Saint Narhari Sonar

Shri Sant Narahari Sonar was borne in Pandharpur in the year 1115 CE, on the thirteenth day of the Shukla Trayodashi of Shravan, under the Anuradha Nakshatra, on a Wednesday morning. During his naming ceremony, yogi Changdev Maharaj who was well known for being bestowed with a life span of 1400 years was present. The great yogi Changdev Maharaj bestowed upon him the name "Narahari." At the age of seven, he underwent the sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana), he was accepted as disciple by Maharaj Gahininath and received initiation into the Nath tradition, and the teachings of the Gayatri mantra. Between the ages of 18 and 20, he married to Gangabai, and began a happy and prosperous worldly life of his. Narahari Maharaj was a goldsmith by profession and was renowned in Pandharpur for his exquisite craftsmanship in jewelry. He had a good reputation in this profession. In Narahari's household, generation after generation, there was devotion and worship practiced for Lord Mahadev, and Narahari himself was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. Every morning, he would offer Bel leaves to the Shiva Linga and worship. The residents of Pandharpur were also aware of his devotion. According to the information provided by the author Dhundiraj Malu, Sant Narahari Sonar never looked at any other deity's face apart from Lord Shiva and Lord Vitthal. He believed that Shiva and Vitthal were the same and were inseparable. One incident made him a devout follower of Vitthal