The recent buzz around the film Hanuman Ansh has once again turned attention toward the personal side of the saint linked to Kainchi Dham. Millions of devotees travel to Kainchi Dham every year seeking blessings, and many credit their wishes being fulfilled there, yet very little is known about his household, his wife and his three children. Much has been written about his spiritual journey, but the story of the family he left behind is just as compelling. Here is a closer look at that lesser known family history.
Born Pandit Laxmi Narayan Sharma, married at a young age
Available information suggests the saint's birth name was Pandit Laxmi Narayan Sharma. He was married at a young age to Rambeti Sharma, who is also referred to in some accounts as Ram Beti Devi. The couple went on to have two sons and a daughter. As the family grew, he gradually drifted away from worldly responsibilities toward devotion and spiritual practice, a path that eventually led him to Kainchi Dham and to the following he has today.
Elder son Anek Singh Sharma settled in Bhopal, passed away in 2021
The first child born to the couple was a son, Anek Singh Sharma. He settled in Bhopal along with his wife and children and spent his life there. According to available reports, he passed away in November 2021. He is survived by one son and one daughter. His son, Dhananjay Sharma, worked as a doctor and, after retiring from government service, currently lives in Bhopal.
Younger son Dharma Narayan Sharma worked as a forest ranger, later settled in Vrindavan
The second son, Dharma Narayan Sharma, began his career as a ranger with the forest department. After retiring from service, he made Vrindavan his home and spent the rest of his life there devoted to spiritual practice. He passed away in April 2021. He has six daughters, Sunita, Archana, Vandana, Bhavna, Ritu and Richa, who today live in different cities with their own families and rarely feature in public accounts of the family.
Daughter Girija Devi, also known as Girija Bhatele, lives in Agra
The third and last child was a daughter, Girija Devi, who later also came to be known as Girija Bhatele. According to available reports, she currently lives in Agra. She too is said to have renounced worldly attachments and devoted her life to Hanuman devotion and service. Among the three children, Girija Bhatele is the only one currently reported to be alive, since both her brothers have passed away. That is precisely why her name carries special significance for anyone tracing the saint's family history today.
Wife Rambeti Sharma passed away in 1995
Once the saint moved fully onto the spiritual path, the responsibility of running the household fell on his wife, Rambeti Sharma. Accounts involving daughter Girija also recall family memories shared with her mother during that period. According to family sources, Rambeti Sharma passed away on 15 June 1995, so describing her as currently alive would not be accurate. Taken together, the only child of the saint currently confirmed to be alive is daughter Girija Bhatele, while his wife and both sons have passed away. Even so, his legacy continues to live on through the faith of his devotees and the memories his family still carries forward.
