Our founder late Shri Dattatray Namdev Shirke alias D. N. Shirke, was man versatile in Painting, Photography and Astrology. He was a professional artist and photographer. He started the business of manufacturing Rubber Stamps in Kolhapur. It was his unique idea to publish an almanac that contained the complex Panchang information in a manner that could be easily understood by a layman. Thus in the Year 1944 he published an almanac (Varshik Panchang) by the Name M/s. D. N. Shirke & Sons. In a very short time this almanac became immensely popular in Kolhapur, Sangali, Satara & Belgaum regions. His sons viz Shripad, Jaywant & Sadashiv were working with him in this almanac business

Later in the year 1977 Late Shri. Sadashiv Shirke along with his two brothers took over the charge of almanac business from his father. He published for the first time 1977 an improved version of the almanac published by his father in 1944. He named this almanac as “Shri Mahalaxmi Panchang Dindarshika”. “Shri Mahalaxmi Dindarshika” contained vast information about all the Feasts & Fairs, Yatra, Jatra, Urus etc. events held across all towns and villages of Maharashtra. Sadashiv Shirke was a visionary man; he expanded the almanac business to 5 states and also published almanacs in languages other than Marathi. He also established a printing press for the purpose of printing almanacs. Today this printing press is popular as M/s. Premier Printers and is widely reputed in the field of printing & packaging. In his tenure he exceeded the sale figure of 5 million copies annually.