The history of Kutch Kadva Patidar caste is incomplete without the Dwara of Vandhay. The favors of this Dwara of Ishwar Ashram, Vandhay are so many on this caste that even if the caste wants, it can never repay its debt. In Vikram Samvat 1755 (1698 AD), Sant Vihari Maharaj came to Vandhay from Hamla and started with the Harihar tradition. After him, other saints came. To know about that, one should read the book Ishwar Vihari Vilas. It must be some divine coincidence and good deeds of previous births of the caste that our caste came in contact with this Gurudwara known as “Ishwar Ashram”.

We will start talking here from Sant Lalramji Maharaj. Since Sant Lalramji Maharaj’s body was of Patidar caste, he knew that Kutch Kadva Patidar caste has strayed from Sanatan Dharma and got trapped in Satpanth religion, considered a sect of Islam religion. He had immense grief about this. But since his tenure was short, he could not achieve any special achievement directly regarding this. In his last days, his chief disciple Sant Odhavram Maharaj promised his Guru to complete his unfinished work. Even though Sant Lalramji Maharaj did not get time to do more work for the caste, the speech that came out of his mouth while leaving had the speech of the Supreme Soul hidden in it. Detailed information on Sant Lalramji Maharaj will be found on page 141 of the book “History of Kadva Patidars of Kutch” published by Shri Akhil Bharatiya Kutch Kadva Patidar Samaj. 

To fulfill the promise given to his Guru, Sant Odhavram Maharaj dedicated his entire life for K.K.P. caste. Sant Odhavram Maharaj’s disciples came from many castes. There were many disciples from his Purvashram’s (pre-monastic life) Bhanushali caste also. But among all these, he has always given priority to K.K.P. caste. Perhaps putting other disciples aside, he kept K.K.P. caste ahead. Special exemptions were also given in rules and restrictions for them. Like there was a rule that boys studying in Vandhay should be unmarried, but this rule did not apply to boys of K.K.P. caste. For the upliftment of K.K.P. caste, even married boys could stay and study in Vandhay Pathshala/Hostel. Sant Odhavram Maharaj has served K.K.P. caste without worrying about allegations of discrimination against him. Indeed, every pore of every person of the caste is indebted to Sant Odhavram Maharaj.

About how Sant Odhavram Maharaj freed the caste from Satpanth and made successful homecoming to original Sanatan Dharma starts from point 150.4 mentioned in Part 1 of this book. In which giving Lord Laxminarayan as Ishtadev to the caste led to religious conversion of the caste into Sanatan Dharma, that is a special feature. Why only Lord Laxminarayan? A separate article regarding this is published in this book, reading which will give an idea of how visionary Sant Odhavram Maharaj was and saw in what lies the interest of the caste without looking at his own selfishness. Regarding all these matters, a good article in short on the life of Sant Odhavram Maharaj will be found on page 142 of “History of Kadva Patidars of Kutch”. Detailed information will be found in the book named “Sant Odhavdas”.

Sant Odhavram Maharaj also gave Kutchi Lalrameshwar Ashram in Haridwar and a room in Badrinath to the caste. For more information, please see point 152.3 of this book.

During the time of Sant Odhavram Maharaj and after him, his chief disciple Sant Dayalram Maharaj also served the caste by working very hard. Sant Dayalram Maharaj propagated Sanatan Dharma in every village of Kutch and every Kampa of Gujarat. Sant Dayalram Maharaj was with elder Ratanshi Khimji and his team step by step in the work of caste reform.

After that, the article named “Untold History of Vandhay Dwara” written by CA Patel Chandrakant Kantilal Chhabhaiya which is published in the issue of Nov-2021 month of Patidar Sandesh, Patidar Saurabh and Sanatan Dharma Patrika, and “Umiya Mataji Vandhay – Untold History Part – 2” which is published in the issue of Dec-2021 of Sanatan Dharma Patrika and also in the issue of Jan-2022 of Patidar Sandesh and Patidar Saurabh. Some things have been taken briefly from these two articles hereafter.

Meetings of Sanatani movement were held extensively in Kutch and Kampas of Gujarat for the propagation of Sanatan Dharma in K.K.P. caste. In such times of awakening, to embody the divine inspiration that occurred in the mind temple of Shri Haribhai Karamshibhai of Motisari Kampa, under the guidance of Sant Odhavram Maharaj, leaders of Shri Kutch Kadva Patidar Sanatani Samaj did Pran Pratishtha (consecration) of Panmurti (image) of Umiya Mataji on the auspicious day of Date 02‑Apr‑1944. The original report published regarding this has been published by Shri Kutch Kadva Patidar Sanatani Samaj, Head Office Nakhatrana. Which you can see on page 436 in the book named “Abhilekh 2023”.

This is the story before the establishment of Mataji’s temple. With the intention of freeing Kutch Kadva Patidar caste from religious decline, after freeing from Pirana Satpanth religion, to guide what rules Sanatanis should follow, Sant Odhavram Maharaj published some chapters like “Origin of Kadva Patidar Caste”, “Rules to be followed by Kadva Patidar brothers” and “Daily routine to be done by Kadva Patidar brothers” in pages 351 to 364 of the second edition of the book “Ishwar Vihari Vilas – Part 1 and 2” published in the year 1943.

When the temple was established in the year 1944, the form of the temple was of a small shrine. There was no permanent priest or any employee. This temple was erected inside Thakar Dwara/Uddhav Ashram. This was the time of the tenure of Sant Odhavram Maharaj and after him his successor Sant Dayaldasji Maharaj. We must accept the debt of tireless hard work done by Sant Dayaldasji to bring awareness towards the temple. In the history of the caste, Sant Dayaldasji is also such a historical Sanatani unspoken hero whose contribution we are not singing praises of as much as we should. The Gurudwara of Vandhay i.e. “Ishwar Ashram (Gurudwara) Vandhay (Trust Reg A-217 Kutch)” which administers by staying inside the Samadhi place of saints by the original saint tradition of Vandhay.

The temple of Umiya Mataji Vandhay which was erected, was erected inside the Dwara of which Sant Odhavram Maharaj was the Gadipati (head). That Dwara was separate from the current Ishwar Ramji Dwara. At that time the name of that Dwara was “Uddhav Ashram/Thakar Gurudwara”. This Ashram was in the Tapobhoomi (land of penance) of Sant Ishwarramji. The old temple of Umiya Mataji was built exactly above the cave/cellar where Sant Vihari Saheb sat and did penance. The original temple was built on such a spiritual and holy place. But in the year 2009 a Havan Kaksh (sacrificial hall) has been built on the place of the old temple and the temple has been moved to the open space in front. Detailed information about which is already given in Smruti Granth.

On Date 02-Apr-1944, first Pran Pratishtha of Panmurti (image/photo) of Mataji took place and after that, after three years, a permanent idol of Mataji was installed. At that time, that entire place belonged to Thakar Dwara and Thakar Dwara was functional there. Some Sadhus and Saints used to live there. Mainly, this was the seat of Sant Odhavram and Sant Dayalramji. Currently where Ishwar Ashram Gurudwara is running, there was the Samadhi of Ishwarramji and there Sant Odhavramji Maharaj had started a Gurukul on Vasant Panchami of Vikram Samvat 1993 (15-Feb-1937). Since the exploited, backward and poverty-stricken K.K.P. caste was very far behind in education, special concessions were given for boys of K.K.P. caste in this Gurukul, which were not for other castes. Except for this, there was nothing there.

As part of the first arrangement for the service of Mataji, for a long period of initial 20 years, the Gurudwara of Vandhay (mentioned above) served the temple of Mataji. Every morning and evening, a Sadhu was sent from the Gurudwara without fail and regularly. All services like lamp lighting, worship, etc. of Mataji’s temple were done. Even though awareness towards Mataji was increasing in K.K.P. caste, the caste could not be completely free from religious decline. At that time, due to lack of required awareness, hardly anyone came for Mataji’s Darshan. The income of the temple was negligible. K.K.P. caste is indebted to Ishwar Ashram (Gurudwara) for taking up the challenge to pass such a difficult time.

But Sant Odhavram Maharaj’s intention was that Kutch Kadva Patidar caste should be organized religiously at one place and remain independent regarding religion. For that, Sant Odhavram Maharaj had made a representation in the meeting of Central Samaj dated 05-Jul-1947 to completely hand over Vandhay temple to “Kutch Kadva Patidar Sanatani Samaj”. For more information regarding which, please see point 150.26 of this book.

In the last days of Odhavram Maharaj, it was Maharajshri’s wish that he wants to live near the Samadhi of Ishwarramji Maharaj. So a house was built there first for Odhavram Maharaj to live. Which is there even today. Devotees can see Odhavram Maharaj’s Dholiyo (bed) on the first floor of that same house.

Later when Sant Dayalramji Maharaj was made the Gadipati he developed the current Ishwar Ashram. After Odhavram Maharaj took Samadhi, Dayalramji Maharaj gradually developed Ishwar Ashram. And after that gradually arranged administrative systems also in Ishwar Ashram.

When Sant Shantiramji Maharaj came to the Gadi, he especially developed Ishwar Ashram. Sant Shantiramji Maharaj is originally from Kutch Kadva Patidar caste in his Purvashram. He belongs to the Chhabhaiya family of village Nani Aral. While doing development works of Ishwar Ashram, Shantiramji Maharaj independently “Krishnarpan” (dedicated to Krishna/donated) that Thakar Dwara Ashram which was bustling on Date 14-May-1964 to a committee of total 6 brothers comprising of leaders of Central Samaj and leaders of Sanatani K.K.P. caste. In simple language, he dedicated/donated the entire Ashram without keeping any financial expectation.

Even though this Thakar Dwara Ashram was dedicated to Sanatani K.K.P. caste, for one year a Sadhu was regularly sent from Ishwar Ashram to serve Mataji.

Sant Odhavram Maharaj’s internal wish fulfillment and Sant Shantiramji Maharaj’s feeling was that the tradition i.e. Harihar tradition to which he is a Sadhu, includes people of all 18 Varnas. But Umiya Mataji is the Kuldevi (family goddess) of Kadva Patidars. Odhavram Bapa’s intention behind the establishment of the temple was that the brothers of Kadva Patidar caste who left Satpanth religion remain bound by one thread, to realize that intention it was necessary that the administration of Mataji’s temple be done by brothers of Sanatani K.K.P. Samaj. Therefore, he completely dedicated/donated his own Thakar Dwara to the care of today’s leaders of Sanatani Central Society/Caste. Without taking any compensation.

After that around the year 1973, for the third time, a change was made in the arrangement. With the inspiration of Sant Valdasji, a new committee was formed so that Mataji’s temple becomes active, people coming for Darshan get adequate facilities, and other arrangements are created.

Leading brothers of Kutch Kadva Patidar Samaj living in Mumbai took up this challenge. And Pujya Valdasji Maharaj increased the enthusiasm of the workers immensely by agreeing to stay in Vandhay for two months in a year for this work. Originally from village Kotda (J) and resident of Thane, Shri Samji Jivraj Limbani himself lived in Vandhay for 6 months in a year and along with him other elders like Shri Dhanji Punja had taken up this work. The responsibilities taken up by other elders are;

1.     Manilal Valji (Patel & Co., Mumbai)

2.     Shri Shivgan Raja

1.     Shri Karsan Mulji

2.     Shri Premji Punja (Former President and Founder Joint Secretary of Central Samaj)

About 80 people became life members by paying Rs. 1,001/-. And specially, elder Shri Manji Valji Sankhla of Shankar Vijay Saw Mill, Mumbai, native village Ukheda had promised to give Rs. 10,000/-. Detailed information regarding this is found on page 11 of Jagruti monthly magazine of Mar-1973.

In the year 1977, again a change was made in the administrative arrangement of the temple. In the year 1977, with the inspiration of Sant Shri Valdasji Maharaj, a new trust was formed, “Shri Umadevi tatha Ishwar Ramji Annakshetra and Charitable Trust”, whose first President was Shri Premji Ramji, of Kalyanpar. In this trust also, veteran leaders of Central Samaj provided important services by remaining in positions like Trustee, Secretary, Executive Member etc. The list of office bearers of this trust starts from page 108 of Smrutigranth published in the year 2010. And the history regarding arrangement after that is also in it.

What to say about the debt of this Dwara. The campaign that ran against Satpanth religion under the guidance of this Dwara, even its followers today feel proud to call themselves Sanatan-Satpanthi rather than Satpanthi, its Sadhus also propagate this type of thing, it is the influence of Vandhay Dwara, it is its debt.

Every pore of K.K.P. caste is heavily indebted to the Dwara of Vandhay, which can never be repaid.

|| Harihar ||

|| Jai Laxminarayan ||      || Jai Umiya Ma ||    || Jai Sanatan ||