaj Kannur (1909–2004) was an Indian guru in the Inchegeri Sampradaya.

## Biography
### Early years

Kannur was born on 18 September 1909 on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi), in a Deshastha Brahmin family of Smt Saraswatibai & Shrimant Shivrampant Kannur, in the small village Kannur, located in the Bijapur district of Karnataka, India.
He had his primary and high-school education in Bijapur. He graduated in 1932, earning a B.Sc. (mathematics and physics) degree from Fergusson College, Pune.

### Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj

Since his early childhood days, Kannur had a great inclination towards spirituality. At the age of 13 he was blessed and initiated by Sri S.S. Siddharameshwar Maharaj, who also accepted him as his disciple and guided him to the path of self attainment.
Maharaj had given stringent directives to few of his selfless disciples: to wear ochre robes, to be devoted towards sadhana and make it the sole objective of life, not to touch money, and live with only bare minimum necessities. The disciples chose the bank of river Krishna at Audumbar and carried out tapas (penance) for a year, strictly as instructed.

### Further study

Even being a graduate he decided not to take any service or job and wowed for the bow of celibacy throughout his life as not to get entangled in materialistic life. Maharaj died in 1936. After his death, Shri Ganapatrao Maharaj became firmly rooted in his doctrines, and studied the Shrimad Dasbodh, Bhagavata, Bhagavad-Gita Upanishads and other holy texts to attain the highest goal of his life - self liberation and self attainment.

### Teaching others

He carried on the mantle passed to him by his Sadguru, and strived for the uplifting of common people for 60 years. To carry forward his spiritual work he founded the Shanti Kuteer Ashram. At the age of 95, on Monday 20 September 2004, he died in Kannur House, Bijapur.

## Shanti Kuteer Ashram

Shanti Kuteer is a hermitage founded by Maharaj. It is located near the village of Kannur, 25 km from Bijapur. This ashram was set up in 1951 and has gradually grown to consist of over 100 rooms for accommodation of the disciples. A temple of Lord Shree Dattatreya is located on the premises.

## Events and saptah

Various saptahs (spiritual fests) are held at Shanti Kuteer Kannur in a calendar year.
* Chaitra Saptah (from Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada - Gudi padwa to Ramnavami) was started in 1974 and is for nine days.
* Shravan - Ganesh Chaturthi Saptah (celebrated from Shravan Vadya Trayodashi to Ganesh Chaturthi) is celebrated at Shanti Kuteer for the past 34 years.
* Datta Jayanti (from Margashirshya Shuddha Trayodashi till Datta Jayanti) was started after the Shri Dattatraya temple was constructed at Shanti Kuteer in 1984 and is for three days.

## Sampradaja

vteInchegeri Sampradaya :
Rishi Dattatreya
Navnath, the nine founders of the Nath Sampradaya,
Gahininath, the 5th Navnath
Revananath, the 7th or 8th Navnath, also known as Kada Siddha
Siddhagiri Math c.q. Kaneri Math (est. 7th or 14th century; Lingayat Parampara c.q. Kaadasiddheshwar Parampara
Nivruttinath, Dnyaneshwar's brother
Dnyaneshwar (1275–1296) also known as Sant Jñāneshwar or Jñanadeva and as Kadasiddha or Kad-Siddheshwar Maharaj
Different accounts:
Kadasiddha, also called "Almighty "Kadsiddeshwar", who appeared as a vision to Sri Gurulingajangam Maharaj
or
The 22nd or 24th Shri Samarth Muppin Kaadsiddheswar Maharaj, who initiated Sri Gurulingajangam Maharaj
or
"The 25th generation of the kadsiddha at siddhagiri had then initiated Guruling jangam maharaj of nimbargi."
or
"Juangam Maharaj" c.q. "a yogi [at Siddhagiri] who gave [Nimabargi Maharaj] a mantra and told him to meditate regularly on it"
1
Nimbargi Maharaj (1789–1875) also known as Guru Lingam-Jangam Maharaj
23rd Shri Samarth Muppin Kaadsiddheswar Maharaj
2
Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj Umdikar (1843 Umdi – 1914 Inchgiri)
24th Shri Samarth Muppin Kaadsiddheswar Maharaj
3
Shri Amburao Maharaj of Jigjivani
(1857 Jigajevani – 1933 Inchgiri)
Shivalingavva Akka (1867–1930)
Girimalleshwar Maharaj
Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj (1875–1936)
25th Shri Samarth Muppin Kaadsiddheswar Maharaj
4
Shri Gurudev Ranade of Nimbal (1886–1957)
Balkrishna Maharaj
Shri Aujekar Laxman Maharaj
Madhavananda Prabhuji (d. 25th May, 1980)
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897–1981)
Sri Ranjit Maharaj (1913–2000)
Sri Ganapatrao Maharaj Kannur (1909–2004)
Shri Vilasanand Maharaj (1909–1993)
Shri Ranachhodray Maharaj, Baitkhol Karwar
26th Shri Muppin Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj (1905–2001)
Student of Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj
5
Shri Gurudev Chandra Bhanu Pathak
Bhausaheb Maharaj (Nandeshwar)
Shri Nagnath Alli Maharaj
Maurice Frydman
Ramesh Balsekar
Gautam Sachdeva
Ramakant Maharaj
Alexander Smit
Douwe Tiemersma
Robert Powell
Timothy Conway
Jean Dunn
Mark McCloskey
"Sailor" Bob Adamson
Stephen Wolinksky
Mark West
David Hargrove
27th head: Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji
Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Shree Swami Narendracharyaji Maharaj
Notes for table
Notes
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Boucher
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Dnyaneshwar
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Boucher
↑ Kada Siddha (website Ranade Maharaj
↑ Kada Siddha (website Ranade Maharaj)
↑ Siddhagiri Math
↑ Siddhagiri Math (website Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, Kaneri)
↑ Siddhagiri Math (Gramjivan Museum)
↑ Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj (website Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj)
↑ Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj Parampara
↑ Dnyaneshwar
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Boucher
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Ranjit Maharaj Timeline
↑ Ranjit Maharaj Timeline
↑ Siddhagiri Math (website siddhagirimath.org)
↑ Siddhagiri Math (website siddhagirimath.org)
↑ Kada Siddha (website Balkrushna Maharaj)
↑ Boucher
↑ Boucher
↑ Nimbargi Maharj (website Ranade Maharaj
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Boucher
↑ Bhausaheb Maharaj (website Ganapatrao Maharj)
↑ Bhausaheb Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj)
↑ Amburao Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj)
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Shivalingavva Akka (website Ranade Maharaj)
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Girimalleshwar Maharaj (website Balkrushnamauli Maharaj)
↑ Boucher
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Amburao Maharaj Maharj (website Ranade Maharaj)
↑ Ranade Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj)
↑ Boucher
↑ Frydman 1987
↑ Ranade Maharj (website Bridge-India)
↑ Balkrishna Maharaj (website Balkrishna Maharaj)
↑ Nagnath Alli Maharaj (website)
↑ Madhavananda Prabhuji (website gurusfeet.com)
↑ Boucher
↑ Boucher
↑ Ranjit Maharaj (website Ranjit Maharaj)
↑ Ranjit Maharaj Interview
↑ Ranjit Maharaj Satsang
↑ Bhausaheb Maharaj (website Ganapatrao Maharaj)
↑ Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj (website Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj)
↑ Ranjit Maharaj (website Angelfire)
↑ Bhausaheb Maharaj (Nandeshwar) (website Balkrishna Maharaj)
↑ Nagnath Alli Maharaj (website Nagnath Alli Maharaj)
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Gautam Sachdeva
↑ Ramakant Maharj (website Ramakant Maharaj)
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Jean Dunn (website Ed Muzika)
↑ Jean Dunn (website Ngeton)
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Sailor Bob Adamson (website Sailor Bob Adamson)
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples
↑ Siddhagiri Math – History (website siddhagirimath.org
↑ Narendracharyaji Maharaj (website Narendracharyaji Maharaj)
Sources
Boucher, Cathy (2002), The Lineage of Nine Gurus. The Navnath Sampradaya and Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Frydman, Maurice (1987), Navanath Sampradaya. In: I Am That. Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Bombay: Chetana
Websites
Amburao Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj): Gurudev R.D. Ranade, Sadguru Shri Amburao Maharaj
Balkrishna Maharaj (website Balkrishna Maharaj): balkrushnamauli.com, Samarth Sadguru Balkrushna Maharaj
Bhausaheb Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj): Gurudev R.D. Ranade, Sadguru Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj Umdikar
Bhausaheb Maharaj (website Ganapatrao Maharaj): ShantiKuteer Ashram, Bhausaheb Maharaj
Bhausaheb Maharaj (Nandeshwar) (website Balkrishna Maharaj): balkrushnamauli.com, Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj (Nandeshwar)
Dnyaneshwar: V. V. Shirvaikar, A brief biography of saint Dnyaneshwar (Jnanadeva)
Gautam Sachdeva: gautamsachdeva.com, About Gautam Sachdeva
Girimalleshwar Maharaj (website Balkrushnamauli Maharaj): balkrushnamauli.com, Girimalleshwar Maharaj</ref>
Jean Dunn (website Ed Muzika): Jean Dunn and Nisargadatta Maharaj
Jean Dunn (website Ngeton): Ngeton, Navnath Masters
Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj (website Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj): Mazad Sad Guru, Biography
Kaadsiddheshwar Maharaj Parampara: mazasadguru.com, The Kaadsiddheshwar Parampara
Kada Siddha (website Ranade Maharaj): Gurudev R.D. Ranade, Kada Siddha
Kada Siddha (website Balkrushna Maharaj): Balkrushna Maharaj, Kadsiddheshwar Maharaj
Madhavananda Prabhuji (website gurusfeet.com)Gurus Feet, Madhavananda Prabhuji
Nagnath Alli Maharaj (website Nagnath Alli Maharaj): Shri S.S. Nagnath Alli Maharaj Sansthan, About us
Narendracharyaji Maharaj (website Narendracharyaji Maharaj): A brief biography of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Sri Swami Narendracharyaji Maharaj
Nimbargi Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj): Gurudev R.D. Ranade, Sadguru Shri Guruling Jangam Maharaj
Nisargadatta Maharaj Commemorations pt.1: David Godman, Remembering Nisargadatta Maharaj pt.1
Nisargadatta Maharaj Disciples: Advaita Vision, Navnath Sampradaya. Disciples of Nisargadatta Maharaj
Ramakant Maharaj (website Ramakant Maharaj): Shri Ramakant Maharaj, Information
Ranade Maharaj (website Ranade Maharaj): Gurudev R.D. Ranade, Shri Gurudev R. D. Ranade
Ranade Maharaj (website Bridge-India): Bridge-India, Shri Gurudev R.D. Ranade
Ranjit Maharaj (website Ranjit Maharaj): Sadguru.com, Shri Ranjit Maharaj
Ranjit Maharaj Timeline: Sadguru.com, Shri Ranjit Maharaj History
Ranjit Maharaj Interview: InnerQuest, Ranjit interview
Ranjit Maharaj Satsang: inner-quest.org, "Final Reality has no beginning and no end."
Ranjit Maharaj (website Angelfire): Sri Ranjit Maharaj profile
Sailor Bob Adamson (website Sailor Bob Adamson): Sailor Bob Adamson website
Shivalingavva Akka (website Ranade Maharaj): gurudevranade.com, Rv. Smt.Shri.Shivalingavva Akka
Siddhagiri Math: Detailed history of Shri Nisarghadatta Maharaj
Siddhagiri Math (website Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, Kaneri): Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, Kaneri
Siddhagiri Math (Gramjivan Museum): Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum Kaneri Math
Siddhagiri Math (website siddhagirimath.org): siddhagirimath.org, Siddhagiri Math – Pedigree
Siddhagiri Math – History (website siddhagirimath.org): siddhagirimath.org, Siddhagiri Math – History :

### Navnath

Maharaj traces his sampradaya to the Navanath Sampraday. It was started by Adiguru Shri Dattatreya, and was further carried by the Navanaths, the Holy Nine Gurus.
One of those Navnaths was Adiguru Sri Revanatah, who initiated Kaadasiddheshwar Swami Maharaj. Kaadasiddheshwar founded the Kaneri Ashram in the 13th century, which became a Dnyan Peeth. Many solace seekers were initiated for centuries.

### Nimbargi sampraday

In the mid-19th century, the then Shri Kaadasiddheshwar Swami Maharaj initiated Shri Gurulingajangam Maharaj, also known as "Nimbarji Maharaj". He founded the Nimbargi sampraday and initiated Shri Raghunathpriya Sadhu Maharaj.
Shri Raghunathpriya Sadhu Maharaj initiated Shri Samartha Sadaguru Bhausaheb Maharaj Deshpande, who was an ardent follower and a devoted disciple of Shri Gurulingajangam Maharaj.

### Inchegeri sampraday

Shri Bhausaheb Maharaj established the Inchegeri Sampradaya. He preached the principle of non-dualness, advait tatva, and used to give discourses on Srimad Dasbodh.
Sri Bhausaheb Maharaj had many followers, many of which further rose to the state of Gurupad, and practised and preached the Principles of Vedant and Advait throughout India.
Sri Siddharameshwar Maharaj was his disciple and ardent follower. Siddharameshwar professed the knowledge and basics of self-realization to the masses and became one of the most followed Guru of Inchegeri sampraday. Shri Maharaj was blessed and initiated by Siddharameshwar at the age of thirteen.

## Publications

Maharaji's words came from the depth of his own experience. The acceptance of one being supreme and being one with the universe was the core of his discourses. Maharaj was ever vigilant about the welfare of his disciples, specifically about their spiritual progress. Hence he wrote a number of texts on the different aspects of spirituality. He also founded the publication Adhyatma Bhandar and all the books are published by it. Amongst them are:
* Atmadnyanachi Gurukilli
* Srimad Dasbodh – Kannada translation
* Atmadnyanand Rasaduta / Atmadnyananachi Panchapakwanne
* Adhyatmada Anagayinelli / Adhyatmacha Deepstambha
* Anubhava Jnana
* Yashashvi Jeevan Darshan
* Sulabh Atmajnana (Easy steps to self-realisation).
* Shantikuteer Sandesh
Shantikuteer Sandesh is a quarterly periodical published by Shantikuteer Trust. The periodical is available in the Kannada and Marathi languages.