Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj alias Shree Preetinand Swamikumar Maharaj was blessed by Akkalkot-Niwasi Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj. Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj gave him ‘Silver Padukas’, one ‘Wooden Dand’ (arm rest during meditation), one ‘Jholi’ (a beggars wallet to collect alms) and instructed him “For your maintenance collect alms on every Thursday. There would be no shortage for you at all“.
He came to Mumbai from Akkalkot to the Muth at Kandewadi, Mumbai and stayed with Shree Swamisut Maharaj. Shree Swamisut Maharaj instructed Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj to go to a place Markandi, Chiplun Taluka, District Ratnagiri, and worship the ‘Silver Padukas’ of Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj installed by Shree Brahmacharibua Maharaj.
Accordingly, Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj along with his wife came to the village Markandi (Chiplun Taluka), raised one hermitage and started staying there. On every Thursday he used to collect the alms and with available rice, the husband and wife used to pull on for a week. Gradually the saintliness of Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj spread in the village Markandi and the devotees started crowding the hermitage for his blessings. Later, on Shree Gopalbua Kelkar Maharaj raised one Muth (Temple-shrine) and installed the ‘Silver Padukas’ given by Shree Swami Samarth Maharaj.