Three Key Phases in the History of Shri Datta Mandir — Establishment, Stabilization, and Public Transformation
The first two phases were carried out by Banoobai Deshmukh and the late Haribhau Joshi. However, the important work of truly making the temple a people’s temple was done by the next two generations. In this history, the Joshi family were not merely priests but also bearers of tradition, administrators, and agents of transformation.
Late Dattopant Joshi – Expanding Tradition and Initiating Public Access
After the passing of the late Haribhau Joshi, his eldest son the late Dattopant Joshi took over full responsibility for the temple. His personality was calm, scholarly, and well-versed in tradition. He understood that — “If the temple is to be sustained, it must become the property of the people.”
Thus, he did not simply continue daily worship according to tradition but also:
The bold decision to convert the temple into a ‘Public Trust’
At that time, taking a temple out of the exclusive management of a family and converting it into a public trust was not easy. It required voluntarily giving up some family control. However, Dattopant Joshi had a broad vision:
Through this approach, he transformed the temple into a public trust. As a result, the temple’s identity strengthened as a public spiritual center rather than a private place.
Leadership and Legacy
Dattopant Joshi remained the trust president until his lifetime. Under his leadership, the temple gained order, security, and formal structure. After his passing, his younger brother, the late Lakshmikant Joshi, took over as president. His approach was highly efficient, progressive, and skilled in public relations.