Situated near the holy abode of Goddess Chintpurni, about 62 kms. from Una, Dharamshala Mahanta is a “matha”(priory) established by a solitarian Baba Nakodar Dass during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Baba Nakodar Dass who was a ‘Panchdevaupaska’ gave the pride of place to the worship of lord Vishnu. Miss Mira Seth in her book “WALL PAINTINGS OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS” states “ ’Mahanta’ Lakshmi Dhar the father of the present mahanta who died few years back has a ‘sanad’(grant) which is believed to have been given to his predecessors by emperor Aurangzeb in the ninth year of his reign, corresponding to A.D. 1667 .” A large number of devotees visiting Goddess Chintpurni visit Dharamshala Mahanta to pay their obeisance.
A part from its historicity and religious importance Dharamshala Mahanta is known for its murals/wall paintings. There are two buildings of note. The style of paintings in one is entirely different from that of the other. The best and earliest paintings are found in what is known as the ‘baithak’ which happens to be the sitting room (6m X 4.75m) of one building. According to Mahanta Lakshami Dhar, the paintings were executed by a ‘mistri’(mason) in his grand father’s time, which would place them at about the end of the nineteenth century. Although most of the paintings have disintegrated but those which remain have a graceful charm of their own. The other building in the ‘matha’ is a small temple, the walls of which are also covered by wall paintings but having a clear impress of folk art on these paintings. But in comparison to the lyrically graceful wall paintings of the ‘baithak’ these murals are somewhat crude thus indicating that these are of a later origin.
An ardent art-lover or a chance visitor having aesthetic sense immediately seeing the wall paintings of Dharamshala Mahanta realizes that these murals which depict the rich cultural heritage of the past are loosing its luster and richness of colors as the ravages of time are taking its toll very rapidly and the time is not far away when these will become almost non-existent.
Shri Baba Nakodar Das Ji was born into a noble Brahmin family. This sacred site is located in Dharamshala Mahantan on Talwara Road, approximately 3.5 kilometers from Chintpurni. Today, this place is famously known as 'Shri Baba Nakodar Das Ji.
Following the salvation (Brahmleen) of Baba Nakodar Das Ji, his son, Baba Abhay Ram Ji, took over the responsibilities of the spiritual seat (Gaddi). Walking in the footsteps of Baba Nakodar Das Ji, he dedicated his entire life to the service of humanity.
Baba Abhayram Ji established profound human values during his lifetime and fully integrated the core principles of the Gaddi—the purity of religion and service to mankind—into his life. This sacred tradition was carried forward by Baba Hariram Ji, who remained devoted to serving the spiritual seat throughout his life.
Baba Harinarayan Ji also followed the fundamental principles of Baba Nakodar Das Ji and dedicated his life to the service of humanity. Whosoever approached him was enriched through his service and blessings; no one ever left his presence empty-handed.
Baba Jhunja Ram Ji was a man of a wandering nature. Wherever he was invited with respect, he would certainly visit. In a village called Vahlakhan, an elderly man held Baba Ji in high regard, often inviting him and insisting, "Whenever you pass this way, you must grace our home with your presence."
Baba Kaladhari Ji was a highly skilled and influential personality. When the responsibility of the Gaddi (spiritual seat) fell upon his shoulders, he entrusted the care of the sacred penance grounds to his wife, Thakuri Devi, and set out for religious propagation.
Baba Jhagram Ji established profound human values and fully integrated the core principles of the Gaddi—religious purity and service to humanity—into his life. He dedicated his entire lifetime to serving the spiritual seat in accordance with this tradition.
Baba Shraddharam Ji also established human values and embodied the principles of religious sanctity and selfless service. He spent his life devoted to the service of the Gaddi and its followers.
As the saying goes, "The leaves of a promising plant are smooth from the start"—meaning greatness shows early. Baba Shraddharam Ji’s son, Shri Thakur Das, was exceptionally brilliant from childhood. Scholars were invited to his home to provide him with an education in scriptures, ethics, Hindi, and Sanskrit; arrangements were also made for him to study Urdu. Within a few years, he began expressing profound views on complex subjects.
Baba Krishndev Ji established human values and spent his life dedicated to the sanctity of religion and the service of humanity, fully incorporating these core principles into his daily life and service to the Gaddi.
Baba Lakshmidhar Ji took charge of the Gaddi at the young age of thirteen. His father, Krishndev Ji, was himself a scholar of Hindi and Sanskrit. He had appointed learned teachers to the school and arranged for the lodging and meals of students who traveled from afar.
After the passing of his father, Baba Lakshmidhar Ji, Baba Shreeshchandra Ji completed his education (B.A. LL.B) and took over the responsibilities of the Gaddi in 1995. A man of simple personality, he dedicated his life to the values established by his ancestors and the all-round development of the spiritual seat.
Just as the revered Gurus of the past carried this sacred tradition forward through their penance, selfless sacrifice, and divine blessings, in the same way, today's revered Guru, Shri Guru Upendra Parashar Ji, embodies that living tradition. Through his guidance and grace, he is inspiring devotees with new direction, inner strength, and spiritual awakening in their lives.