Sant Eknath Shashthi (Eknath Jal-samadhi)

Sant Eknath Maharaj of Paithan

Warkari / Varkari

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Eknath Shashthi — the day Sant Eknath Maharaj entered jal-samadhi in the Godavari at Paithan on Phalgun Krishna Shashthi (1599 CE), having lived to age 67 and composed the Eknathi Bhagavata, the Bhavartha Ramayana, and ~300 abhangas. Paithan, Pratishthan in the Puranas, becomes the centre of Warkari pilgrimage on this day with continuous gatha-parayan, Bharud-singing, and Bhagavata-katha.

Dates 2026–2027

March 9, 2026March 28, 2027

Mantra

एकनाथ महाराज की जय

Eknath Maharaj ki Jaya

Victory to Sant Eknath Maharaj — the saint who carried water for an outcaste, fed his ancestors before Brahmins, and showed Vitthal in every being.

How to recite

Sing Sant Eknath's gathas and his Eknathi Bhagavata (the 11th-skandha Marathi commentary). Read at least one chapter of the Bhavartha Ramayana (his Marathi Ramayana) aloud. Visit Paithan if possible — Eknath's samadhi is on the south bank of the Godavari. Sing the Bharud (Eknath's allegorical folk-songs) at the evening kirtan.

Benefits

Sant Eknath Maharaj entered jal-samadhi in the Godavari at Paithan on this day (Phalgun Krishna Shashthi, 1599 CE). Eknath was a grihastha-sant — householder, kshatriya by birth, brahmana by initiation under Janardanaswami — who showed that the Warkari path is open to every caste, every gender, every condition of life. His grace dissolves caste-pride and ritual-arrogance.

✦ Special Note

Eknath Maharaj is the bridge between Mauli (13th c.) and Tukoba (17th c.) — the great householder-sant who preserved the Warkari abhanga tradition through the Bahmani era. His Bharud are the only saint-songs in the Warkari corpus written in folk-allegory form. Per the Marathi Drik Panchang (Amanta system) — Phalgun Krishna Shashthi (Falgun Vad 6).

Foods Allowed

Eknath's beloved naivedya — puran poli with ghee, shrikhandPaithani satvik thali — varan-bhaat, pithla-bhakri, taakPohe with shengdana and coconutSabudana khichdi and vadaBhopla bharit and naralachi vadiModak — the Maharashtra Vaishnava mishtannaFresh fruits — orange, sitafal, ber (winter season)Milk, ghee, tulsi-charanamrita from the Godavari at PaithanSendha namak for fasting members

Foods to Avoid

Onion, garlic, brinjal — alwaysMeat, fish, eggs, alcoholFood not offered first to Vitthal-Eknath

Meal Idea

Pohe with shengdana for the morning naivedya; varan-bhaat with pithla-bhakri and taak for the satvik Paithani lunch; puran poli with shrikhand and ghee for the evening parana.

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