Gajanan Maharaj America Devotees Parivaar
First dedicated and Independent temple of Gajanan Maharaj outside India
501 (C)(3) A Non Profit Organization
Gajanan Maharaj Devotees Parivaar - Our Team
Founder
Seema Rishi Mudgal
Seema is a staunch devotee of Maharaj. She is a hand-picked devotee by Maharaj through a dream. She chose Maharaj's seva as full time seva and dedicated her entire time for this cause. GMADP is her vision and effort. By her effort, she could bring more than 2000 devotees under GMADP umbrella and impacted many lives.
Director
Arvind J. Dandekar
Shri Arvind Dandekar is President and CEO of Fastek International Ltd. (Fastek), a software and test equipment product company based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Arvind co-founded Fastek in 1997. Prior to founding Fastek, Arvind held several senior management positions at Rockwell International in engineering, marketing and business development. During his twenty-seven year career at Rockwell, Arvind was given assignments to develop new concepts, technologies, products and markets.
Arvind’s first contact with Shri Gajanan Maharaj was in 1954 when he went to Shegaon with his mother on a Thursday. Arvind’s mother was an ardent devotee of Shri Gajanan Maharaj. Dandekar family lived in Akola from 1954 – 1957. Arvind’s mother went to Shegaon from Akola on as many Thursdays as she could manage. When Gajanan Vijay Granth became available, Arvind’s mother was reading one chapter of the Gajanan Vijay Granth every day. After Arvind’s mother passed away, Arvind and his wife Swati Dandekar have continued the tradition of reading one chapter on the Gajanan Vijay Granth every day and of fasting on every Thursday.
Director
Rishi Mudgal
Shri Rishi Mudgal is an IT professional working with Deloitte as a Manager. Rishi’s first contact with Shri Gajanan Maharaj was in 1981 when he visited Shegaon along with his two friends during the summer time. But he fully devoted to him later in 1999 after his marriage with Seema, she was attracted by Shri Gajanan Maharaj through a dream in 1995. Rishi & Seema came to the USA in 2007 with dream and vision to bring Shri Gajanan Maharaj (Shegaon) devotees together, create a "Gajanan" community” and pass our spiritual legacy to the next generation (born and grown up outside India).
Their efforts turned into a global mission with the name as “Gajanan Maharaj America Devotees Parivar”. They were also instrumental in establishing first-ever Temple of Shri Gajanan Maharaj in Atlanta at the beginning of the year 2016, and after that worked with devotees to established few more temples in the USA (Dallas, Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles,Chicago, New Jersey)
Their tireless effort bore the fruit and now entire Gajanan Community is connected with each other’s and celebrating HIS pragat utasav at 10-12 different locations as a BIG memorable event. They have established a uniform meditation process (Naam Japa) that has been adopted across the United States as well as the UK. In their guidance and initiative, many Gajanan Maharaj Parivar started at various location (Chapters) and some of them separated out from the one Umbrella due to the difference in principles.
Executive Members
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Meet our dedicated executive members who selflessly serve the temple and community, embodying the principles of devotion, service, and humility. With a steadfast commitment to preserving our Hindu traditions, they oversee temple activities, festivals, and community initiatives, ensuring a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for all devotees. Their efforts reflect the divine values of unity, compassion, and dharma.
Anita Pandit
(New Jersey)
Anita Pandit is an entrepreneur and owner of "GMS Distributors LPC" - Importer of Indian food and brand in USA. Ready to do anything for Maharaj, always takes out Time from her 24X7 busy schedule and offer Seva.
​Pallavi Thatte
(Dallas TX)
A home Maker lives in Mckinney, TX is an ardent devotee of Gajanan Maharaj. Born and brought up in Nagpur, Maharashtra. She started her pothi in middle school and since then regularly offering one chapter per day. Mother of two young sons, she always finds time for Maharaj Seva.
Ishwar Patil (Houston TX)
Global Social Work Coordinator
Since his teen age, Ishwar is devoted to Maharaj. "Maharaj ke liye Kuchch bhi karega" is his attitude. A mechanical engineer and true devotee. ​ Entire family (Wife and two kids) are dedicated to Maharaj.
Sangeeta Chaudhary
(Los Angeles CA)
A pioneer member of GMADP. Many first are in her credit e.g. first Meditation session (Naam Japa), First Palakhi, First booklet and many more. She connected with Maharaj in 2007 (first time) and now her whole family (including in-laws, siblings) become devotees of Maharaj. A true representative of Maharaj.
Sanjay Patil
(Los Angeles CA)
Sanjay Ji is from Buldana (Maharashtra) - near to Shegaon. Currently lives in Corona , CA. Work as Director of Rehabilitation in nearby hospital. A dedicated devotee with a legacy of devotion of Gajanan Maharaj
Praveen Shankar
(Los Angeles CA)
Praveen is from Bihar, and instrumental in two times establishing meditation groups in Los Angeles. His two daughters are offering Seva to Maharaj regularly and always ready to participate in any event related with Maharaj.
​Dr Sanjay Deshmukh
(Los Angeles CA)
A Medical professional and an ardent devotee. He was first expose to Gajanan Maharaj through his parents and has continued to stay involved because he values spirituality and staying connected to his roots. He has been involved with Gajanan Maharaj since his childhood and an instrument in success of GMADP California Chapter.
Ojasweeni Jog
(Philadelphia PA)
Ojasweeni is Shri Gajanan Maharaj Devotees since her childhood and pioneer to established the Philly pariwar. She is a social worker and where ever go for Social work in any community, always carries Maharaj with her.
​Steve Vibhute
(Philadelphia PA)
Steve Vibhute is an unique devotee of Maharaj. He carries Maharaj in his thoughts and actions. He is a technology leader and believes in improving the lives of all living things with the help of technology.
Annirudha Potnis
(Philadelphia PA)
Aniruddha Potnis has been an ardent devotee of Shri Gajanan Maharaj since childhood. Growing up in Mumbai, his parents took him and his sister to seek Maharaj’s blessings every year when Maharaj’s Palkhi arrived at Vile Parle, Mumbai. Several experiences over the years cemented Potnis family’s deep faith in Maharaj. Aniruddha works as the Head of Global Marketing Research at a biotech company in Philadelphia.
Adwait Palsule
(Philadelphia PA)
Gajanan Maharaj Seva and Bhakti is the family tradition of Adwait Pulsule. Growing up in Thane attracted him toward the famous Thane Gajanan Maharaj temple. His devotion towards Maharaj is so strong that it pulled his family (Spouse and kids) towards Maharaj. The entire family is an integral part of Philly Gajanan Maharaj initiative. Adwait works as Business Unit Manager at Panacea Technologies
Yashashri Mohile
(Austin TX)
Dental Director at CHCSCT and works as Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry​. Her devotion to Shri Maharaj is unparalleled. She has travelled to Atlanta from Austin for Murti Sthapana and instrument to start the Austin Chapter.
Gayatri Agarakar:
(Vancouver, BC Canada)
Gayatri is an ardent devotee of Shri Gajanan Maharaj. Her dedication to Maharaj brought the first ever place of Maharaj in Vancouver, BC (Canada). She was instrumental to establish Gajanan Majaraj Sthan in Seattle (WA), and her move to Canada brought the sthan in Canada. A very good communicator and multi talented personality is able to go along with devotees.
Shri Shravan Pande
(India Offshore)
A Scholar and awesome devotee of Maharaj. Born and brought up in Shegaon , Shravan Ji takes care of all meditation process, Bhartiya Tithi, Major festivals timing and daily sharing of beautiful flyers. All offshore help and guidance comes from Shravan Ji.
Shri Ishwar Laddha
(India Offshore)
Ishwar Laddha Ji is an ardent devotee of Shri Gajanan Maharaj and a successful industrialist in Pune. He visits Shegaon every month (Varikari). He is always looking for an opportunity to serve HIM. A great support for GMADP from India.