Significance of Temple
At the time when Shree Santram Maharaj took Samadhi, people saw a self-ignited flame which exists even today known as 'Akhand Jyot' (Eternal Light). The Darshan (seeing) and Poojan (worship) of the (a) Akhandjyot (Eternal Light) (b) Padooka (Wooden Steeper) of Shree Santram Maharaj and (c) Samadhi Place is of great significance for the devotee and the people of the surrounding region. It is believed that the monthly darshan and poojan on purniam day (Full moon day of every month according to Indian calender or on special day fulfills the wish of a person).
The temple is known for its following traditions.
| The temple is run by voluntary contribution of devotees (Ayachakvrat) without demand. |
| Anything which is received by the temple is considered the wealth of the God and used for public activities. Nothing is accumulated. |
| The Mahant Shree of Nadiad temple never leaves the temple (that is the samadhisthan). |
For example, the present Mahant Shree Narayandas Maharaj guides religious as well as social services activities of the temple with great devotion and dedication with regard to his basis of religion, soot or caste. Everyone is treated equally and the doors of the temple are open to all. Thus in this sense, it’s a truly secular place. People come here everyday from far and wide to blessed for warding off their pain, unhappiness, difficulties, sufferings etc.
Daily satsang: A gathering of devotees for worship is the most important religious activities of the temple. During such Satsangs the devotees collectively do puja (chant mantras) or recite Stotras from various scriptures or do Kirtan or listen to Katha or sing devotional God. Continuous participation in satsang is believed to purify the soul of a person gradually. Purity of soul purifies a person’s thoughts which, in turn inspires one to good deeds for any noble cause and serve the humanity. Thus a person is gradually prepared to receive the grace of Guru and God moves from the darkness to light from non-truth and from the cycle of birth-rebirth to eternal liberation from wordily miseries.
The following values are inculcated among the devotees of Shree Santram Maharaj:
| Service to others is the service to God. |
| To help sick, unhappy and grieved persons is a true religion. |
| An extended hand to help others is more worthy than folded hands for prayer. |
| A human value lies in work he gives and not in what he takes. |
| Failure does not give disappointment, but it gives inspiration. |
| A man without a goal is the poorest man. |
However, the unique feature of Shree Santram Temple is the valuable social services rendered voluntarily by its devotees, some of which are described below.