Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

Introduction to Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple is one of the most famous Dattatreya Peethas. Ganagapur is associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy, the second incarnation of Dattatreya. It is on the banks of the River Bhima at Ganagapur village, Gulbarga district, Karnataka.

Legend of Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

Sri Narasimha Saraswati lived in Ganagapur continuously for 24 years. Sri Guru came to Ganagapur after staying at Narsobawadi. He used to visit Ganagapur only at noon for bhiksha.

Once, Guru visited the house of a poor Brahmin who had a barren buffalo. He asked the Brahmin lady to give him some milk as bhiksha. Though the lady said it was barren, Guru insisted.

Surprisingly, the barren buffalo started giving liters of milk. That news reached the head of the village (Gramadhipati). He then visited Sri Guru and asked him to stay at Ganagapur by establishing a Math there. This Math later came to be known as Nirguna Math due to the presence of Guru Maharaj in Nirguna roop here forever.

The Padukas of Sri Narasimha Saraswathi Swamy worshipped in Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple are brownish red. When devotees touch it, they feel soft like the limbs of a human. Sri Narasimha left his Padukas here before leaving for Kardalivan near Srisailam. He left his earthly body at Kardalivan near Srisailam and merged with the Parabrahm.

The Architecture of the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple features a typical Southern temple architectural style. The exact date of construction of this ancient temple remains unknown.

Nirguna Math is the main temple in the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple. Nirguna Padukas adorns it. There is a holy tree, Ashwattha, in Nirguna Math.

Devotees visit Ganagapur for Ashta Theertha Snan in large numbers. Devotees believe bathing in the Ashta Theerthams on Naraka Chaturdashi (Diwali) day is very beneficial. Shatkula Theertham,

Narasimha Theertham, Bhagirathi Theertham, Papavinashini Theertham, Koti Theertham, Rudrapada Theertham, Chakra Theertham, and Manmatha Theertham are the Ashta Theerthams in the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple.

Sangameshwar temple is at the backside of the main shrine. The importance of the temple is explained in Shree Gurucharitra. The Darshan of Shiva in Sangameshwar temple is the same as Kasi Vishweshwara Darshan. Shri Kalleshwar temple is famous in Ganagapur. Tantukeshwara temple is in front of the main shrine.

There is a tradition in Ganagapur called Madhukari. It is believed that Dattatreya had told the Ganagapur people that he would come to their homes daily for bhiksha. So, all the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple visitors participate in this tradition.

Offering "Madhukari" to the people at Ganagapur and taking bhiksha from at least five houses is an important event at this holy place. Even today, the devotees of Dattatreya are taking bhiksha every day at Ganagapur Kshetra.

Festivals in the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

The temple grandly celebrates Guru Purnima in July. Devotees have the Darshan of Nirguna Paduka, Veda Vyasa, and Adi Shankaracharya on this occasion. Paduka Pooja, Rudrabhisheka and Annadaanam are performed.

Shripada Shri Vallabha Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi, Devi Navaratri, and Dussehra, Guru Dwadashi, Diwali, Shri Datta Jayanti, Shri Narasimha Saraswati Jayanti, Datta Navratri, Hanuman Jayanti, Shri Shani Dev Jayanti, Kartikai Ekadashi, Ranga Panchami, Magha Mahotsav, and Maha Shivratri are other important festivals of the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Shri Kshetra Ganagapur Dattatreya Temple

The convergence of the Rivers Bhima and Amaraja is considered extremely holy. It is believed that devotees who take baths here can be relieved from their sins, and their wishes will be fulfilled. There is a belief that visiting the temple can relieve devotees of diseases and help them attain Moksha (salvation).