Shri 5 Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Surat, Gujarat

"Mangalpuri mahima badi, Hai sab ka Gurudwar,
Chale jagavan saathko, Shri Prannath bhartar."

- (Bitak Punjabki by Shri Khanchandji)
Situated on the bank of the holy river Tapi, the so-called daughter of the Sun God of light, thoroughly engrossed in full essence of devotion like Lord Krishna and Radha of Vrindavan, and quite similar to the most religious and spiritual knowledge places of God Shiva's Kashi, is Surat.

Since ancient times, keeping the harmony of these two streams, Devotion and knowledge, Nishkalank Buddhavatar Mahamati Shri Prannathji established the religious throne - the religious traditional throne by the grace of which with a view to reach the salvation place - Paramdham, to awake the latent soul of Brahma Shristi - on the prestigious and pious land of Surat. Thus proclaimed the preaching of Sadguru Shri Devchandraji Maharaj's generation.

On Vikram Samvat 1729, in the month of Ashadha, 2nd day of the bright fortnight in auspicious Abhijit Muhurt, Shri Prannathji was officially postured to this religious throne by the entire Supreme being - the so-called Aksharatit almighty "Shri Raj - Lord Krishna" who really invested and convened thy power upon him and held his hands to be eligible for the same post. First amongst all, Maharani Baijuraj offered the prayer to Shri Prannathji by lighting the lamps and thereafter all the gathered Sundersath (devotees) - about 3700 - collectively offered their prayers by lighting the sacred lamps to Shri Prannathji and Maharani Baijuraj jointly. The divine words of the prayer being:

"Arati karu re Shri Jeevan Mehraj, Puran sukh kaj,
Akhand dhani Shri Raj, Shri Jiyavar ni arti…"

Thereafter, all the Sundesathji, in Surat, started to proclaim salutations such as Shri Anand Mangal Shri Dham Dhaniju ki jai, Shri Yugal Swaroop ki jai, Shri Baijuraj Maharaniju ki jai,, etc. all of which are still being recited during all auspicious occassions. Hence, the establishment of this religious preceptor's throne of all the Nijanand sect took place. Shri Prannath stayed there continuously for 17 months to perform the knowledge and eternal bliss regarding the books - Raas, Prakash, Shatritu, and Kalash. The religious discourses and preachings of which being the greatest auspicious work started for the first time in this sacred land of Surat. And that's why it is called the highest resort of salvation and declared as the place of pilgrimage popularly known as - Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Surat.

In Jamnagar, Sadguru Shri Devchandraji Maharaj said to Shriji (Prannathji):

"Yah vastu hukam ki, So hove ek hi thor,
Mohe uthay tum baitho, Par na hove kahu aur."

"to view with reverence the salvation place - Paramdham, is totally in the hands of the Supreme being - Hukum. That's possible at a single place only. If you desire to view Paramdham, you may depose me from this throne, you have to be sitting at this throne then only will you be able to view the same". Of course, unless and until you are not subrogated by your superior Dhani to sit on this throne, it is never possible for you to become Mahamati or Prannath.

"Hui pehchan piyun so, Tab kahiyo Mahamati naam,
Ab mein hui jaher, Dekhya vatan Shri Dham."

Hence, since his coronation as a preceptor on this religious throne at Surat, Prannath could perfectly know his superior Dhani, and he became Mahamati Prannath. He could now view Paramdham and he was known as Nishkalank Buddhavatar in the universe. At this particular Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Mahamati Prannath vowed like Bhishma that -

"Tab Shriji Sahibji ne kahya, Jo koi lula paangla sath,
Indravati na chhode tinko, Pahunchave pakad hath."

"Anybody amongst the Sundersath, either handicapped or disabled, the soul of Indravati will hold his hand to take him/her to the salvation place but will never abandom him/her. "

Hence, it is strongly believed that in this highest pilgrim place Surat, Mahamati Prannath and Maharani Baijuraj, by their post and power endowed upon them, still remain here and will remain here forever.

"Uttam puri Surat hai murat sab tirthan ki,
Naad vansh gadi par sohe nihkai hai.
Nitya hi viraje guru roop se Shri Prannath,
Jinake pad bandete darshan nijdham hai."

Thus this ancient, sacred and religious throne of Shri Maha Mangalpuri Dham, Surat was established by Shri Mahamati Prannath.

This is a place in Surat. It is here that Shri Prannathji was offered the sectarian leadership [Gadi] for the first time and was adorned by the name of Prannath. As this pious work was performed here in Surat, it has been named as Shri 5 Maha Mangalpuri Dham. Even today thousands of pilgrims visit this place in Saiyadpura. It is known as 'Mota Mandir'.

Gopipura:
It is at this place that the house of Navarang Swami [Mukunddasji] is situated. When he accepted the discipleship of Prannathji, he gave his body, mind, wealth and everything at the feet of his preceptor (Guru). A temple was constructed there and it is known today by the name of Shri Krishna Pranami Mandir Gopipura.

Temple of Bahucharaji:
Bahucharaji is the name of a Goddess. It is said that a saint from Navatanpuri Dham reached there with 'Shri Mukhvani' and gave discourses for a week. After it was over, the goddess Bahucharaji appeared before him and asked him to place 'Shai Mukhvani' in her temple. As that saint came from Navatanpuri, this temple is under the possession of Navatanpuri Dham. Here Pranamis and non-Pranamis both come to visit and to have their desires fulfilled.

Shri Shyamdas Maharajni Deri:
Shri Shyandasji Maharaj was a great ascetic in the tradition of sectation leadership of Mahamangalpuri Dham, Surat. He had asked to keep his 'Samadhi' near the temple after he left this abode but it was not done and his 'Samadhi' was kept far off near a river. During the British rule, engineers tried to construct a railway there but were not successful. Then they decided to dig up the place and found the blood of a living saint. They constructed a small temple there and decided to give forty four rupees for its maintenance.