Shri Vithal Ganesh Joshi, (later known as Shree Sadguru Digambardas Maharaj alias Shree Sahajanand Saraswati), initiated the multifaceted development activities at Dervan. He was addressed as “Shree Maharaj”.

His discipline, ever-alertness, keen sense of observation and meticulous planning skills were of supreme standards. He was like an ocean of Mercy. The phrase “Harder than a stone yet more tender than a flower” could aptly describe Shree Maharaj’s personality.

In 1969, Shree Digambardas Maharaj built a shrine in the honor of the saint Shree Sant Sitarambua Walawalkar at Shree Kshetra Dervan and with a grand plan in his mind, set up ”Shree Sant Sitarambua Walawalkar Charitable Trust”. “Shivsrushti” began taking shape in 1981 under the guidance of Shree Maharaj. It marked the beginning of various social and religious programs. Today, these have developed into a movement of social change. This village, which did not even have access to proper roads 50 years back, has today become a center of diverse activities related to Spirituality, Culture, Education, Healthcare and Sociology .This effort to build a virtuous and capable society has attracted the attention of not only the entire country but also of those from abroad.