Mukund Mandir in Akola is not just a place of worship, but a beacon of unity. Its most remarkable feature is the 51 idols installed within the temple, through which Dhondopant Mukund Deshpande conveyed a profound message — “Religion is not for division; it is meant to unite humanity.”

Typically, temples are dedicated to a single deity — Vishnu, Shiva, or a Goddess. However, at Mukund Mandir, Dhondopant deliberately ensured that multiple deities co-exist under one roof. His vision was clear — “All paths of religion ultimately lead to the same truth.”

The temple sanctum houses 51 idols arranged with careful planning and philosophical intent:

- Trimurti — Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh - Dashavatara — Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki - Shiva Panchayatan — Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya, Nandi - Vishnu Panchayatan — Vishnu, Lakshmi, Garuda, Shankha, Chakra - Surya and Navagraha — Planets in classical arrangement - Vitthal-Rukmini — Warkari tradition - Hanuman & Dattatreya — Devotion and Guru principle - Malhari Martand — Local Maharashtrian folk deity - Gautam Buddha & Mahavir — Compassion, non-violence, and restraint - Guru Granth Sahib — Sikh tradition - Four Vedas — Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda

Together, these idols represent a broad religious unity.

Each idol carries a message beyond its form:

- Trimurti — Creation, sustenance, and destruction; the life cycle - Dashavatara — Divine intervention to preserve Dharma across time - Shiva & Vishnu Panchayatan — Balance of power, male-female energies, religion and science - Buddha & Mahavir — Compassion, non-violence, simplicity - Guru Granth Sahib — Brotherhood and humanity - Four Vedas — Fundamental principles of knowledge and scripture

Dhondopant’s message was clear — all religions and traditions emerge from the same source of humanity.

In 1940–41, placing 51 diverse idols in one temple was unprecedented. Traditionalists initially opposed this. Dhondopant explained — “Gods may have different names, but their essence is one. These idols are different paths, but the destination is the same.” Gradually, this philosophy fostered unity in society.

Geetabai Deshpande actively managed daily worship, cleanliness, and idol care. Each deity was treated with equal devotion, teaching visitors that faith respects no divisions.

Visitors feel a unique experience seeing all deities in one place. A Shiva devotee sees Mahadev; a Warkari sees Vitthal-Rukmini; a Jain or Buddhist sees Buddha or Mahavir. This diverse yet inclusive approach contributed to the temple’s popularity, earning the saying: “At Mukund Mandir, all gods are together.”

In today’s world of religious conflict, the 51 idols’ message of unity becomes even more significant. Dhondopant’s vision reminds us that true strength lies in unity.

The 51 idols of Mukund Mandir are not just religious representations; they embody the philosophy of unity. The vision of Dhondopant Mukund Deshpande is a testimony to foresight and inclusiveness. Standing before these idols today, one realizes that religions may differ, but humanity is one.