Param Pujya Dadaji, alias DattaramMadhavraoGavand, was born in Mumbai on 4th Sept. 1917. The eldest child of his parents, he came to be called 'Dada' or elder brother. Born in a wealthy family, he had a happy childhood and grew to be an adventurous youth who led his cricket team, pursued hobbies such as photography, hunting etc. and enjoyed a life of comfort and prestige. However, at the age of 18, he suddenly found himself shouldering the responsibility of a big household, on account of his father's untimely demise. He ran the family business very successfully but became disillusioned with the binding effect of wealth, relationships, prestige and comfort. He saw the dehumanizing effect of commercial culture and also the limitation of tradition. He saw marriage as a glorified trap. Hence he did not marry and went off by himself, in search of the true significance of life. He was drawn to the teachings of J. Krishnamurti and even interacted with him personally. He also met Sri. Ramana Maharshi, another contemporary spiritual teacher. After some years of wandering and the facing of many challenges, Dadaji finally realised that the search was indeed totally within - a pilgrimage unto oneself. Hence at the age of 37, in the year 1955, he left his cozy home, withdrew to a little but atop Mount Sajjangad and spent 7 months in total solitude and intense, impersonal watchfulness. He had a deep spiritual experience there, a radical breakthrough of consciousness. He experienced an inner explosion that shattered the crystalised structure of his mind, bringing in its wake a surge of dynamic, other-dimensional energy and an

intuitive intelligence of another order. He was cleansed of all the stored up toxins of the past and a deep peace and joy pervaded his being.
The but on Mt. Sajjangad: a stay in solitude for 7 months He spent 19 more years in near solitude, widening and deepening his vision through meditation. Thereafter, an incredible series of events impelled him to take his message of attentive awareness to the world. He went on several lecture tours, including 14 trips to U.S.A. & Canada, sharing his insights with lay people as well as scientists, psychologists, researchers and artists. He also conducted meditation camps and urged seekers to walk alone, heeding their own inner promptings. Indeed, he looked upon himself as a facilitator rather than as a 'Guru' and did not form any sect. However, he wanted to spare seekers the hardships that he had to face during his sadhana. Hence, even at the age of ninety, he decided to create a small meditation centre with basic amenities, for earnest seekers to live in solitude and carry out their sadhana. He chose for this purpose, a spot in the spiritually vibrant area of Sajjangad where he had attained self-realisation. This scenic spot, blessed with pure mountain air, clean water, vast open spaces and quietude, is 7 kms from Sajjangad, a little ahead of Borne Village. After much pondering, Dadaji came up with a detailed proposal of Tapovan Ashram, got Shri. Kanjibhai Nirmal to draw the complete plan and gave his approval to the design that was prepared. Accordingly, first, a tiny cottage was built for Dadaji to live in. On 9th May 2010, Dadaji bid farewell to seekers in a poignant function at Thane. He shifted to Tapovan Ashram for good in the month of Oct. 2010. He remained there for over a year, till the very end. He left his body at the ripe age of 95, on 29th January 2012, after nearly 57 years of tireless and dedicated work, giving personal guidance to genuine seekers. After Dadaji's demise, the rest of the construction work of Tapovan Ashram was completed by March 2013. The Ashram was formally inaugurated by Honorable Shri. Ganeshji Naik (Guardian Minister, Thane) on 23rd April 2013.

Dadaji's Cottage Dadaji's personal belongings have been preserved in his cottage at Tapovan Ashram. The `Samadhr, a Meditation Hall, a library and a cottage for seekers are a part of this complex.