The Akkalkot Swami Samrtha Maharaja’s Math now also known as Dadar Math was founded by Shri Sadguru Balkrishna Maharaj Suratkar on 29th May 1910. Balkrishna Maharaj was born in Surat on 28th October 1866.
He later came to Mumbai to his cousin Shivshankar for further studies to Mumbai, In Mumbai he was staying at Jambulwadi in Kalbadevi. He was highly influenced by the Arya Samaj teachings at which his cousin felt disturbed. His cousin was a devotee of Lord Shiva.
His neighbour Shri. Ramchandra Venkatesh Baradkar alias ‘Saraswat Bramhin Bhende’ was an ardent devotee of Shri ‘Tat Maharaj’ , Shivshankar requested him to change Balkrisha Maharaja’s thoughts and ideals.
Shri. Tat Maharaj gave Balkrishna Maharaj Darshan of the laughing form of “Ashtabhuja Devi” in Bhuleshwar’s Ashta Bhuja Devi temple. At that same instant Balkrishna Maharaj made Shri Tat Maharaj his ‘Guru’ and became an ardent devotee of Shree Swami Samrtha.
Balkrishna Maharaj had a very good knowledge and command of English and Sanskrit, he also took tuitions for Sanskrit in thr ‘Gokuldas Sanskrit Pathshala’ where he was also a teacher and he was known as ‘Master’ by everyone there.
