Shri Kanifnath Maharaj Temple at Madhi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the Nath Sampradaya in Maharashtra. It is dedicated to Sant Kanifnath Maharaj, one of the nine Nath saints (Navnath), and is deeply revered by devotees across the state.
The Kanifnath Temple, also known as the Sanjivan Samadhi of Kanifnath Kanhapa (Navanath), is located in Madhi village, near Pathardi in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India. It is situated on a hilltop, with the temple complex resembling a fort in its architecture. The temple is dedicated to Kanifnath, one of the nine Maha Yogis of the Shaivic Navnath Sampradaya and a prominent figure among the Mahasiddhas of the Vajrayana Tantrik traditions. He is believed to have lived in the 10th century and is recognized as a significant spiritual teacher and yogi.
The main shrine is housed in a closed room, and access is restricted to men only. Devotees must crawl through a small opening, approximately one foot in size, to enter the sanctum, symbolizing humility and reverence. The samadhi itself is a three-foot-tall, south-facing stone statue of Kanifnath, depicted in Nath tradition attire, adorned with a trishul, drum, and other symbolic items. The temple complex includes a Sabha Mandap, Dhyan Mandir, Nagarkhana, Baradari, and Gadi Ghar, all part of its distinctive architectural design.
The temple is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is accessible via a 46.5 km drive from Ahmednagar. The site is also notable for its historical inscriptions and the spiritual atmosphere, particularly during sunset when sunlight illuminates the temple beautifully. The temple is managed by the Shri Kanifnath Devasthan Trust Madhi, registered under the number E 89/1954.
A significant annual pilgrimage, the Kanifnath Yatra, is held at the Madhi shrine, attracting over 500,000 devotees, especially on Phalgun Krishna Paksha Panchami, the fifth day of the waning moon in the Phalgun month. The temple is also revered by various communities, including Dalits, who refer to it as the "Pandhri of Dalits" due to the participation of diverse castes in its construction and worship. The site is part of a larger spiritual landscape, with other Nath saints' samadhis located nearby on the Garbhagiri mountain.
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