The Royal Granary (Bhandarkhana), the Ancient Well, and the Dattatreya Temple
To the right of the Old Royal Palace of Akkalkot once stood the vast Royal Granary (Bhandarkhana) maintained by the Bhosale rulers. Every Thursday, large quantities of food were prepared here and served as Prasad to the needy, ascetics, saints, fakirs, pilgrims, and visiting guests.
In those days, this place was regarded as the very abode of Goddess Annapurna, the Divine Mother of nourishment. The Bhosale royal family had established a noble tradition whereby any saint or mendicant who requested a particular food would have it lovingly prepared and served. Consequently, the royal granary remained open at all times to sadhus, saints, and travellers, embodying the timeless Indian ideal of Anna Dāna—the sacred offering of food.
The Dattatreya Temple
Within this complex stands a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, the revered deity of the royal family.
In front of the temple lies an ancient and remarkably deep stone well, which still survives today beneath the shade of a large tree.
The crystal-clear water drawn from this well was once used in preparing the meals served daily from the royal granary.
This humble well is also associated with one of the most remarkable episodes from the life of Shri Swami Samarth.
The Incident of Govinda
One afternoon, Shri Swami Samarth was resting on a cot near the granary. The attendants nearby had also fallen asleep.
At that moment, a mentally disturbed man named Govinda entered the premises carrying a long rope.
In a sudden and unexpected act, he tied one end of the rope tightly around his own neck and fastened the other end around the feet of Shri Swami Samarth. He then began dragging the Master across the ground.
Although the rope tightened dangerously around Govinda’s own neck, he appeared completely unaware of what he was doing.
Throughout this shocking incident, Shri Swami Samarth remained perfectly calm and undisturbed.
The Master’s Compassion
Soon, Sundarabai noticed what was happening and cried out for help.
Hearing her screams, nearby Gosavis and Bairagis rushed to the scene, overpowered Govinda, and freed Shri Swami Samarth.
The onlookers, angered by Govinda’s actions, began beating him.
Shri Swami Samarth immediately intervened and stopped them, saying:
“He is mentally disturbed. Forgive him.”
With these simple words, He not only protected Govinda from further harm but also demonstrated His boundless compassion toward those who suffer from conditions beyond their control.
Some time later, Govinda descended into the well opposite the Navasacha Maruti Temple to drink water. Tragically, he slipped, fell into the well, and lost his life.
The Sacred Dattatreya Temple
The Dattatreya Temple adjoining the granary continues to be a place of deep devotion.
Its serene white marble idol of Lord Dattatreya, depicted with three faces, is admired for its beauty, tranquillity, and spiritually uplifting presence.
Many devotees visiting Akkalkot make it a point to offer prayers at this temple.
According to local tradition, the revered ascetic Pujya Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Swami of Alandi also received the blessings of Shri Swami Samarth at this very place.
A Living Heritage of Service
The Royal Granary, the ancient well, and the Dattatreya Temple beside the Old Royal Palace are far more than surviving architectural remains.
Together, they preserve three enduring legacies of Akkalkot:
- the Bhosale rulers’ noble tradition of feeding all who came in need,
- the boundless compassion and divine grace of Shri Swami Samarth, and
- the living spiritual heritage of the Dattatreya tradition.
Today, these sacred sites continue to remind pilgrims that service to humanity, compassion toward all beings, and unwavering devotion are among the highest forms of worship. They stand as enduring symbols of Akkalkot’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy.