Dattaram Gavand, a businessman, mystic, traveller and photographer, was born in Mumbai in 1917. The eldest child of his parents, he came to be called Dada or elder brother. Born with a philosophical and spiritual temperament Dada Gavand studied books on philosophy and spirituality and met and kept company with the likes of enlightened sages like Ramana Maharshi and Jiddu Krishnamurti and Mira Alfassa. Dada took over the family business at the age of 18 due to his father's demise and carried out the family responsibilities of taking care of his family till his brother and sisters married and settled in life. He chose to remain a bachelor himself and after taking care of his family responsibilities , focused on his spiritual interests, leaving his cozy home and retiring to a hut on Mount Sajjangad close to nature, and began an inquiry unto himself. This episode resulted in his enlightenment after six months. The following is an interesting account from his autobiography 'Intelligence beyond thought' which contains a description of his practices that led to his waking up or enlightenment. How Dada Gavand Woke Up
